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Self Cleaning Ovens Can Be Harmful To Pets
by Holly Cook
Professional Pet Sitter
Special Pet Care Services

As a professional petsitter, I have encountered many stories about pets being hurt or killed by something that was not thought of as lethal. Such is the case with new self cleaning ovens.

Although some of them do have a warning label on the oven, most only warn the owner in the instruction manual. When a self cleaning oven is "cycled" for the first time, it warms to over 900 degrees in order to "cure" the insulation in the oven. The odor it gives off has been described to me as burning lacquer. It is an offensive odor. During this curing process, the oven emits fumes that are so toxic, they EXCEED EPA standard levels of safety.

Finding information concerning this issue is difficult at best. Pocket pets and birds are at the most risk for upper respiratory distress and death. I personally know of two birds who have died as a direct result of these toxic fumes. Litigation is under way.

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