Dryer Sheets: BEWARE
July 15, 2010 by Posting Puppy
Filed under Announcements
There is a well-meaning but dangerous tip on the Internet about using dryer sheets to remove loose hair from cats or dogs and to reduce natural static when the humidity is low. But is it a safe tip? Dryer sheets repel static because they are full of cationics and other chemicals. Formulas vary from product to product, but your favorite fabric softener or dryer sheet may contain benzyl acetate, camphor, or even chloroform.
None of this is good for pets. The Merck Veterinary Manual warns that cationic detergents, which are present in fabric softeners and dryer sheets, can cause a variety of problems for animals ranging from minor irritation to widespread systemic distress and pulmonary edema. Animals lick their fur and the areas on which they rest, so using dryer sheets to remove fur is dangerous.
Dryer sheets should never be stored where an animal can ingest them or play with them. Kidney failure is just one of the problems that can occur.
Source: http://laundry.about.com/od/laundryproductsafety/qt/petsdryersheet.htm
Dog Beds and Pet Hair! on Tue, 3rd Aug 2010 5:48 pm
I agree that dryer sheets are a bad idea, especially when you really don’t know what effect a dryer sheet or oil will have on an animal!
I usually use the same method to get rid of hair on my pet that I use to get rid of hair my pet beds… rubber gloves! I also have a pair of velvet gloves that works really well, but you have to wash them between usages since they work so well.