WHY DO CATS LIKE BLEACH? REASONS, ADVICE, AND REMEDIES

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Why do cats like bleach? It is not uncommon to see cats licking the floor after just cleaning using bleach. Cats do many weird things. However, licking bleach is possibly one of the scarier things and dangerous at the same time.

Cats like bleach because they think its smell resembles catnip (a sort of cat weed) or believe it is urine from another cat marking the territory. Finally, bleach smells like another cat wanting to mate or smells like a stranger coming into their territory, which they need to inspect.

Let’s see why cats like so much to rub themselves against bleach.

Table of Contents

WHY DO CATS LIKE BLEACH?

There isn’t a straightforward, clear answer as to why cats like bleach or why they like the smell of bleach, but there are practical theories derived from observations and general knowingness about cats’ behavior.

For sure, something in the chemical composition of bleach attracts cats and makes them feel like they have to roll into it, lick it, and rub against it. Substances like bleach and ammonia contain chemicals resembling other substances cats are very familiar with and fond of.

Chlorine may trigger a hormonal reaction due to the particular scent, making cats’ Pheromones active.

Pheromones: A pheromone (from Ancient Greek φέρω phero “to bear” and hormone) is a secreted or excreted chemical factor that triggers a social response in members of the same species. Pheromones are chemicals capable of acting like hormones outside the body of the secreting individual, impacting the behavior of the receiving individuals.
Ref. Wikipedia

To clarify, chlorine scent acts like other cats’ secreted hormones, and of course, cats that come in contact with that smell react in a fun way. This is what happens: male cats produce and expel certain hormones.

They go around rubbing themselves against objects, letting the scent of the hormones he produces on things and people with the purpose of signaling different things to other cats. But, of course, the first things they want to make clear are the boundaries of their territory and then sending mating signals.

DOES BLEACH MAKE CATS HIGH?

Somehow chlorine gives cats the same sensation as catnip. Something in the chemical composition of chlorine or ammonia resembles cat weed. When cats come in contact with the chemicals in bleach, they can act really funny and do many weird things.

Here is what you can expect cats to do when they smell bleach:

Licking the floor or surfaces
Rolling on the floor or over the spot with bleach
Droll
Purr

In summary, chlorine resembles the scent cats naturally produce, which indicates:

Another cat wants to mate
Another cat marking territory (chlorine resembling urine smell)
Territory intrusion or stranger entering the house
Resembles like cat weed
Vocalization around the area with bleach

BLEACHING FLOORS WITH CATS: HOW TO DO IT?

If you need to use bleach to clean the floor, you have to be prepared to get a reaction from your cats. It is unsafe for them to walk on the floor while it is wet, especially because they can rub on it and then lick their fur, ingesting harmful chemicals.

Or they may lick the floor surface, ingesting chlorine directly. In addition, chlorine emanates harmful fumes when mixed with other products, and you and your cat can get intoxicated by it.

Chlorine is used a lot to kill harmful bacteria in water, to keep the water clean in swimming pools,s and in general as part of sanitation processes for sewage; thus, it is a potent agent and harmful to pets and humans.

If you clean the floor or any surface with bleach, pets have to stay away until the floor is completely dried. This means that all the chlorine has gassed into the air, and there is nothing left on the floor.

Open the window to let air circulate and allow the fumes to leave the house. If you still smell chlorine when in the room after you have cleaned. Let the windows open to let the gas go away.

DOES BLEACH ATTRACT CATS TO PEE?

Bleach can attract cats to pee because some of the chemicals in bleach can resemble cats’ pee, and it can confuse a cat who might pee in places where bleach has been used.

It is not a good idea to use bleach to clean the area where there is the litter box or the litter box unless you let it dry completely and let a lot of air circulate through the room to let the smell and the fumes go out of the house.

IS BLEACH HARMFUL TO CATS?

Yes, bleach is poisonous and harmful to cats. Suppose the cat drinks bleach or licks it. They may become sick. However, household bleach is commonly irritating and not corrosive. This is excellent news if any of your cats decide to feast on bleach.

If you have cats, maybe it is better not to use bleach for house cleaning in general, and for the parts of the house that need bleach, you could make sure cats are taken to another room behind a closed door.

Cats are sneaky. They can start licking bleach the moment you are not looking.

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CAT LIKS BLEACH?

Bleach irritates the mouth and digestive system; it may cause vomiting sometimes. The house bleach is typically creating irritation, and it can give the following symptoms:

Coughing
Difficulty breathing
Fluids inside the lungs
Burning in the mouth
Throat pain
Stomach pain
Vomiting
Blood in the stools

Cats can experience redness and irritation on the skin and around the mouth. In addition, your pet may be pawing at the mouth or acting abnormally. But, if you suspect that your cat has had a lot of bleach, which is the reason for the sickness, check with the veterinarian immediately.

HOW TO TREAT A CAT WHO HAS INGESTED BLEACH?

If your cat has ingested bleach, the first thing to do is call the vet and get directions. Then, while waiting for the vet visit, you can start implementing the following remedies:

Let’s make sure the source of poisoning is taken care of. Whether you were cleaning with bleach or the cats found it in the toilet, let’s make sure he can’t reach it anymore.
Rinse the cat’s mouth with water to remove any bleach leftovers
Offer water or milk to the cat
Make sure the veterinarian finally see the cats, check the stomach and the lungs and any other part that need checking

The vet can act accordingly, and in severe cases, cats may need oxygen, fluids, pain killers, medicines for the gastrointestinal tract, pain killers, and various tests to take further actions if needed.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Will bleach kill cat pee smell?

Bleach will not kill cat pee smell completely. Chlorine will disinfect, yes, but it will not take away the smell. Simple remedies can be baking soda, vinegar, soap, and hydrogen peroxide to take away the smell.

Can bleach fumes harm cats?

Bleach fumes can be harmful to cats and humans when the bleach is mixed with other chemicals. However, fumes from bleach alone are not dangerous. If there isn’t actual bleach your cat is drinking or leaking, it should not be a real danger.

What I do if my cat got bleach on its fur?

You smell bleach on your cat, take water and soap and clean him out. Make sure there is no bleach left that he may lick out later.

Is it dangerous to clean cat urine using bleach?

It can be dangerous to clean a cat’s urine using bleach because ammonia in the cat’s urine mixed with bleach can create strong fumes. A person could pass out from inhaling such fumes.

Can cats die from drinking bleach?

Cats can die from drinking bleach if they drink too much of it. Even if cats do not die from it, they can become very sick.

How Can Bleach Poisoning Be Prevented?

It can be prevented by closing doors, making sure cats are in another room, or not using bleach that often. One can find an excellent alternative to bleach. If bleaching is necessary, cats must be moved to another place to prevent them from going crazy.