It gets on their hands and toys, and ends up in their mouths. Slowly and without noticeable symptoms, they are poisoned. Many homeowners unknowingly contaminate their homes when they remodel or repaint rooms that contain lead-based paint. Even though homeowners may be careful to remove paint chips, they don't realize that as they sand and scrape, lead dust is being created. That lead dust is easily spread throughout the home on their shoes, clothing and on air currents.
Pets are also highly susceptible to lead poisoning from lead contaminated dust.
They pick it up on their fur and paws, then ingest it while grooming themselves. Because of their relatively small body size, it doesn't take much lead to poison a dog or cat. Soil can become contaminated when exterior lead-based paint flakes, chalks or peels and gets into the soil. Historical use of leaded gasoline in America has left behind deposits of lead in much of the nation's soil. Children often play in this soil, which is easily tracked into the home.