There are numerous emails travelling around stating that the Swiffer Wet Jet and Febreze spray are toxic to cats and dogs.
The circulating email states that swiffers are “one molecule away from antifreeze”. This is just not true. The cleaning product in a swiffer contains a small amount of propylene glycol which is quite different than ethylene glycol which is in antifreeze.
The email claimed that the Swiffer caused liver failure because of the similarity to antifreeze. However, antifreeze causes kidney failure.
Another email claims that febreze is toxic to pets which is simply not true either. Toxicologists have studied febreze and have found no risk to household animals at all.
So, you can safely use these products in your home!
If you have any concerns about toxicities and your pets I would love to hear from you. You can reach me at www.askavetquestion.com.
Want to ask Dr. Marie a vet question? Want to see questions that other people have asked? Check out www.askavetquestion.com.
July 2nd, 2009 - 3:11 pm
Part of the confusion is that propylene glycol IS used as an antifreeze alternative. It is the alternative to ethyeine glycol because it is so much less toxic