# Cats (or dogs) and spraying for bugs.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-or-dogs-and-spraying-for-bugs/453219>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 17, 2008, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-or-dogs-and-spraying-for-bugs/453219 "2008-06-17T16:14:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mazinger\_z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@mazinger\_z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mazinger_z)\
**Post date:** [June 17, 2008, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-or-dogs-and-spraying-for-bugs/453219/1 "2008-06-17T16:14:01Z")

</div>

My girlfriend left her cats with me while she goes and visits her parents for the week. One of my friends left the screen door open when we were grilling and over the course of a few days I’ve noticed ants (bigger than average) and wasps. The most efficient way for me to deal with it is to use bug spray. My friend tells me not to spray because the cats will then walk over it and lick their paws and throw up all over my house or worse. The warnings on the can relate to inhalation. Is there a serious risk to these cats?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\
**Post date:** [June 17, 2008, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-or-dogs-and-spraying-for-bugs/453219/2 "2008-06-17T16:20:16Z")

</div>

I spray _Raid “Max”_ in my apartment and door and window sills. Kitty’s just fine and I’ve been doing this for years. The stuff probably tastes just as bad as it smells to a cat. Also, I’ve seen my cat eat bugs that were dying from the residual protection of the spray. No problems.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\
**Post date:** [June 17, 2008, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-or-dogs-and-spraying-for-bugs/453219/3 "2008-06-17T16:42:52Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> May be harmful if swallowed or inhaled. Avoid breathing vapors. Causes moderate eye irritation. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling. Remove contaminated clothing and wash clothing before reuse. May cause contact sensitization following repeated contact with the skin of some individuals. **Do not remain in enclosed areas during use. Keep out of treated area for four hours. Ventilate enclosed area for 30 minutes before reoccupying. Remove pets and birds and cover and turn off fish aquariums before spraying.** All food preparation surfaces should be covered during application and thoroughly cleaned after use.

Source: [Raid® Insect Control | SC Johnson](http://www.killsbugsdead.com/fop_mc_dr_f_pre.asp)  
**But you may want to read this —\> [Common Household Chemical Kills Cats](http://www.zootoo.com/petnews/commonhouseholdchemicalkillsca)**

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mazinger\_z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@mazinger\_z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mazinger_z)\
**Post date:** [June 17, 2008, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cats-or-dogs-and-spraying-for-bugs/453219/4 "2008-06-17T17:22:49Z")

</div>

Though only two posts so far, the opinion in my office is separated into two groups mirroring these positions. Ironically, the ones who are looking at me like I’m some sort of psychopath don’t own any pets. :dubious: However, **Duckster’s** links cause some concern for me. So far, the cats look ok. I’ll work from home tomorrow and see if any convulsing. I’m pretty conservative with the bug spray though, because even I’m concerned about inhaling that stuff.