Quote Originally Posted by crow_noir
DO your research! This IS safe to use. It's used in human food supplies as well as cattle feed. You can find tons of info on it online and in books. I am NOT the only one who has used this to deworm their pets.
Previous quote...
You should be able to get it at any garden type store. make sure it is NOT for pools. (Pool grade is highly toxic.

Mix a bit of this up in some broth or gravy (NOT WARMED... adding heat to DE can make it toxic!)
Offering this kind of advise online on a pet forum to a 14 year old is a little absurd. Why not suggest taking the cat to a *VET* or recommend an over the counter cat dewormer that is veterinarian recommended. That would seem a little more reasonable don't you think? And it beats having to treat over and over again to make sure the parasites are completely gone, when you can treat twice and know the product you are using is effective. Not to mention, if the cat has fleas and is not treated for fleas, the worms will just come back anyway. What makes you think a 14 year old is going to remember exactly how to mix it up? Seems a bit chancy to me.

I've used this in my garden for years. While medical/food grade DE can be safe to use as a dewormer *if you know what you're doing* <---key point here, it's still risky, and I really wouldn't trust the boxes sold at your local Wallmart/garden supply store. Your best bet is to purchase it online from a pet supplier, who will have the right stuff. There are many places online to purchase it.



And really. I didn't ASK for your god***m opinions, and I don't want to hear them. THOSE OF YOU WHO CAN ONLY BASH ME, MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS
Do you really think this is the kind of attitude one should have when there are two great people out there right at this moment helping your pets get the veterinary care they need? I have seen no one bashing you on this thread, just pter's merely questioning what is going on. No one is calling you names, and when you post to a public forum you are making your life our business. If you don't want us to know/care about what goes on with you perhaps you should rethink about posting it for all to see.

First off, I think that there are many single moms out there that would be totally offended to know that they are thought of like this.
THANK YOU! I am a single mother with a 5 year old and a baby on the way. Being single is no excuse! Everyone has issues/troubles, it doesn't matter if you are single, divorced, widowed, or married. I have been supporting myself since the age of 17, and now have a great job as a Veterinary Technician at one of the largest animal hospitals in the U.S. Times are tough, but I am coping. All my animals are well taken care of and you better believe I would starve myself before ever letting my children/pets go hungry. I would love to add another bearded dragon to my household but is it the right time? No. I don't have the funds or the time to care for another pet. I used to run a rescue and recently due to becoming homeless and having major health issues it was in the best interest of the animals in my care to be rehomed, as bad as it hurt me inside. I knew they deserved better so I did the responsible thing and all found great loving homes, even Tony who I had been trying to adopt out for a year and a half! I even managed a way to make sure everyone was up to date on shots etc. before going to their new homes, because I owed them that much. After all, they did not ask for me to "rescue" them. They were MY responsibility. Now I'm on top of my game...anyone can do it. It might take awhile but it is possible. You just need to sacrifice, and sometimes sacrificing can mean doing something you really don't like. But that's life.

Well, my mom finds this whole idea rediculous and I don't think she gives a rat's butt if Gizzie is ever spayed, she just wants her out of here T_T. I've been doing everything so far. My mom wouldn't even call a rescue for me, she just wants to take Gizzie to the animal shelter and dump her.
Since page one it seems excuses have been made for why the family can't do this. First it was getting to a phone (it's not that hard to walk down to your local 711 or what have ya to use a payphone), then it was her mother not wanting her to call etc etc etc. She even said herself the mom just does not like the cat. What if we spay the pet and the mom just gets rid of the cat anyway?! Don't you think the animal deserves to be somewhere where it's stay at the house isn't in jeopardy every day? And I don't buy the excuse that nothing can be done to find this animal a home. Just because there is only a kill shelter around does not mean the animal has to go there. She has the internet and can easily place an ad online on Craigslist, maybe even in her local newspaper? Craigslist is free, and placing an ad in the paper isn't too spendy. I'm sure someone here would be willing to do that as well. How about making a flyer with the cats picture on it and posting it in your local vets office or pet shop?

I feel awful for you Bri, as you should not be the one having to deal with all of this. You are just 14 and it should be your mother's responsibility. If she knew you guys could not afford another pet she shouldn't have let you bring another into the house, plain and simple. I really hope everything works out in the favor of the pets. I know you would love to keep them, and I hope that your family situation gets better soon so that you may get to do that. But please, if you know you cannot care for them in the way they need it may be best to rehome them. I would hate for your mom to take someone to the shelter after so many people here have helped with her medical needs, so that the chances of her staying are better.

Ask yourself. What happens if Gizzy's behavior does not change after her spay? What if she keeps clawing furniture etc? Then what? Keep in mind, all of us here are just thinking of what is best for the pets.