Lead Paint Inspections for Pets? How Lead Affects Animals
November 12th, 2014
Lead-based paint can be hazardous to you and your family, but did you know that it can also affect pets? Homes and buildings built before 1978 carry the largest threat of lead poisoning due to the building materials used at the time.
As an experienced home lead paint inspection company, Get The Lead Out has witnessed several problem areas for potential lead ingestion by pets. Learn how lead can affect animals and how to protect your furry friends.
Which Animals are Affected?
Typically, the types of pets that are harmed by lead are mammals that are allowed to roam your house freely. If they have the ability to walk around the house, they are more likely to find areas contaminated with lead. Because of this, caged animals such as guinea pigs or hamsters are less likely to ingest lead.
Most cases of lead ingestion are found in dogs, while the second most cases come from cats.
How are Pets Affected?
In most cases, animals ingest lead-based paint chips and dust. As discussed in previous blogs, the most common sources of lead come from vinyl flooring, plumbing, windows and doorways. Pet ingestion of lead tends to happen in one of the following two ways:
1) Dogs and cats have an adventurous nature and love to explore. Your dog will sniff around in corners and along baseboards and in the process may be ingesting lead paint chips and dust. Your cat most likely enjoys resting in window sills and high places where lead paint dust may accumulate.
2) Lead may be contaminating their drinking water. Pipes, especially in newer houses, may have loose lead deposits that are carried in the flowing water.
What are the Symptoms?
Symptoms from exposure in small amounts over the course of months may be difficult to notice compared to a large amount ingested at once. If any of the following symptoms are affecting your pet for weeks or months, you may need to seek veterinary treatment and perform a lead paint inspection:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Poor appetite
- Weakness
- Panicky or anxious behavior
These symptoms may be the sign of other problems, consultation with a veterinarian is recommended in order to find the cause.
Protect Your Pets and Your Family With Professional Lead Paint Testing
The professionals at Get The Lead Out have been performing in-home examinations for over 20 years. Our certified inspectors will report all problem areas they find and offer solutions to resolve any lead contamination issues.
We are based in Charlotte, but perform home inspections all across the Carolinas. For more information regarding our home lead paint inspections or to make an appointment, please call (704) 376-3594.