When you spot a spider or a cockroach scuttling across the floor, your first instinct is often to grab the closest aerosol spray from under the sink. But if you have furry family members, it's crucial to stop and ask: Is this actually safe for my dog or cat?

The short answer is no, many standard supermarket bug sprays carry significant risks for pets.

Most over-the-counter DIY pest sprays contain active ingredients like permethrin or pyrethrins. While generally safe for humans in low doses, these chemicals can be highly toxic to our pets, particularly cats. Cats lack specific liver enzymes needed to break down these compounds, making even a small exposure potentially deadly.

When you spray an aerosol can, the chemical doesn't just hit the bug. It settles on the floor, your carpets, and your skirting boards. Dogs and cats spend their lives close to the ground. They walk across these treated surfaces and then groom themselves, ingesting the toxic residue directly.