Poisoning your dog, just to get rid of fleas, doesn’t make much sense. Yes, fleas are annoying and can make everyone miserable. However, using pesticides that are known to be toxic, can shut down internal organs, cause cancer and disrupt the endocrine (hormone) system is sort of like cutting off your arm because you have a paper cut.
No matter what your veterinarian says, all topical flea treatments (prescribed and over the counter) are pesticides. They do enter your dog’s system through the skin and cause damage, even if used appropriately. Why do you think they caution you not to come in contact with the oil? To wear gloves when applying? If it is hazardous for you, it is hazardous for your pet.
These hazards are not taken seriously by many in the industry. Since 2004, the EPA has received a total of 25,000 reports of reactions to these pesticides by pet owners. Many companies that produce these topical products credit the high number of these reactions to improper use of the product, but a large number of veterinarians express concerns about the product. “Even if it’s owner error much of the time, something is not working the way it should be. I think at the very least there needs to be much stronger warnings on those products cautioning pet owners about the dangers involved with using them”, said Stephanie Shain, director of outreach for the Humane Society of the United States.
Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to know what ingredients are in these topical flea treatments due to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act which was passed by Congress in 1949. Companies claimed that in order to keep their formulas from being stolen by other companies, they should be able to keep the ingredients confidential. All the ingredients they want kept under wraps are labeled as “inert”. This doesn’t mean that they are safe or benign, just that they are not as regulated by the EPA. They are usually even more toxic than the active ingredient, but have only been tested one time, not over a long period of use.
Some symptoms of pesticide poisoning to look for in your pet are burns on the skin, lethargy, tremors, vomiting, confusion, seizures, drooling and an unwillingness to eat or drink.
What Other Options Are There?
There are alternative treatments to ensure that your pet does not suffer for the potential adverse effects of topical pesticides. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a safe way of eradicating any insect infestation. It involves a whole new way of thinking about how to keep your pet happy and healthy all while preserving the quality of life on this planet. It addresses not only the damage to your pet from the pesticide, but also the damage to the earth as a whole and the dangers of pests becoming resistant to the toxic chemicals requiring even more toxic chemicals to be used.
The IPM system involves using supplements, dietary changes, and washing your pet with a shampoo that contains essential oils that are known for their ability to repel pests and are safe. Some of the most common flea repelling essential oils are Eucalyptus, Citronella, and Cedarwood. Eucalyptus and Citronella are also good for keeping the mosquitoes at bay. And Lavender oil will safely repel ticks. All these essential oils are safe to use on your dog. Please do not use them on your cats. The liver of cats can not process the essential oils. Neem oil is not an essential oil, but it is great at killing fleas and ticks. It is safe for cats and dogs.
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