Pesticides in Pet Products

[Freedom]

Thanks for sharing this, Johanna.

It's so hard to know what to do for our furry ones.

[Russian Blue]

When Nakita started showing health problems (when she was showing signs of feline hyperesthesia syndrome) I was reading everything and anything I could get my hands one. In the end, I don't trust anything 100% that is manufactured. Vaccinations, flea products, even manufactured food all come with some price.

If you want it safe, make it yourself.

[shepgirl]

We don't get any infestations of fleas or ticks here so I've never had to use anything on my dogs and I'm so thankful for that. In all the years we've had dogs we had a case of fleas once and that was it. If I did need something I would mix my own with natural oils instead. I have a friend who is pretty heavily involved in that stuff and she seems to know what oils to mix for what. I know she made me up a batch of srtuff to repel flies and such from my horses .I only remember something about tea tree oil and lavender and it would be safe for my dogs if I ever needed something.

[RICHARD]

There is something in Temptations Cat Treats that turn my cat in a pest.


He friggin cries when the bowl is empty!

[Catlady711]

And this is why at work we never recommend or advise clients to use OTC pyretherin based flea products. We've just seen way too many bad reactions, and sick pets because of them.

The rub is that many companies will advertise them as 'natural' just to sucker people into buying them.

Have they all forgotten the big Hartz recalls a while back when it was killing cats? And at that all the company did was re-label the product, they didn't change a thing in it. *sigh*

[smokey the elder]

Pyrethroids are natural products. That does not mean they are safe! Toxic mushrooms and botulism toxin are natural; would you use those?

There seems to be a lower bar for the FDA to approve OTC meds than prescription ones like Advantage, even though Advantage seems to be safe and effective for most animals. I'm not sure about this, though.

I still think the best person to consult with about product safety is your vet, even though he/she may try to sell you a more expensive product.

[Cataholic]

I still think the best person to consult with about product safety is your vet, even though he/she may try to sell you a more expensive product.

I disagree. I think vets, like people doctors, sell what the reps 'push'. The reps 'push' what the manufacturer makes, and the manufacturer makes the product that generates the revenue. I don't mean to sound all paranoid, as I am not. BUT I think we are too blind to the EPA/FDA (not just in the pet arena) and somehow think $$$ is the secondary factor, that safety is first.