The Hidden Dangers in Your Home: How Everyday Toxins Might Be Harming Your Cat
Why indoor cats may be exposed to 23x more toxins—and how to reduce the risk
I’ve gotta admit… I used to light candles, keep my windows shut all day and use any ‘ole detergent on my clothes.
I also always tried to me my apartment smell good—but I never gave much thought to what that actually meant for the cats in my life.
That is… until I interviewed Jae and Adrienne (aka The Two Crazy Cat Ladies) for the Feline Wellness Summit. We were talking about everyday ways to support indoor cats when they hit me with a stat I can’t stop thinking about:
Indoor cats have 23x more household chemicals in their bloodstream than the humans in the same home.
And more than twice as much as dogs.
Here I am, trying to feed Niko and Milo high quality food, build enrichment routines into their daily lives and be a better cat dad —and I’d completely overlooked what might be silently harming them every day.
Let’s talk about what I learned about the toxins in our home from my interview with The Two Crazy Cat Ladies. If you would like to listen to an audio clip of the interview, you can tune in below.
🧼 Toxins in the Air (and Under Their Paws)
Jae and Adrienne broke it down: the most toxic thing in our homes isn’t bleach or bug spray. It’s fragrance.
Yep, the stuff we associate with “clean.”
Plug-ins, candles, aerosol sprays, fabric refreshers—they all contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that don’t just vanish into the air. They settle into carpets, cling to furniture, coat your cat’s fur… and then your cat grooms.
And cats, being the self-bathing pros they are, spend up to 40% of their waking hours grooming. That’s a lot of licking up mystery particles.
Even laundry detergents, floor cleaners, and “scent booster” products can build up over time—and may contribute to asthma, allergies, or long-term illnesses like cancer. Not exactly the legacy I want to leave behind as a cat dad.
🎯 Where to Start (Without Panic Purging Your Entire House)
Okay, take a breath—this isn’t about perfection. The Two Crazy Cat Ladies emphasized that this is a process, not a personality change. You don’t need to throw everything out today.
Start here:
✅ Ditch plug-in air fresheners and scented sprays.
✅ Swap your floor and counter cleaners for a DIY mix of vinegar + water.
✅ Want it to smell better? Add lemon or orange peels to the mix 🍊
✅ Open a few windows for 10–15 minutes a day (yes, even if it’s chilly).
✅ Add a small air purifier near your cat’s favorite nap zone if you can.
They also recommended a super helpful book: The Forever Dog Life by Dr. Karen Becker & Rodney Habib.
Ignore the dog on the cover—it’s packed with cat-safe cleaning recipes and great info on holistic home environments.
🐱 What I’m Doing for Niko & Milo
This convo honestly brought up some guilt. I thought about Mia and Nomar… all the plug-ins, holiday candles, and “ooh-this-smells-clean” sprays I used during their lives.
I can’t change the past—but I can make different choices now for Niko and Milo.
So here’s what I’ve started doing:
🕯️ No more plug-ins or candles. I miss the cozy vibe, but not enough to risk their health.
🧽 I switched to a citrus-infused vinegar spray for counters and floors. It works, smells okay, and I feel like I’m doing something good every time I use it.
🌬️ I open two windows every morning, even if it’s just for 10 minutes while I make coffee.
💨 I bought a little air purifier that now hums near their favorite window perch.
🧺 I switched to a chemical free/toxin free laundry detergent to wash my clothes, sheets and towels. The brand I am currently using is called Clean People.
The best part? They seem so much more alert and playful lately. Or maybe that’s me projecting. Either way—it feels good.
💬 Let’s Hear From You
Have you ever thought about household toxins from your cat’s perspective?
Is there a product you’ve swapped out—or are thinking about swapping—to make your home a little healthier for your furry roommates?
Hit reply or drop a comment—I’d love to hear what you’re doing, learning, or wondering about. This is how we grow together as cat people. 🐾
💛 Scott | Golden Whiskers