Devoted pet owners want nothing but the best for their furry friends. We take great pains to feed them a proper diet and make sure they get enough exercise. We take them to the vet for regular checkups.
The trouble is that almost every day, we hear about pet product recalls. The latest is pig ears, due to infection from salmonella.
One of the main issues we’ve been discussing online lately is the safety of flea and tick treatments like Seresto collars. Naturally we can’t stand to see them scratching like fiends when they get fleas or ticks, so we buy them collars and treatments in an effort to get rid of them. But Seresto works on the nervous system of the bug–so it is totally possible it can do the same with a mammal like your dog as well.
A number of effective flea and tick treatments are available over the counter. But did you know that most of these products contain harsh chemicals? These chemicals work against the insects’ nervous systems, killing them in short order. This same action, however, can be harmful to the nervous systems of pets and humans.
Logic would dictate that such products should be subject to strict regulations and rigorous testing, but that’s not the case. There are surprisingly few restrictions on the ingredients in pet products. The Environmental Protection Agency has begun to examine some of the chemicals used in pesticides used on pets, but only because those same chemicals are sometimes used in foods.
So it’s up to pet owners to check labels for hazardous pesticides. The most dangerous chemicals found in flea and tick products fall into two categories: organophosphates and carbamates. Specifically, look for these chemical names on the label:
* Chlorpyrifos
* Dichlorvos
* Phosmet
* Naled
* Tetrachlorvinphos
* Diazinon
* Malathion
* Carbaryl
* Propoxur
Symptoms of Exposure
Pesticides used on pets can cause both acute and long-term health problems. They present a danger not only to pets, but their owners. Signs to look for in humans include:
* Nausea and/or vomiting
* Diarrhea
* Sweating
* Dizziness
* Shortness of breath
* Seizures
In extreme cases, exposure to organophosphates could result in coma or death. Children who are exposed to these chemicals may develop asthma. They have also been linked to increased cancer risk later in life.
Pets may have different symptoms, such as:
* Decreased appetite
* Watery eyes
* Increased salivation and urination
* Tremors
* Behavioral changes
Safer Alternatives
Mild cases of fleas often do not require the use of chemicals. Frequent mowing, vacuuming and washing of bedding can reduce the number of fleas in your pet’s environment, hence reducing the chance of infestation. If he’s still scratching, try a bath with grooming shampoo and a thorough combing with a flea comb.
If those steps do not produce results, pesticides may be the only solution. But there are pesticides on the market that do not put your or your pet’s health in jeopardy. They’re called insect growth regulators, and they interfere with the growth and development of new fleas. You’ll still have to use a flea comb to get rid of adult fleas, but these products should keep new fleas from appearing.
There are enough dangers in our pets’ environment without adding dangerous pesticides to the mix. Checking the ingredients in flea and tick products only takes a minute, and it will help keep your pet happy and healthy.
