In recent years, hundreds, if not thousands, of pets have been poisoned by pesticide products specifically designed for use on pets. The EPA cautions pet owners using Spot-on flea and tick treatments for pets.

For most pet owners, the family dog or cat is a beloved member of the family. Unfortunately, products often used to protect pets from fleas and ticks carry serious health hazards -- not just for the pets, but for the children who play with them, care for them, and love them.

Spot on flea products are designed to poison insects but they can also poison pets and the people who handle them. Reports have shown that the use of spot-on flea treatments cause great concern to pet owners. Adverse reactions have ranged from minor skin irritations to seizures. In a number of cases, spot-on flea treatments have proven fatal to pets. Here is what you need to know:
Spot On flea treatments are:

• 100% toxic to the brain and nervous system (ie: Seizures).
• May cause an allergic reaction.
• They may disrupt hormone systems.
• They may lead to adverse skin effects such as: severe hair loss, elephantiasis, chronic itching, bleeding and cracking of the skin, Erythema (intense redness of the skin) and blister
• They may aggravate liver toxicity
• They will cause harm to your pet’s immune system.
•  They may cause CANCER and even DEATH!

The safest way for pet owners to protect their pets and their family is to:

• avoid toxic chemicals by controlling fleas through regular use of a flea comb,
• Bath your pet weekly – use a gentle pesticide-free pet shampoo.
• Comb your pet regularly (Flea comb). Regular combing of a pet can help reduce fleas and also helps monitor the success of a flea control program. Fleas caught in the comb should be drowned in soapy water.
• Keep your pet’s hair short during the flea season.
• Vacuum weekly. Vacuum your carpet, your sofas and bed’s mattress. Clean the vacuum after each treatment.
• Wash your pet bedding weekly. Hot water can help get rid of existing fleas and their eggs.
• For tick control - keeping the grass short!

Remember - Healthy animals are resistant to fleas whereas ticks are opportunistic. Make sure you feed your pet a healthy diet with additional supplements for a healthy immune system