Get the Feed

customize your newsletter

Choose what you receive and when you receive it!

Gaiam_towels_160x133
hagl_da

Flea and Tick Collars

posted by Annie B. Bond Jan 20, 1999 8:11 pm
  • add to favorites
  • print
  • bookmark
6 comments

While flea collars seem tempting to use, read the ingredients carefully and
check the chemicals for safety at Scorecard, the Environmental Defense Fund’s
database of chemicals. According to the Cancer Prevention Coalition (CPC),
ingredients on some flea collars are carcinogens, neurotoxins, or both. An
effective and natural collar can be made using repellent essential oils.

Choose an absorbent collar for your pet, such as the widely available
heavy-duty woven nylon collars. The collar will absorb essential oils, an no
additional collar is needed. Essential oils that repel fleas and ticks
include citronella, rosemary, and rose geranium. Buy
only 100 percent pure essential oils, and using an eyedropper, put just one
or two drops on the collar. Repeat each week. Some animals are very sensitive
to the strong smell of essential oils, so start with just one drop and increase to two if they seem to tolerate the smell. If ticks are the biggest
problem, use rose geranium; for fleas choose citronella if for a dog,
but not for cats.


Caution


  • Pennyroyal shouldn’t be used around pets, especially pregnant pets.
  • Cats are sensitive to citrus, so avoid citronella.
  • Make sure not to get the essential oil in the pet’s eyes or directly on
    their skin.

More on Pests (6 articles available)
More from Annie B. Bond (3188 articles available)

6 comments

The Complete Book of Flea Control for You, Your Pet, and Your Home by Ted Kuepper

A 78 page book that presents information on controlling fleas using techniques that do not require insecticides, as well as descriptions of insecticidal products and their proper use to maximize effectiveness and minimize contact. This book makes it clear when to use a particular type of product and why. buy now

Common-Sense Pest Control by William Olkowski, Sheila Daar, Helga Olkowski (Contributor)

From ridding your apartment of cockroaches to dealing with the regional deforestation threats of Gypsy Moths, this is the authoritative book on how to control pests by using the natural mechanisms of control that have kept our planet from being savaged, prior to our human disruptions. buy now

Our Children's Toxic Legacy : How Science and Law Fail to Protect Us from Pesticides by John Wargo

An expert in pesticide policy traces the history of pesticide law and science, focusing on the special hazards pesticides have presented to children past and present, and suggesting urgent reforms are necessary to protect them. buy now
  • add to favorites
  • print
  • bookmark

6 comments

add your comment »
6 Comments       add a comment »
Chris Martin

I'm sorry, the link I meant to post didn't come through. It was my first post to this list, so I don't know how things work :-)
Anyway, if you go to thelavendercat dot com there is a lot of very good info there about essential oils and cats.
(and yes, garlic is toxic to dogs--and is more so for cats)

Chris Martin

Please NEVER use ANY essential oil on or around cats. Cats do not metabolize EOs (they don't have the "wiring" to do so). EOs are toxic to cats: not only do they cause severe liver damage, they can cause seizures and death. This applies to ALL essential oils: pennyroyal, tea tree (esp.), lavender, eucalyptus, etc. etc etc.
Here is a good overview for you to read:

Your cat will be much healthier!
Chris Martin
Owner, The Cat Diva
Feline Behavior Consultant
Geriatric and Special-needs Cat Care

Lynn Shortlidge

A friend told me that adding nutra yeast, a form of brewer's yeast, to her dog's food, a teaspoonful three times a week, kept the fleas away and by gosh it has on two dogs for at least 15 years. I also use a pinch on my cat food three times week.

Edward Newell

I read that raw garlic is toxit to dogs,try steaming or roasting if you want,but granulated garlic added to your dogs food works well too besides fleas,mosquito's and worms do not care for it either.

Helen Hall

I thought garlic is toxic to dogs?

Please enter your comment.
1500 characters remaining

who's talking about this story?

Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

29

Gaiam_towels_300x250
Click Here!