Pet Talk 6: Natural Flea Remedies

Great news that the toxic pesticide used in flea collars and dog shampoos is now banned.  The Department of Agriculture and the Legal Resource Centre have called for the pesticide Chlorpyrifos, the active ingredient in dog shampoos and flea collars, to be completely prohibited in South Africa.

The other poisonous active ingredients used in many flea and tick repellents is fipronil and permethrin, which is also the active ingredient in many household pesticides. This  too is a poison and is also putting our pets and children in danger.

MANY people have seen adverse reactions in their dogs after using permethrin-based flea and tick products. These reactions include any of the following: skin disorders (itchiness, redness, hair discoloration, hair loss, bleeding sores), lethargy, difficulty walking, loss of appetite, changes in behavior, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death.

Bathing pets in chemical soups

Each year, pet owners purchase and apply to their pets a vast array of toxic chemicals intended to kill fleas and ticks. These products are designed to poison insects, and they usually do just that. But they can also poison pets and the people who handle them.

Moreover, when these products are combined in the home, as they often are, with other toxic chemical products in common use – pesticides, herbicides, and other products – they can pose a serious health risk, especially to children.

I find it hard to believe that these products are not absorbed in to the tissues and organs of the animal, accumulating over time, with a consequent impact on the well-being of the pet.

Natural alternatives repel fleas and ticks

Besides the importance of regular grooming and brushing, there are some wonderful natural alternatives that repel fleas and ticks without being dangerous to our pets health. Garlic has been used for centuries as a natural antibiotic but also to repel parasites, mosquitoes and fleas. Aloe bitters is also very effective.

Vondi’s Khakibos Shampoo is a great flea and tick repellent. Many older folk will tell you of stories how they would cover their carpets and curtains with Khakibos.

All these natural repellents are readily available in South Africa, without the inherent dangers of using chemicals and poison.