It was so sweet watching my former-feral learn about memory foam mattresses. She loved to jump up on the bed and then body slam sideways and hold still to sink in.
How so? This probably doesn't apply to me, because I do not live in a country where carpet is used at all (even in the coldest regions), but I'd like to learn why out of curiosity (and just in case I end up moving to somewhere where they're common).
The "new carpet smell" comes from a mix of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from materials like synthetic fibers, latex backing, and adhesives. Key chemicals include:
· 4-Phenylcyclohexene (4-PC): The primary source of the "new carpet" odor, linked to eye and respiratory tract irritation.
· Styrene and Formaldehyde: Used in carpet backing and binders, known to be irritants and potential carcinogens.
· Benzene and Toluene: Often found in adhesives, these are among the most harmful VOCs.
· Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs): Flame retardants added to many household materials. Cats with hyperthyroidism have shown PBDE levels three times higher than healthy cats.
· Perfluorochemicals (PFCs): Used in stain-resistant treatments. A study found dogs and cats had significantly higher levels than humans.
Me the first time I saw snow... I just immigrated to the US and it was 2010 in NYC
I just lie in the snow middle of the street because the snow was like 1 feet tall and cars cant drive in there.
I felt cold within like 1 minute and wanted to go back inside lol
Snow is so fun, its so cold and hurts your hands but its fun to squeeze into a ball and throw it.
Also, my cat just rolls over on the floor showing the belly when you walk by after not seeing you for a while (like in the morning or you go downstairs in the middle of the night), and its NOT a trap (but I never touch it for too long just in case)
It's not actually that rare, about 1 in 5 red cats is female. Male turtle shell patterned cars are truely very rare and only occur in chromosomal disorders.
18 Comments
I_Fart_Glitter@lemmy.world · 50 pts · 182d
It was so sweet watching my former-feral learn about memory foam mattresses. She loved to jump up on the bed and then body slam sideways and hold still to sink in.
aramis87@fedia.io · 15 pts · 182d
What a cute picture - thank you for sharing!
Also, a reminder that new carpet can be dangerous to pets, especially the very young, very old, or those in fragile health.
SalamenceFury@piefed.social · 10 pts · 182d
How so? This probably doesn't apply to me, because I do not live in a country where carpet is used at all (even in the coldest regions), but I'd like to learn why out of curiosity (and just in case I end up moving to somewhere where they're common).
Tetsuo@jlai.lu · 13 pts · 182d
Not OP but it appears to be a warning about the off-gassing of brand new carpets that can be dangerous to cats.
jaybone@lemmy.zip · 5 pts · 182d
Is it the carpets themselves? Or the glues / adhesives used to install them?
LadyMeow@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 5 pts · 181d
I don’t think glues are normally used to install carpet, unless it’s those like 2ft2ft squares.
Though, like the other person mentioned the VOCs from the carpet, and I’ll add the same from the underlayment.
Edit: actually they might use some adhesive under the underlayment now that I think about it.
Zorcron@piefed.zip · 2 pts · 181d
It seems like both potentially. Chemicals used in carpet binders, flame retardant and stain resistant chemicals, and the glues used to install them.
From the American Lung Association
Tetsuo@jlai.lu · -3 pts · 182d
I'll be honest I just asked the question to an LLM and just wanted to hint at what was potentially dangerous about new carpets.
So all I can offer is to share the conversation in question with the LLM and advise caution on the reliability of the informations.
I checked some of the references but not all of them so as any LLM response, you should probably verify it.
Deepseek's response :
https://chat.deepseek.com/share/k4o5j2jxvbwx9rt2n2
Excerpt :
The "new carpet smell" comes from a mix of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from materials like synthetic fibers, latex backing, and adhesives. Key chemicals include:
· 4-Phenylcyclohexene (4-PC): The primary source of the "new carpet" odor, linked to eye and respiratory tract irritation.
· Styrene and Formaldehyde: Used in carpet backing and binders, known to be irritants and potential carcinogens.
· Benzene and Toluene: Often found in adhesives, these are among the most harmful VOCs.
· Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs): Flame retardants added to many household materials. Cats with hyperthyroidism have shown PBDE levels three times higher than healthy cats.
· Perfluorochemicals (PFCs): Used in stain-resistant treatments. A study found dogs and cats had significantly higher levels than humans.
jaybone@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 181d
Why?
Tetsuo@jlai.lu · 1 pts · 181d
What do you mean ?
StrixUralensis@tarte.nuage-libre.fr · 1 pts · 182d
Probably the VOC carpets emit
DeathByBigSad@sh.itjust.works · 10 pts · 181d
Me the first time I saw snow... I just immigrated to the US and it was 2010 in NYC
I just lie in the snow middle of the street because the snow was like 1 feet tall and cars cant drive in there.
I felt cold within like 1 minute and wanted to go back inside lol
Snow is so fun, its so cold and hurts your hands but its fun to squeeze into a ball and throw it.
Also, my cat just rolls over on the floor showing the belly when you walk by after not seeing you for a while (like in the morning or you go downstairs in the middle of the night), and its NOT a trap (but I never touch it for too long just in case)
TheButtonJustSpins@infosec.pub · 4 pts · 181d
She?? Rare orange female unlocked!
ETA: Super cute!
Tessellecta@feddit.nl · 3 pts · 181d
It's not actually that rare, about 1 in 5 red cats is female. Male turtle shell patterned cars are truely very rare and only occur in chromosomal disorders.
ayyy@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 181d
In what world is 1 in 5 not considered rare?
Tessellecta@feddit.nl · 1 pts · 176d
20% is rare?
RaoulDuke85@piefed.social · 2 pts · 182d
I do the same. I miss carpet.
faizalr@piefed.social · 2 pts · 182d
After 30 minutes, she is still there.