Study: Feline Hyperthyroidism May Linked To Carpet and Furniture Chemi

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT

New research about the chemicalsthat are found in carpeting and certain upholsteries suggests that your cat’s thyroid may be in danger.

Dr. Miaomiao Wang is with the California Environmental Protection Agency and was the lead researcher of the study. Dr. Wang said that many carpets and furniture upholsteries have chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in them as they were common in furniture until about the year 2000.

Related:What Is Feline Hyperthyroidism?

In prior studies, it was found that high exposure to PFAS could adversely affect the thyroid function of humans, and now it is believed that it may also be detrimental for the thyroids of cats who are exposed to the PFAS as well.

Dr. Wang said that they’ve been investigating the effects of PFAS for several years and that cats are great to look at for examining how toxins and pollutants can affect humans as well based on how they affect them.

PFAS exposure can occur from the leaching out of objects in the home, as well as ingestion in diets and food-contact, as well as drinking water, dust and hair. Wang says that cats and humans share similarities in the way they react to exposure to residential environmental factors, including dust. Wang also said this is particularly true of toddlers.

That said, cats also have the very common endocrinological disorder of hyperthyroidism–where the thyroid overacts in hormonal productivity due to the enlarged thyroid. Dr. Wang’s team wanted to see if there was any connection with the PFAS.

They looked at the blood levels of PFAS in two different groups of cats who lived in the San Francisco, CA area. One group included 21 cats who were sampled between 2008 and 2010 and the other group of 22 was sampled between 2012 and 2013. Most all the cats were at least ten-years-old.

They found that the higher the levels of PFAS in the feline’s blood, the higher the odds of an overactive thyroid in the cat were. As well, the blood levels of a specific subcategory of PFAS was significantly higher in cats who were hyperthyroid.

Related:FDA Alert: Pet Foods and Treats May Contain Hormones That Trigger Hyperthyroidism

The team found that the sample period difference showed a PFAS decline, and they believe that was due to the common decline in PFAS blood levels in humans as the chemical’s usage continues to be phased out.

Dr. Wang recognizes the small size of the study and believes a larger-scale study may continue to offer information about how to keep our cats (and selves) safe from the effects of PFAS. Additionally, Wang suggests regular monitoring of thyroid activity for cats (and humans), particularly in cats who are ten years or older.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

Giant Chinchilla Rabbit

Easygoing and laidback, the Giant Chinchilla Rabbit has a sweet nature and even temper that makes it a wonderful pet for singles, couples and seniors.

FDA Sends Warning Letter To Purina, Citing Significant Violations At F

Nestle Purina starts 2015 off on the wrong foot – with a warning letter from the FDA What a way to start off the year! Nestle Purina PetCare recently l…

Poop Scoop – Turns Out “Green” Poop Bags Aren’t The Sh*t After

FTC warns dog poop companies that its ‘biodegradable’ waste bags aren’t what they claim I shop at the public market. I recycle. I do my bes…

Top 10 Pet Product Picks From 2017

This year, we found so many fabulous pet products, it was hard to choose just 10. Though it''s a tough job, someone''s gotta do it... so here are our picks!

6 Natural Flea Remedies For Dogs

Tired of using chemicals to get rid of fleas? Instead, why not try any of these natural flea remedies for dogs to either prevent or get rid of these pests.

FDA Approves Mirataz, A New Weight Loss Control Medicine For Cats

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Mirataz, a new drug for managing unintentional weight loss in cats.

Best Pet Cameras

Pet cameras are a great way to be able to keep an eye on your pet when you''re not at home, but also a tool to help you make your cat or dog feel less alone.

What To Expect – Your Puppy’s First Day Home

Today''s the big day - you''re bringing your puppy home! You must be so excited. Here is a list of things to keep in mind for your puppy''s first day home.

PetSafe ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box

What if there was a product that took over the duty of picking up after your cat? Let the PetSafe ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box do all the work for you.

Making The Switch To A Raw Food Diet For Dogs?

We''ve been intrigued with all the talk about the raw food diet for dogs. We wanted to get a first-hand account of a pet parent who feeds their dog this diet

Petting Pet-iquette: Proper Etiquette For Petting Someone Else’s Dog

You''re the type of person who can''t walk past a dog without petting it. Before you offer a scratch, remember the etiquette for meeting a stranger''s dog.

Fashion Icon Karl Lagerfeld Leaves Beloved Cat A Hefty Inheritance

While the fashion world mourns the passing of icon designer Karl Lagerfeld, friends wondered what would come of his beloved cat Choupette. No need to worry,…

Best Dog Poop Bag Holder

To help you find the perfect match from the get-go, whether you prefer minimalistic design or multi-purpose designs with built-in hand sanitizers or flashlights, we’ve rounded up the 10 best dog poop bag holders on the market.

Doggy ‘Dos Puffed and Fluffed With This Wearable Dog Dryer

Yuck! You can''t stand that ''wet-dog'' smell. Neither could a Florida teen, so she came up with the Puff-N-Fluff Dog Dryer, and you know you want one!

Sallander Rabbit

The Sallander Rabbit has a coat that looks like it''s been painted by an artist. Sallander Rabbits are known for being lively, active, and skittish.