"The commonly used topical flea and tick products (Frontline, Advantage, etc) expose pet owners to pesticides chronically at a low level. These products work by diffusing over the skin surface in the surface lipid layer and creating an invisible barrier that the insect encounters when it tries to feed on the pet. The chemicals also end up on the pet's fur where people are exposed when they pet their dog or cat," Steve Gardner, DVM, DABVP, says.
Keep in mind, the products used in typical topical treatments are often pesticides and can cause some problems for both you and your pet. Medicine options that are taken orally are generally safer than topical because they don't have the ability to rub off or irritate the skin. Your vet should be able to talk to you about which safe options are the best choice for both you and your pet.
"In recent years I have advocated the use of oral products that appear to be well-tolerated by the animals in order to avoid the potential public health issue of exposing children and others to pesticides. These products are not on the surface of the skin but are concentrated in the skin, therefore the fleas and ticks are exposed but not the humans who touch the pets," Dr. Gardner says.
There are lots of different products on the market, and, as always, some are safer and work better for certain families than others. Try a few different options in consultation with your vet until you find one everyone involved is happy with.
If you think medicine-free might be feasible, the best option would be to make sure your pets aren't getting fleas or ticks in the first place. It can sound impossible but here are a few tips that might help. Many vets and organizations recommend brushing your pet regularly with a fine tooth flea comb. This will keep your pet's fur clean and catch fleas they may have. Be sure to have a bucket of soapy water on hand to dip the comb into to deal with any fleas you do find.
You can also take some prevention steps by cleaning pet beds often in warm water. You don't want all your hard work of brushing them to go to waste as soon as they settle back down for a snooze in their bed.
It's also a good idea to try controlling fleas and ticks in your garden or whatever area your pets play and roll around in outside. Beneficial nematodes are one option. Nematodes sound like something prehistoric, but really they are worms that eat flea larvae; they can be found in garden supply stores. You just sprinkle them in the yard. Diatomaceous earth (but not the kind treated for use in pools) is a similar method (read the directions carefully), but this is better for places like the edges of your yard where you and your pets won't be likely to roll in it. It can hurt pets if they eat it or it gets in their eyes.
While you're thinking about your pets, read about how to protect your pets by choosing non-toxic products for them and your home, which is great for your whole family!
Why? Well, if different chemicals and things in our home can make us sick, consider how the same amount of those things might affect someone much tinier. Even if you've got a big dog, chances are they don't weigh quite as much as you. And, both dogs and cats spend much more of their time on the floor, where a lot of dust collects. They also are way more likely to lick things than we are, cats especially because they lick themselves to bathe after rolling around on the floor.
With all of these ways that our pets are more likely to encounter different things that might make them sick, we have a few tips for ways to keep your pet, and incidentally yourself, safer.
When it comes to pet toys, there are so many different options, and we are sure your pet will make their preferences known. But, plastic toys that your animals will be putting in their mouth and chewing on aren't the best option. We know what the chemicals can do to various animals and to humans, so why would we want to expose Fido or Mr. Whiskers to them? For dogs, try toys made of rope, natural bones, or rubber for things like frisbees and chew toys. If they like to play with balls, consider ones made of real, natural rubber, or wool. For cats, natural ropes, feathers, and things like felted wool balls are options. Or, if your cat is anything like most cats, they will prefer to play with things like your socks or a toilet paper tube. My cat also thinks sticky notes and tin foil balls are fun, so who knows what your cat will choose.
As we mentioned, pets like to lick things. And they do it a lot. They also tend to roll around on the ground. When it comes to cleaning and products you will use on your floors and around the house, consider non-toxic options. Make sure these are non-toxic for your pet, too. WARNING, this might rule out some types of essential oils. Check out our list of non-toxic cleaning supplies, to help you decide what might be the best option.
If your pets are going to be doing a lot of snuggling with you on the couch or in your bed, we recommend choosing a option that is healthy for both you and them. This typically means looking for items that are flame retardant free. You can learn more about other things to look for in our article about couches or this other one about mattresses. If purchasing new furniture isn't high on your list, vacuuming (with a HEPA filter if you have one) and dusting with a wet microfiber cloth on a regular basis are other good ways to help reduce the amount of these chemicals that can escape from your furniture and get into your household dust, and then into your pet's or your own body. Check out our roundup of HEPA filter vacuums if you are looking to invest in one.
"These chemicals are found at high levels in house dust and toddlers and cats accumulate them at much higher levels than adults due to increased exposure (toddlers placing their hands in their mouths and cats ingesting dust from their coat during grooming)," says Steve Gardner, DVM, DABVP.
Pet beds are also often made of foams that are treated with flame retardants, so even if your furry friend prefers to cuddle up in their own space, look for options that are flame retardant free or don't contain foam.
This one is more about how medicine you choose for your pet can shift from them to you. Most flea and tick medicines that are applied topically to your pet can easily rub off, either onto your hands when you pet them or onto your couch or carpet as they roll around. Learn more about better flea and tick options for your pet in this article that lays out all the alternatives.
