When you realize that a flea and tick treatment is essentially a pesticide or insecticide, it may make you think twice before using it on your precious companion animal(s).  Not only is the use of pesticides/insecticides not an eco friendly living choice, but actually using them in your home environment may be hazardous to you, your family and your pet’s health.  You know that awful odour that comes from a flea and tick collar?  The collar is literally soaked in chemical pesticides.  YUCK!  You do not want that around your pet’s neck or to be breathing that in.

Below is a list of chemicals that may be found in popular flea and tick products.  Treatments can be collars, topicals, pills, shampoos, flea sprays, etc.  Choose wisely… Make sure you know the possible dangers before purchasing a product.  Toxins can build up over time and run down your pet’s immune system and in extreme cases cause fatalities. The list below

will help you identify the dangerous chemicals in flea and tick treatment.

CHEMICAL NAME	SIDE EFFECTS	PET WARNING	HUMAN RISKS
Amitraz	Developmental toxin, suspected endocrine disruptor, possible carcinogen	AVOID USE	AVOID USE
Carbaryl	Toxic to the nervous system, may cause cancer, suspected endocrine disruptor	AVOID USE	AVOID USE
D-limonene	Linked to asthma & allergies	VERY TOXIC TO PETS, ESPECIALLY CATS	Not enough info. to determine human toxicity.
D-trans Allethrin	Suspected endocrine disruptor	VERY TOXIC TO CATS
Essential Oils: Bay, Cinnamon, Citronella, Clove, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Rue and Tea Tree	Linked to asthma and allergies.	VERY TOXIC TO PETS, ESPECIALLY CATS	Not enough info. to determine human toxicity.
Essential Oils: Cedarwood, Peppermint, Rosemary & Thyme		Check w/ Vet before use	Safer essential oil.
Essential Oil: Lavender	Linked to asthma and allergies, suspected endocrine disruptor.	VERY TOXIC TO PETS	Not enough info. to determine human toxicity
Essential Oil: Pennyroyal	Toxic to the liver.	VERY TOXIC TO PETS CAN CAUSE SEIZURES, COMA OR DEATH	Not enough info. to determine human toxicity.
Etofenprox	Toxic to nervous system, endocrine disruptor	VERY TOXIC TO CATS AVOID USE	AVOID USE
Fenoxycarb	May cause cancer, developmental toxin, suspected endocrine disruptor	AVOID USE	AVOID USE
Fipronil	Possible carcinogen, toxic to nervous system, suspected endocrine disruptor
Imidacloprid	Toxic to the nervous system	AVOID USE	Don’t use if pregnant of around young children.
Lufenuron		Check w/ Vet before use	Taken as pill; lower risk to humans
Metaflumizone			Not enough info. to determine human toxicity.
Nitenpyram			Taken as pill; lower risk to humans.
Permethrin	May cause cancer, linked to asthma and allergies, suspected endocrine disruptor	VERY TOXIC TO CATS AVOID USE	AVOID USE
Phyrethrins	Toxic to nervous system, linked to asthma and allergies, possible carcinogen	VERY TOXIC TO CATS	Don’t use if pregnant of around young children.
Propoxur	Toxic to nervous system, possible carcinogen	AVOID USE	AVOID USE
Pyriproxfen		Check w/ Vet before use	Safer, but check before use.
Selamectin			Not enough info. to determine human toxicity.
S-Methoprene		Check w/ Vet before use	Safer, but check before use.
Spinosad		Check w/ Vet before use	Taken as pill; lower risk to humans.
Tetrachlorvinphos	May cause cancer, toxic to the nervous system, suspected endocrine disruptor.	AVOID USE

If you are concerned your pet may be in danger look for these warning signs of poisoning:

• Abnormal swelling
• Weight loss or loss of appetite
• Difficulty eating or swallowing
• Bleeding or discharge
• Unpleasant odour
• Lameness or stiffness; loss of stamina
• Hearing/Vision problems
• Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating
• Sores that are not healing

There are some simple things you can do for flea and tick prevention and control that do not involve the use of chemicals: Keep Clean!

• Vacuum furniture, floors, corners, etc. If you do have flea concerns, dispose of the bag after vacuuming, otherwise just be sure to keep up with the vacuuming to discourage infestation. Cutting back on the clutter is also helpful.

• Wash your pet’s bedding in hot water once a week.  If they sleep on your bed, this means washing your bedding too.

• Wash your pet!  Give your pet a bath; just be sure to avoid shampoos that contain the harmful chemicals listed above. You don’t have to buy fancy soaps; just a natural soap will work great!

• This goes for your yard too!  You can keep it “clean” by mowing your grass and keeping shrubs clipped.  This is especially helpful in your pet’s favorite areas because it helps keep these areas dry and fleas do not like dry spaces.

Comb them out! Flea combs are a must have flea control tool!  Get a flea comb and comb through your pet’s hair on a regular basis.  This helps you monitor them and find any possible fleas not to mention your pet appreciates any type of grooming you provide them. If you find fleas, put them in soapy water. Nematodes Both fleas and nematodes live in wet, shady spots.  This is important because nematodes (microscopic worms) eat flea larvae.  You can purchase them online, at pet stores or at garden centers.

Marisa

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