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Avoiding harmful chemicals in flea collars

Is your dog’s collar exposing you and your pet to pesticides & chemicals- some restricted for home used?  

Seems like many are and young children &  pregnant women are especially at risk

Dog collars designed to keep your dog free of ticks & fleas are collar infused with either natural remedies like essential oils or chemical pesticides that repel pests and parasites

Are they iMportant? 

Yes, they might be- as these pests aren’t just gross; they can transmit disease to both pets & people.

The prob is that many of the pesticides allowed to be used in pet collar have been found  by the EPA to be too dangerous for household use & specifically for kids & pregnant women due to links to cancer  neurological &  respiratory problems but the EPA has yet to regulate them for pets which is why they are still very common in these collars

Why are children more at risk? 

  1. They are smaller and their brain are still developing & so more vulnerable

  2. Kids love hugging, petting, laying on and placing their face on their pet dogs. These normal habits allow chemicals on the pets fur to be absorbed dermal. They also place their hands in the mouth constantly- another source of exposure.

Pets can also suffer: Skin irritation, neurological problems, gastrointestinal disorders, and even organ failure have been reported as a result of pet poisonings.

The good news is that you can avoid these harmful collars.. you just need to read ingredients & know what to avoid


Avoid

tetrachloyinphos (TCVP): a 2016 EPA risk assessment acknowledged that exposure to this organophosphate pesticide  puts kids at risk of learning disabilities.  Additionally studies have shown prenatal and early- life exposure can impair children’s neurological development at levels below what can cause clinical symptoms of poisoning… however its still allowed in Pet products.  


Carbaryl: prolonged exposure to low level exposure can lead to Headaches, memory loss, muscle weakness, cramps, and anorexia.

propoxur collars carry warning labels in California, telling pet owners that the ingredient is toxic and may cause cancer. 


pFAS: Seresto flea and tick collars contain 250 ppt of a long-chain PFAS. ( Leading scientists have called for a drinking water safety limit of 0.1 ppt for PFOA.) most collars are described as “ water proof”. Make sure you ask how it is waterproof- are there added PFAS chemicals?

Safer alternatives

Look for: All-natural ingredients like essential oils that can keep ticks & fleas away without harming your pooch.


Some essential oils commonly used include:

  • Peppermint

  • Cinnamon

  • Clove

  • Thyme

  • Lemongrass

  • Rosemary

  • Citronella

  • Geranium


In addition to using non toxic collars its important to take an integrative approach to protecting your dog from fleas & tics without the use of toxic pesticides



According to the NRDC this includes: 


Groom your pets regularly. Common soap and water will kill adult fleas. In addition, comb your animal’s fur with a fine-tooth flea comb, and dunk any critters into a container of sudsy water.

Clean, clean, clean. Wash your pet’s bedding weekly in hot, soapy water, and vacuum and wipe down pet-frequented surfaces often, including behind and underneath furniture and between couch cushions. Make sure you throw out what you have vacuumed in a sealed bag immediately.  If you’re the victim of a flea infestation, Karyn Bischoff, a toxicologist at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, recommends doing this daily. For severe cases, professional steam cleaning may be needed for your carpets.

Take preemptive steps in your yard and garden. It helps to put beneficial nematodes—worms that eat flea larvae—in the soil where your pet is likely to frolic. Find them in garden supply stores or online.


If you need a flea/ tic collar choose one with essential oil ingredients like these:

Only Natural Pet

Primova flea and tick collar

Arava Flea and Tick Prevention

https://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/earth-animal-natures-protection-flea-tick-collar-for-dogs?currency=USD&variant=32551711080484&cc=&gclid=CjwKCAjww-CGBhALEiwAQzWxOiFQURdUtT5o7cfUSzs-r_rpiHxiCqpQqWm2DESLGUSCnqMwlB1wcBoCW4cQAvD_BwE ( labelled at water resistant due to nylon)


The NRDC cas a directory of both safer and not so safe collars based on ingredients

https://www.nrdc.org/flea-and-tick-products-directory#s=

What of you need something stronger? 

Consider talking to your vet about oral treatments for flea prevention. These contain 

Active ingredients lufenuron, nitenpyram, or spinosad & can be a better option, for both animals & humans


Sources

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18167506/


https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0161813X13001514


https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/125/6/e1270.short