It's an easy mistake to make but it could be putting your pet at risk11:34, 03 Aug 2026There’s a simple bathroom mistake many of us make without thinking, and it could put your pet at risk.‌If you’ve used bleach or other strong toilet cleaners, a curious dog or cat may jump up to investigate and end up licking the bowl. According to the charity, People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), pets are curious characters and quick to explore anything and everything - unfortunately, this also includes the things that can harm them.‌The charity warns that bleach and other disinfectants may irritate or burn the mouth and throat, upset the stomach if swallowed, and can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea or drooling. In more serious cases, exposure to harsh chemicals can cause significant injury and may even be fatal.‌With this in mind, they urge owners to "practice good habits" and close the toilet lid, especially after using bleach or other cleaning products. It explains: "Learning good habits will minimise the danger for your pets."Mop buckets should always be emptied and rinsed out to remove any traces of bleach or other chemicals. After putting any cleaning product down the toilet, be sure to close the lid so your pet can’t drink from it.‌"If you use a toilet block regularly, get into the habit of always putting the toilet lid down and keeping the toilet door closed - this way, your pet has no chance of coming into harm's way."If you're cleaning the bathroom as whole, it's a good idea to close the door to prevent your four-legged friend from coming into contact with any cleaning products. Only allow them back into the room once everything has dried.What are the signs my pet has been exposed to cleaning products?If your pet has come into contact with a cleaning product, they may experience the following:‌Ulcers or sore looking skin on their paws, inside their mouth or on their tongueBeing sickCoughing much more than usualCollapsingFatigueTrouble eatingDribbling or foaming at the mouthRubbing their face and mouth with their pawsPDSA caution: "If your pet is displaying one or more of these symptoms, you should ring your vet straight away and give your vet as much information as possible about what your pet may have been exposed to as this will help them to quickly identify the right treatment. If you know the exact product, take the packaging with you and hand it to the vet."Remember, accidents can happen in a moment, and when they do, pets need the right care quickly - but veterinary treatment can be expensive. If your pet becomes unexpectedly ill or is injured, having pet insurance in place can help cover veterinary bills and give you peace of mind.‌Bootsie's storyRecalling a real-life story, the charity said that a cat, Bootsie, drank bleach from a toilet and quickly became seriously unwell. His owner later found him collapsed on his blanket, dribbling and making unusual noises, so they called PDSA immediately for advice. Bootsie was then rushed to the Leicester Pet Hospital for emergency treatment.It explained: "Our team of vets carried out many tests to rule out other conditions before giving Bootsie intensive treatment for exposure to bleach. He had severe throat burns and ulcers in his mouth and needed to stay in hospital for several days before he was ready to go home.Article continues below"Thankfully, Bootsie made a full recovery, but his story shows just how important it is to keep our precious pets away from the dangers of cleaning products." You can read Bootsie's full story here.