Is Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer Safe Around Dogs?

When used as directed, Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter can be safe around dogs, but only after the treated areas are fully dry. The active chemicals in this product can be irritating if your dog comes in contact with them while the spray is still wet, possibly causing mild skin, paw, or eye problems, or even an upset stomach if licked. Dogs are especially at risk if they walk through or chew on anything sprayed before it dries.

Making Home Defense Safer for Your Dog

• Keep dogs completely out of treated areas until the spray has fully dried. Drying usually takes a few hours, but humid or poorly-ventilated rooms may take longer.
• Once dry, the risk of harm to your dog is considered low because the chemical binds to surfaces and is not easily transferred to paws or fur.
• If your dog happens to lick or chew on a recently treated spot before it is dry, contact your veterinarian for advice and monitor for signs like drooling, vomiting, or irritation.
• Store the product in a secure place unreachable by pets, since concentrated spray is far more hazardous than the dried product on a surface.

Is Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer Safe to Use Around Cats?

Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer can be used in homes with cats, but you must take precautions to keep your cat safe. The active ingredients in this product, especially bifenthrin and zeta-cypermethrin, are toxic to cats if they come into direct contact with the wet spray or lick recently treated surfaces. Cats are more sensitive to insecticides than many other pets, so letting them interact with treated areas before everything is completely dry can put their health at risk. This can cause symptoms like drooling, vomiting, tremors, or even more serious health problems.

Once the product is dry, the risk is much lower, as dried residues are less likely to rub off onto your cat's fur or paws. However, even after drying, there’s a small risk if your cat has habits like licking floors or rubbing its body on surfaces. Always keep your cat away from treated areas until the product has fully dried and the space is aired out. If your cat is very curious or sensitive, you may want to consider pet-specific pest control products or natural alternatives to be extra safe. If your cat shows unusual symptoms after exposure, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Is Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer Safe Around Small Pets?

Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer is not made to be safely used around small pets like hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, gerbils, or rats. These animals are much more sensitive than dogs or cats because they are tiny, breathe rapidly, and often have direct contact with floors or areas where sprays settle. The active ingredients in this product can be toxic or even fatal to small pets, even after it dries, because they may inhale residues, absorb chemicals through their delicate skin, or ingest contamination while grooming or eating.

Even with ventilation and drying, trace amounts can remain dangerous to small animals. Their small body size means what seems like “just a little” insecticide to us can quickly build up to a harmful dose for them. Exposure can lead to breathing problems, nervous system damage, or death.

If you have small animals in your home, it’s safest to avoid using Ortho Home Defense or similar chemical sprays indoors or near any places those pets live, roam, or play. Always look for pest control alternatives marked as safe for small pets, like physical barriers or natural, pet-specific products. When in doubt, consult a vet familiar with exotic pets before using any chemical pest treatment.