Healthy Alternatives for Protecting your Dog against Ticks

May 22, 2015

by Natalie Secretan

Flea and Tick Protection

The news of blacklegged ticks being found in the Rouge Valley and Toronto Island areas this week may have you worried, but before you rush out to the vet for your dog’s annual toxic treatment of tick and flea products, there are few things you should know first.

Not only do these tick and flea products cause harm to your dog, they also pose a real threat to anyone who comes into contact with your dog. Research from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) says, “products intended to kill fleas and ticks can also poison pets and the people who handle them.”

These products – “collars, sprays, dusts and more” – should really be labeled ‘pesticides,’ because that is exactly what they are, and like most pesticides, they contain some noxious chemicals. According to the NRDC, “The most dangerous types of pesticides are organophosphates and carbamates – nerve poisons that should be avoided completely.” The NRDC blacklists “any flea products that come as ‘bombs’ or sprays,” and recommends avoiding “all products containing” these dangerous chemicals known as organophosphates and carbamates:

Dangerous Chemicals Found in Toxic Pet Products

  • Dichlorvos
  • Phosmet
  • Naled
  • Tetrachlorvinphos
  • Malathion
  • Diazinon (now banned)
  • Chlorpyrifos (now banned)
  • Carbaryl (carbamate)
  • Propoxur (carbamate)

Fortunately, there are a great number of preventative measures you can take to ensure you pet doesn’t get ticks and fleas. Quite simply, sticking to a strict regimen of regular grooming and cleaning of your pet and their living space can help prevent an infestation of unsavoury critters in your house.

You can also check the GreenPaws Flea and Tick Directory from the NRDC for safer products to use. Although, most of these also contain some dubious chemicals that have not been thoroughly tested, there are a number of herbal remedies, such as essential oils, right at the end of the list. Essential oils, especially citrus oils, can be quite effective in repelling ticks and fleas. Not only do these noisome bugs abhor essential oils, they shrink at the thought of lemon or orange citrus.

You can make your own flea and tick spray from essential oils to keep your dog protected. It’s also recommended to use essential oils in your dog’s bath twice a month. And remember to spray some essential oil on your dog’s collar to keep those ticks and fleas at bay.

To read more about ticks and fleas and your pets, click on the links below.

Reference Links From The Natural Resources Defense Council

Photo Credit: Patti's Pet Perfection