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Poisonous pet products

By Lori Bongiorno

Posted Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:58am PDT

Related topics: Health, Safety, News, Kids, Pets, Tips

More from The Conscious Consumer blog

Can flea and tick collars harm your health and your pet's? The answer is yes, according to a new report by the Natural Resources Defense Council. "Poison on Pets II" found that some collars release invisible toxic residues on pets' fur that can get onto people when they touch their dogs or cats. Unsafe levels of those chemicals can remain on pet fur for two weeks after a collar is placed on an animal.

The NRDC tested dog and cat fur for propoxur and tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP) after placing widely available flea and tick collars on the animals. Collars made by Hartz, Zodiac, and Bio Spot were used in the study, but any products containing propoxur or TCVP can pose serious health risks.

Both pesticides can damage the brain and nervous system, disrupt hormones, and cause cancer. These chemicals can cause a variety of poisoning symptoms from nausea and vomiting to seizures and respiratory paralysis. In large doses they can poison and even kill cats and dogs.

Children are particularly vulnerable because their bodies are still developing and they tend to put their hands in their mouths after playing with pets so they're more likely to ingest pesticide residues than adults. According to the report, pesticides in this class of chemicals have been linked to delays in motor development, ADHD, and Parkinson's Disease.

Propoxur levels were so high in some collars that they pose a cancer risk in children that is up to 1,000 times higher than the EPA's acceptable levels, and up to 500 times higher for adults, the report say. Wal-Mart is working with suppliers to eliminate propoxur from the products it sells.

Luckily, you don't need toxic chemicals to banish fleas and ticks. Here are some healthier alternatives:

Try non-chemical methods first.

Give your pet regular baths with a simple pet shampoo that's free of pesticides.

Use a flea comb in between baths. If you're short on time, focus on the areas where ticks like to hide: Between the toes, around the ears, and at the base of the tail. Check out this video for tips on combing your pet.

Wash your pet's bedding in hot water on the same day that you bathe the animal.

Vacuum regularly to eliminate any fleas and hidden eggs.

Choose the least toxic products.

Avoid products that list propoxur, tetrachlorvinphos, or amitraz as active ingredients.

Instead, look for ingredients that are considered both safer and effective such as, Lufenuron (Program), Nitenpyram (Capstar), Methoprene (Nylar), or Pyriproxyfen (Biolar). Search this product guide to find out if the products you're already using contain potentially harmful pesticides and to find safer options.

Pills are considered the healthiest method for dealing with fleas and ticks, according to the report, since they usually contain the least toxic chemicals, and don't leave residues on your pet or in your home. Look for products with Lufenuron or Nitenpyram or talk to your vet about getting a prescription for Spinosad.

Don't assume "natural" is always best. Essential oils, for example, are not always the safest option. Penny royal, tea tree, lavender, cinnamon, and eucalyptus oils are all very toxic to pets, according to the NRDC. Cedarwood, lemongrass, peppermint, rosemary, and thyme oils are better choices.

Want to do more? It would be far easier for consumers if hazardous chemicals weren't in the products lining store shelves in the first place. Sign a petition requesting that the EPA ban toxic pesticides from pet products.

Environmental journalist Lori Bongiorno shares green-living tips and product reviews with Yahoo! Green's users. Send Lori a question or suggestion for potential use in a future column. Her book, Green Greener Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-smart Choices a Part of Your Life is available on Yahoo! Shopping and Amazon.com.

Related topics: Health, Safety, News, Kids, Pets, Tips

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Posted by jmalmstrom Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:59am PDT
Here's a point that's just ever-so-slightly off topic, as it's not a product per se, but an environmental toxin. The road salt that's (over)used in winter areas can get on dog paws during Bowser's daily walk, which he'll later wash off and ingest. I believe it's not so much the salt as the anti-clumping agent that's mixed in. A quick search of the web will pull up a number of references to this so do your own research. We rinse of "Mr. Monty's" paws after every wintry roadside stroll. — The editors, www.planetcheapskate.com
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Posted by strangech1ck Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:49pm PDT
For kitties if you make sure to keep them indoors you'll almost never have problems w/fleas so you don't need those horrible chemicals. Keeps birds safe too!
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Posted by colibear2 Fri Apr 24, 2009 8:43am PDT
Make sure to have your pet visit the vet for check ups monthly. Ask the doctor if the products you use for your dog are O.K.
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Posted by MJKenney Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:55pm PDT
Adding garlic to your pet's diet will help keep fleas and ticks away, too! It makes their blood taste bad.
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Posted by Jennifer Sat Apr 25, 2009 6:19pm PDT
eco-me makes a dog kit that lets you make your own flea spray and soap, it's 100% natural, you just add a few household ingredients to the kit. http://www.naturalluxe.com
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Posted by Jojo Sun Apr 26, 2009 4:01pm PDT
to me, the best answer to these flea and tick collar problems is to upgrade to frontline or k9 advantix. hopefully they dont contain harmful chemicals also.
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Posted by Marigoldaz Sun Apr 26, 2009 4:49pm PDT
the easest and safest flea shampoo is... Dawn dish soap!!! Seriously! I have been using it for years. It's safe to use on kittens at 2 weeks of age! Just wet the animal, shampoo as usual, but let it sit for up to 5 minutes, then rinse. It HAS to be the original blue soap. The others aren't safe. Dawn (original) is used to bath birds & others who are unfortunate enough to get caught in an oil spill. You can also use to spray your yard. I'm not sure of the ratio. I've read that a rinse of apple cider vinegar (diluted) helps too. By the way, my sister is a groomer, she told me about this 20 years ago...
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Posted by Laura Wed Apr 29, 2009 12:06pm PDT
i was told that if u use any dish soap it gets rid of fles but what about ticks? whats the best thing to use on them? frustrated in texas
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Posted by Korrina Wed Apr 29, 2009 4:35pm PDT
the comment about using garlic to get rid of fleas, that is not a save practice. As garlic is toxic to cats.
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Posted by shirley h Wed Apr 29, 2009 7:44pm PDT
I put some off brand flea medicine on one of my cats and she spent two days at the vet, the stuff was poisoning her, she had convulsions and almost died, I can't name the brand, because I signed a paper for the company, but I don't put flea stuff on any of my animals anymore
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Posted by Local Reporter Thu Apr 30, 2009 7:11am PDT
one bad bit of advice here -- if you have fleas and flea eggs in your carpet and you vacuum you will spread them everywhere you vacuum - I accidentally did that once when I was house-sitting. Gave the whole house a nice vacuuming just before the owners came home from Europe - found out I'd spread the fleas from one room where kitty tended to hang out to all the bedrooms, home office, etc. You have to "bomb" a living space once fleas get into carpeting - which means getting the animals and open food containers and fish bowls, etc. out of the house for several hours. It's best to keep the creatures from getting into the house in the first place. Keeping your grass mowed is another way to reduce the amount of ticks your pet picks up in your yard.
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Posted by mamiekay Thu Apr 30, 2009 7:14am PDT
Vet check-ups MONTHLY???!!! Are you serious? I don't take my kids to the doctor for a monthly check-up! Your vet must love you.
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Posted by Amy L Thu Apr 30, 2009 7:44am PDT
There are tons of websites out there telling the dangers of using certain brands of flea and tick medication on your pets. Mine were poisoned with Sargeants Gold flea and tick medication. Once I went online and starting reading I was shocked at how many other pets had been poisoned as well. The stories are heart breaking but very informative. I have told everyone I could to avoid this product and I will continue to do so. Check out other people's stories at the websites below: www.hartzvictims.org/2008/01/28/danger-sergeants-gold-flea-and-tick-squeeze-on-2/ http://dogblog.dogster.com/2008/04/08/sargeants-gold-flea-medication-almost-kills-dogsters-lucky-and-nala/
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Posted by DG Sat May 9, 2009 6:57pm PDT
how is putting garlic in your cat's food toxic?
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Posted by elm_nighttrain Thu Jun 11, 2009 4:30pm PDT
In dogs and cats, garlic and onion, including those that are fresh as well as those dried for use as spices, can cause Heinz body anemia, resulting in a breakdown of the red blood cells and anemia. The very small amounts of garlic that are present in some commercial pet foods have not been shown to cause any problems. The bulbs, bulbets, flowers, and stems of the garlic and onion are all poisonous. Cats appear to be more sensitive than dogs. Frontline and Advantix are also too toxic to use.
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