Household products
Is bleach toxic to cats and dogs?
Also sold as sodium hypochlorite, household bleach
Cats
ToxicDogs
Mildly toxicDiluted household bleach usually causes mouth and stomach irritation rather than serious poisoning. Concentrated products can burn the mouth and gullet. Don’t make your pet sick — call your vet.
By Maya HartIf your pet got into it
- Rinse your pet’s mouth with water, wash bleach off the fur, and call your vet or a poison helpline.
- Do not make your pet vomit.
Signs to watch for
- Drooling and pawing at the mouth
- Vomiting
- Red or burned mouth
- Coughing if fumes were inhaled
How much is dangerous
Licking a diluted surface rarely causes more than drooling. Drinking concentrated bleach is serious.
Keeping it safe
- Keep pets out while cleaning and until surfaces are dry
- Never mix bleach with other cleaners
The details
Cats are more often affected because they groom residue from their paws and fur. Fumes from mixing bleach with ammonia or acids are dangerous to people and pets alike.
Questions owners ask
Is bleach toxic to cats?
Yes — toxic.
Is bleach toxic to dogs?
Yes — mildly toxic.
How much is dangerous?
Licking a diluted surface rarely causes more than drooling. Drinking concentrated bleach is serious.
What should I do if my pet got into it?
Rinse your pet’s mouth with water, wash bleach off the fur, and call your vet or a poison helpline. Do not make your pet vomit.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts