The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Pet Friendly Paint
Life is always better with a pet. As responsible pet owners we have always been careful about what we feed our pets and what we let them play with. Living with a cat or dog can make your home a lot messier, as your four-legged friend can cause trouble in your home- especially during painting.
Moreover, we know our pets are susceptible to things humans don’t have to consider. While many of us know chocolate can be toxic to our pets, how many know that some domestic painting products can be equally harmful to our loving friends? Pet owners should always keep their animals at the front of their mind, and choose pet-friendly paint and varnishes.
The Dangers of Paint for Pets
While we think of repainting as being an innocuous matter, paints can have a disastrous effect on the health of our pets. Traditional paints are so toxic to our four-legged friends because of the mixture of dangerous chemicals that they contain, which includes solvents and volatile organic compounds. These chemicals create an emission of toxic gasses, which can dreadfully affect pets.
Unfortunately, the full extent of the harm caused by these toxic gasses is unknown. Still, symptoms can include irritation to eyes and skin, causing pets to become dazed or dizzy and, in extreme cases, full body hair loss. Paints are not the only dangerous decorating products; it’s also important to keep an eye on varnishes, paint removers and white spirits.
You perhaps think that keeping doors and windows open will let these gasses escape, but this is not always true. Pets are most vulnerable while paints are drying, but fumes can still be released long after they have dried. The danger isn’t limited to the inhalation of these gasses, as pets can ingest these toxic substances by licking or eating the paint.
Enter Toxic-Free Tints
While considering your paint options, be sure to check the label and select a product that is non-toxic. Formulas made from natural ingredients such as plant dyes, water, and essential oils are excellent, but sometimes don’t have pigments potent enough to make the color pop. We recommend a product line which has zero VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and therefore discharges little to no harmful fumes.
Go For a Stain-Proof Color
Before you get carried away painting your dining room in every color of the rainbow, there are a couple of matters every pet lover should consider. Firstly, colors like bright red, green and blue will tend to show smudges. Secondly, if you go for a darker tone, we recommend a natural shade like charcoal, brown or olive. These tones look cleaner, as most smudges and scratches will blend in unnoticed. You could also consider a soft white cream; that way when a stain rears its ugly head, you can jump in and touch-up smoothly and swiftly.
The Right Finish Makes All the Difference
Probably the most critical part of pet-friendly paint selection is the finish you choose. With so many options available, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and pick up the first one you see. Take a peek at the label and make sure you have a lower sheen finish, such as a semi-gloss. Semi-gloss and satin finishes have just the right amount of luster to avert smudges that come from tails, claws, and paws.
Safety Measures If You Can’t Use Pet Friendly Paint
- As we know, our pets will try to eat anything, so keep all decorating products out of reach to stop them from accidentally ingesting something which could cause them harm.
- If possible, find someone to look after your pets during the painting process, this way they can be out of the house for a while – away from any potential danger.
- Ensure the room you’re painting is well ventilated; this will help in remove toxic gasses.
- Keep an eye on your pets to check that they haven’t become sick. If they come down with any of the symptoms earlier mentioned, go to the vet immediately.
- If you have any queries regarding the safety of a product around your pets, consult with painting service company or manufacturers who can give you clear and detailed information.
