Cancer in cats: Home environment concerns
DEAR DR. FOX: We have two cats who run our house. We like to use essential oils and perfumes within the house, but are concerned that they may be harmful to the cats. We have Air Wicks and steaming oils, as well as oils and perfumes that we used to drop in the vacuum bag to spread the aromas while cleaning the house. We currently do not use them due to this concern.
Previously, two of our (completely indoor) cats died of lung cancer. Is our concern a legitimate one? – S.D., Mantoloking, New Jersey
DEAR S.D.: I am saddened to hear about the demise of your two cats, and I think your concerns are warranted. I am concerned about the TV advertisements I see for all kinds of scented products and upholstery sprays containing volatile chemicals.
Some essential oils, under strict veterinary supervision, can be beneficial for cats. For example, a few drops of essential oil of lavender can be calming when placed under a towel where a cat likes to lie down.
But like the canaries in the mine shaft, warning humans of carbon monoxide, our animal companions are in a comparable situation as environmental monitors in our homes. Their paws and bodies can pick up various chemicals in floor cleaners, carpets and carpet padding; they inhale toxins from fresh household wall paint; and they rub up against, inhale and lick off their fur “forever chemicals” – various volatile organic compounds in carpeting and upholstery. Synthetic fibers may turn into irritating and potentially toxic microfiber “dust,” which our pets inhale.
One review details these and other health risks to us and our animal companions: See “Ten questions concerning the implications of carpet on indoor chemistry and microbiology” by Sarah
Haines et al., published in Building and Environment in December 2019.
According to the Environmental Working Group, carpets can contain over 100 known toxins, including benzene, formaldehyde, styrene and flame retardants. Added features like stain resistance can further increase the range of toxins. Fortunately, there are nontoxic rugs and carpeting available that use natural fibers with natural backing (or no backing) and are not chemically treated. For more details, go to ewg.org/ healthyhomeguide/carpet.
My advice is to use cotton, hemp, grass or wool carpeting that is untreated and removable. Some carpets and rugs will even withstand laundering. Placing cotton sheets over upholstery can protect both cats and furniture.
Risk of eating venison from CWDinfected deer
According to a study in Neurology, two men who died of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in 2022 both regularly hunted deer, ate venison and lived in an area where chronic wasting disease (CWD) was/is present in local deer. The findings raise the possibility that people may be susceptible to the prion that causes CWD, but the researchers cautioned that a causal relationship was not demonstrated. Further investigation is needed.
From the study’s abstract: “CWD, a prion disease prevalent in North American deer, has raised concerns due to its possible link to CJD. Although no conclusive evidence of cross-species prion transmission exists, vigilance for such cases is crucial for public health.” (Full story: Neurology.org, April 9)
Guard dogs help deter grizzly bears from ranches
Guard dogs may keep grizzly bears away from farms and ranches, according to a study in Biological Conservation. Bears are attracted to spilled grain, which draws them close to homesteads and work areas on these farms. Although it was a small, preliminary sample, GPS tracker data from grizzlies and guard dogs revealed that 88% fewer bears venture within 300 meters of farms with dogs than those without.