http://www.care2.com/greenliving/toxic-pet-medication-ingredients-to-avoid.html
Toxic Pet Medication? Ingredients to Avoid
By Kelli Best-Oliver, Green Options
Do you use flea or tick medications on your pet?
A report released by the Natural Resources Defense Council linked chemicals found in flea and tick medications to serious health problems in both pets and humans. The main offenders are organophosphate insecticides and carbamates, which interfere with nerve signals in the body. Though these chemicals are meant to work on insects, they can have similar effects on the nervous systems of pets and humans, particularly children because of their developing nervous system. There is also ample evidence to suggest that long-term exposure to products containing such chemicals can produce serious health problems, such as later-in-life cancer and Parkinson’s, in children who were exposed at an early age. Kittens and cats are also particularly vulnerable when exposed to over-the-counter products for dogs.
This doesn’t mean that all flea and tick medications are dangerous: this mainly applies to older brands of OTC medications. Avoid products that list chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, phosmet, naled, tetrachlorvinphos, diazinon, malathion, carbaryl, or propoxur in their active ingredients. Take the safe route and always get your pet’s medication from your vet–it’s not worth the few bucks you’d save by buying products over the counter. There are also safe non-pesticide methods to flea and tick control, including using flea combs, regular shampooing, increased vacuuming and sweeping, and keeping pets inside. But again, talk to your vet about what is best for your pet.
Green Options Media is a network of environmentally-focused blogs providing users with the information needed to make sustainable choices. Written by experienced professionals, Green Options Media’s blogs engage visitors with authoritative content, compelling discussions, and actionable advice. We invite anyone with questions, or simply curiosity, to add their voices to the community, and share their approaches to achieving abundance.
More from Megan, selected from Green Options (43 articles available)
related stories
-
(24 comments)
-
GreenOptions4
(2 comments)
-
GreenOptions4
(11 comments)
Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
25 comments
add your comment »Pet Medication : PetScriptsDirect is an Online Pet Pharmacy offering Pet Medication, Dog Medications, Cat Medications, Dog Medicines, Cat Medicines, Pet Rx, Advantage Flea Killer for Dogs, Advantage Flea Killer for Cats, Heartworm Medication for Dogs and much more
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Pet Medication : PetScriptsDirect is an Online Pet Pharmacy offering Pet Medication, Dog Medications, Cat Medications, Dog Medicines, Cat Medicines, Pet Rx, Advantage Flea Killer for Dogs, Advantage Flea Killer for Cats, Heartworm Medication for Dogs and much more
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
sprinkle table salt on your carpets for fleas,leave acouple of days,vaccum,no more fleas!!!!
dianne adams
erthymoods@yahoo.com
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I was surprised that malathion is listed as dangerous to pets. I thought this was a plant-derived safe ingredient? Also, frequent vacuuming won't help if you pets bring fleas into the house - it will spread their eggs to whatever rooms you vacuum. Then you have to use a fogger to kill all the eggs - which means removing the animals and food and dishes and it is a huge pain. It's hard to avoid ticks and fleas if your animals go outside in the woods or grassy areas. Flea combs are good but a tick bite can give your dog or cat Lyme disease. Me and my dog and one of my cats got Lyme disease (me - three times). I live in Connecticut. I don't know how effective natural products are for repelling ticks.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Most vets seem to sell products that are not always good for animals. It seems if it doesn't poison the animal outright, its okay. Since they are making money on the deal, I'm rather cynical about it.
As someone who has watched her cats die from an overtoxic batch of Hartz flea and tick, I wouldn't piss on them if the entire board of directors was on fire. Hartz has an especially egregious and apathetic attitude about animals: they don't give a damn, just buy their product. The pet only exists so that they can make money off them.
If you think I'm exagerating, please email PETA and ask them about the Hartz lawsuit of 2001/2002 re flea and tick control.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Sorry, as much as I like a lot of the ASPCA's site and what they do, I've wanted to tell them to please re-examine something they have posted there. My horse and hundreds of his predecessors have eaten apples without dying for hundreds if not thousands of years. The only problem with apples is eating so many they suffer colic or possibly founder--ANYONE, including us humans, can suffer from overeating ANYTHING, no matter how harmless a normal amount is.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I am always welcome for infor re feline care - have seen too many die early deaths from too many chemicals and overzealous medication including cortisone - I am reading books on natural animal care and changes i have instituted seem to be working
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
To Jean French: how do you use the basil for flea control? Thanks.
Also, I too have read that onions and garlic have an enzyme that is very dangerous to pets, just as chocolate is, so I no longer use garlic. NO AMOUNT of chocolate is ok for a dog.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
since advantage and frontline are otc, i don't know what vet meds this article is referring to. the cheapest source for advantage and frontline is jefferspet.com
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
If you want to save time and money--and perhaps your pet's life--consult with your pet's veterinarian. (If you prefer to go the holistic route, consult a holistic veterinarian.)
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account: