Overview
Pets can be a source for mold
Mold can make pets sick too.
Pets can spread mold throughout your home.
Guide
The Problems
Pets Can Be A Source for Mold In Your Home
There are many sources for mold exposure beyond water damaged building materials— including our pets. When pets live indoors they are likely contributors to mold, yeast, and bacteria contamination. The fur of pets, similar to carpet, can be a reservoir for mold spores. The mold can get into their fur through digging in decaying debris outside, or by laying on dust inside of a mold contaminated environment. Once mold is present within the pet’s fur, it can be distributed into the indoor environment by agitation of the fur when they run around inside, rub against furniture, or are petted.
Mold Can Make Pets Sick
Mold can affect pet’s health in similar ways to how humans are affected. The mycotoxins produced by molds are dangerous to pets and can produce many symptoms, a depressed immune system, and even cancer. If the pet’s immune system is depressed, the mold, yeast, and bacteria can also grow internally or on their skin/fur. Pets can also have opportunistic mold, yeast, and bacteria infections, or simply be allergic to the molds that they are exposed to.
Mold Prevention & Recommendations
How To Prevent Pets From Being A Mold Risk
Although source removal is always the best way of addressing mold issues, very few people are willing to get rid of their pets. Therefore, treatment is the best option. To learn more about finding out if your pet has mold read the My Pet Might Have Mold? article. It’s essential to identify and address mold problems in your home to protect your family and your pets.Â
1
Test Your Pet for Mold
essential
Start with a tap test to determine if the pet is moldy. DIY testing with $3 plates is appropriate.Â
2
Safely Treat Your Pets for Mold
essential
Wash Your Pets Regularly –Â Wash your pets with your favorite pet shampoo. We like CitriSafe Pet Shampoo for its bio-balancing properties.Â
If you can
Test After Washing – When the pet is dry, repeat the tap test to determine effectiveness of the washing process. Tap test periodically (e.g. – once a week) to determine how quickly the pet becomes moldy. This will determine how often the pet should be bathed.Â
3
Treat Their Things & Their Areas
essential
Wash Pet’s Bedding & Toys –Â Reduce the risk of mold spreading by maintaining your pets bed and blankets. Wash their bedding with CitriSafe Laundry Detergent regularly.Â
recommended
Treat for mold in the rooms they spend most of their time – Periodically treat the home, especially where the pet spends the most time, with the HavenMist kit.
4
Test You Home for Mold
essential
Every 6-12 months check your indoor air for mold growth with the Mold Check-Up. If your results show significant mold growth, that could be an indication of mold growth from your pet or other sources.