How to Get Rid of Fleas Without Using Cancerous Flea Collars

As fleas can be damaging to family wellness, you might choose to adorn your dog or cat with a flea collar to protect their wellbeing as well as your own. However, even though you’d assume the chemicals used in these collars have been tested for safety, this isn’t always the case and may end up doing more harm than good to everyone’s wellness. This is according to a new report from the Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC), which has found that many name-brand collars contain harmful chemicals, and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) isn’t doing anything to prevent them from being sold.

 

The two chemicals targeted by the report, which are used on brands of flea collars like Hartz and Zodiac, were tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP) and propoxur. The former is a kind of nerve-damaging chemical which has actually been banned for residential use or for use on pets, while propoxur belongs to a class of chemicals called carbamates, which also cause nerve damage. Moreover, propoxur is on California’s Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to cause cancer, and the NRDC was quick to point out that exposure among toddlers and children was a particular concern, as youngsters are more likely to pet animals and then put their hands in their mouths.

 

According to lead author of the report Gina Solomon, MD, senior scientist at NRDC, it’s not just the manufacturers of these flea collars who are to blame, but also, somewhat surprisingly, the EPA. ‘When we took a look at the EPA’s files for these chemicals, we were stunned to discover that, after making decision to leave them on the market, they had no scientific data on which to base their decision,’ Solomon commented. ‘The fact that the EPA hadn’t bothered to see how much residue would end up on fur was a big surprise.’ So if the Environmental Protection Agency aren’t working to protect your wellbeing against chemical exposure, which is kind of their job, is it up to you to safeguard your family and your pets?

 

‘For an individual, the risk is pretty small,’ says Solomon. ‘But if you multiply the risk across the numbers of people who touch these collars, the number is disturbing…We really want people to reduce exposures because they’re not necessary.’ She adds that the collars may not even be effective, so step number one is to get rid of chemical collars. You may be concerned that the damage has already been done, but the saving grace of the flea-collar chemicals is that they don’t hang around for long. ‘These chemicals are not very persistent in the environment or in our bodies,’ Solomon explains, adding that washing your pets and their bedding will take care of external residues, while your body will eventually excrete internal ones.

 

Once you’ve got rid of the flea collar, it’s time to bath and comb your pets. Generally speaking, you should bathe your dogs every two weeks to prevent flea infestations and remove ticks that are yet to latch onto the skin. Solomon notes, ‘A flea comb will also remove ticks just as well as it does fleas, assuming they aren’t already attached.’ You also need to get hold of a flea treatment that contains insect growth regulators, (IGRs) which your vet can prescribe. Dr Solomon asserts, ‘In the long run, these are more effective because they disrupt breeding cycles of fleas.’ Finally, seeing as both you and your pet can easily succumb to the diseases carried by ticks, it’s worth investing in some of the more potent treatments. Solomon recommends fipronil, selamectin and imidacloprid for persistent tick problems.

Categories: cancer, Chemical Exposure, chemicals, collars, environmental protection, flea, flea collar, Flea Collars, protection agency, remove ticks, solomon

Three Simple, Natural Remedies to Rid Your Dog of Fleas

When your dog has fleas, you can find yourself bulking up on ointments and collars to get rid of the pesky little pests. However, these anti-flea products are laden with chemicals – they’re designed to kill fleas, after all – and your pup’s wellbeing could be at risk. According to The Humane Society, 1,600 pet deaths in the last five years have been attributed to flea treatments. Moreover, family wellness could also be threatened by these treatments, as many of the ingredients in flea medications are known carcinogens. Then there are poisonings and allergic reactions to consider, the signs of which include salivating, pupil dilation, tremors, vomiting, hiding, shivering and skin irritation. Still, why let it get to that point, when you can use natural and effective flea remedies instead?

 

1. Homemade spray: Although this spray won’t kill fleas or eggs once they arrive, you can prevent them from appearing in the first place. The spray contains citrus oil and lavender oil, both of which are harmless to dogs but you might find your pooch is more relaxed, as lavender has a calming effect. This herb can be unsafe for cats, however, so avoid using lavender on them. For your homemade spray, slice six lemons into thin round slices with the skin intact, and add them to a pan filled with water. Bring the water to a boil, remove it from the heat and let it sit overnight. Then, strain the liquid into a spray bottle and add 50 drops of lavender essential oil. You should use this spray whenever your dog goes outdoors or has a bath. Alternately, soak his collar in the mixture to make a flea collar of your own. You can also spray your rugs, carpeting, furniture and garden to prevent fleas from settling in.

 

2. A healthy, balanced diet: Much as it is with your wellness, your furry little friend can benefit no-end from a healthy, balanced diet, especially with regards to fleas. You may find that the right amount of nutrients can give your dog all he needs to properly combat all the toxins he is exposed to daily, and fight off pests naturally. Flaxseed oil, probiotics and digestive enzymes can help to boost his immune system and help him resist pests on his own, while small pinches of garlic can keep fleas at bay and support your pet’s liver and kidneys. Too much garlic can be toxic to dogs, but a small amount will be emanated through his skin (you won’t notice it, but the fleas will – think of them as vampires). Apple cider vinegar is also a beneficial addition to a doggie diet, as it makes the skin more acidic and, as a result, less appealing to fleas.

 

3. Topical remedies: Essential oils, such as peppermint, lemongrass, cedar and pennyroyal, can help fend off fleas, just make sure you dilute them and put them in places your dog cannot easily lick, as large doses are dangerous to pets. Simply mix a few drops into a teaspoon of olive oil and rub on the top of your pooch’s neck or base of the tail. You can also steep rosemary in two cups of boiling water, let it cool, and add it to up to a gallon of warm water which you can then pour over your dog. Finally, try sprinkling diatomaceous earth on your dog’s food or skin, or on your carpet (as long as you remember to vacuum it up later). This is basically ground-up algae, but it kills parasites internally. Just make sure to purchase a food-grade version of DE or it could cause breathing problems and other serious side effects for both your dog and you.

Categories: balanced diet, Dogs, flea, Fleas, healthy balanced, homemade spray, natural remedies, skin, spray, Water