Ticks, Fleas, and Chemical Free!

By Adam Eisman – Contributing Writer
Posted on Friday 15th May 2009

A new report by the National Defense Resources Council shows that extremely harmful chemicals already exists in the flea and tick collars used on dogs and cats. Some collars that include Propoxur and Tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP) can pose serious effects as these chemicals can damage the brain and nervous system, disrupt hormones and cause cancer. In large doses they could be lethal.

The report found that these chemicals are often most dangerous to the children who own these animals as they have a high tendency to put their hands in their mouths after petting the dog or cat. Ingesting these chemicals has been linked to ADHD, delays in motor skill development, and even Parkinson’s Disease. Some flea collars tested so high for propoxur that the children near these animals would be at risk to getting cancer at a rate 1,000 times faster than the EPA’s acceptable levels (which, inversely, would indicate that there is a level of risk to cancer that the EPA is quite alright with, but that’s neither here nor there).

Instead of testing the EPA and how much cancer you can healthily be exposed to, try to skip right over those chemicals. Humans have had dogs and cats as pets long before conglomerates attempted to profit off of their filth, so think about going natural with these tips:

  • When bathing your dog or cat, try to use shampoos with no pesticides.
  • Use a flea comb in between baths in spots where ticks and fleas are common; in between toes, around ears, and at the base of the tail.
  • Don’t forget to wash the area where the dog sleeps, be it his own little bed, or some quilts he arranges for himself.
  • Vacuum regularly.
  • If you have to use something with chemicals, avoid Propoxur, Tetrachlorvinphos, and Amitraz at all costs.
  • Look for the ingredients that are considered safe, like Lufenuron, Nitenpryam, or Methoprene.
  • Many scientists believe pills are the healthiest way to treat dogs and cats for ticks and fleas, as there are less pesticides used, and there is a much lower chance that the medicine will have any chance to harm your family.

Follow these rules in order to best take care of your pet and your family. You know they would do the same for you…if they had thumbs and/or a checking account.

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