As many homeowners know, mold is a terrible thing! Not only does it cause damage to your home, but it can also result in severe health problems if left untreated.

But, what about your pets? Mold can affect your pets just as much as it can affect you. In fact, if mold is present it will often cause your pets to get sick faster and more frequently. Since household pets are generally much smaller than humans, their likelihood of being exposed to mold-related illnesses is significantly increased.

The symptoms you’ll see in your pet will vary from animal to animal. Due to size, the symptom(s) you see in your 50lb dog will be different than the symptom(s) you see in your 5lb rabbit or 1lb hamster. Some common symptoms you may see in your pets if they are exposed to mold include:

• Excessive scratching (with no fleas present)
  • Sores may develop from excessive scratching
• Excessive licking
• Hair loss
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Runny nose & eyes
• Labored breathing
• Wheezing sound when breathing
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargic

You should be familiar with your pet’s normal behavior, such as their eating habits or energy levels. If you notice any behaviors out of the ordinary, contact your local vet. Your vet can also provide with you with more information about mold and how it may affect your pet(s).

If you believe your pet is suffering from mold exposure symptoms, contact your vet immediately. If you’re unable to get an appointment right away, remove your pet from the house to avoid continued exposure. If your pet reenters the home while the mold is still present, it can result in permanent damage to their respiratory system.

Often, homeowners will wipe down the mold affected surface with bleach. While the surface of the material will be mold-free, the surface is still not safe. Mold often grows deep into porous material and bleach can only hit the top of a surface, leaving a good majority of the mold left to grow back. For more information on why bleach doesn’t completely kill mold, check out our blog post, Why Bleach Doesn’t Kill Mold.

For professional mold removal services, submit a form online or call us at 314-227-3932.

About Woodard Cleaning & Restoration

Woodard Cleaning & Restoration was founded in 1946 by Earl and Nancy Woodard. Located in St. Louis, Missouri, Woodard services the greater metro area (Illinois, St. Charles County, Jefferson County, St. Louis County, and many more). Woodard is proud to serve as the preferred provider for cleaning & restoration services. Our cleaning services include carpet, hard surface, furniture, and rug cleaning for both residential and commercial properties. We also provide water, fire, board-up, storm and smoke restoration services for residential and commercial clients. For information or questions submit a form online or call us at 314-227-3932.

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Updated 08/16/2015