What should you do if your cat eats a paper towel?

Curious cats and kittens can attack all sorts of inappropriate objects in the home. There are many dangerous chemicals and objects in the average home. Among them are fabric softeners, whether they are dryer sheets or liquid formulations. You may think something like a paper towel sheet is safe, but it’s actually a very dangerous thing for your cat to eat.

The danger of dryer sheets to cats

Dryer sheets and water softeners often contain harsh chemicals called cationic surfactants. These chemicals are present in high concentrations and are released into the dryer. The chemicals coat fabrics to reduce static cling and soften their texture. Also, most dryer sheets are made from synthetic materials that do not break down easily in the gastrointestinal tract. These two characteristics make dryer sheets very dangerous to cats.

Cats are often very sensitive to chemicals, and fabric softener chemicals are no exception. Caustic chemicals can cause irritation and ulceration in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. Skin irritation can also occur. In severe cases, ingestion of these harmful chemicals can cause organ damage or central nervous system depression.

Besides, a cat that ingests a dried leaf may develop a gastrointestinal obstruction. An obstruction in the gastrointestinal tract can lead to serious illness and even death. In many cases, gastrointestinal obstructions must be removed surgically or endoscopically. These procedures can increase your cat’s health risks.

Second, the chemicals in softeners can irritate the skin, mucous membranes, and stomach lining. In high concentrations, the damage can be severe and manifest itself as burns or ulcers. Besides, some of these chemicals can cause lung damage, central nervous system depression, and acute kidney disease.

What if your cat eats the fabric softener?

If you suspect that your cat has eaten a fabric softener sheet or drunk fabric softener liquid, you must contact your veterinarian immediately. Never attempt to induce vomiting, as this can increase irritation of the esophagus and mouth. Gather all the details to share with your veterinarian, such as the brand of chemical, the time your cat ate it, the approximate amount ingested.

Depending on the situation, your veterinarian may recommend that you take your cat to the animal hospital for treatment. Your veterinarian may recommend treatment at home, but it’s more likely that you’ll have to go to the vet in person. Try to bring the softener packet with you so the vet can determine exactly what your cat has eaten. Your veterinarian may need to contact animal poison control to learn more about the toxicity of that specific brand.

Keeping Your Cat Safe

The best way to prevent cats from eating dryer sheets is to keep them out of reach of cats. All household chemicals should be stored out of reach and, if possible, behind closed doors. Curious cats are persistent and tend to get into places where they don’t belong.

If you don’t have a laundry room with a lockable door, chemicals should be stored high and behind secure cabinet doors. Keep washer and dryer doors closed at all times.

Although used dryer sheets have lower concentrations of chemicals, this does not mean they are safe. The residual chemicals may be sufficient to irritate a cat’s skin and mouth as a result of self-deception. Also, ingestion of used dried leaves can cause intestinal obstruction.

Many cats like to snuggle in clean, warm clothing. Your cat may find a random dry leaf to lick or eat. That’s why you should keep clean clothes out of reach and dispose of used dry sheets in a place where your cat can’t find them. Better yet, fold and store cloth clothes as soon as they come out of the dryer.
Although “natural” and organic products are potentially less harmful, they are not necessarily safe. However, they should be kept out of reach of pets in the home. If your cat ingests a natural fabric softener, you should consult your veterinarian.

Do not use fabric softener on your cat’s litter box, as the chemical residue can still cause problems. Remember that cats are finicky and can put chemicals in their mouths.

You may have heard of people using dryer sheets to remove your cat’s dead hair and reduce shedding. This is not recommended, as your cat may lick the chemical residue off its fur.

Consider safer alternatives to chemical fabric softeners, such as wool or plastic dryer balls. They can soften fabrics in the dryer without the need for chemicals. You may also find that adding clean tennis balls to your dryer works well to soften fabrics.