People that have pets consider them a part of the family. We want to watch them grow, play and have the best possible life that they can. This means that we take them to the vet for check-ups, get them quality food, toys, beds, and even tick medication. However, that tick medication may not be as safe as you think and in fact, it may be causing even more problems for your furry friend!
The truth about tick meds is:
Both active and inactive ingredients in tick medications have been shown to have potentially harmful effects time and again on our furry pals.
-The active ingredient in Frontline, fipronil, remains in a pet’s system and may cause nervous system and thyroid toxicity over time. While Frontline would have you believe the chemicals stay on the skin and in the oil glands, other research has shown the opposite—it gets absorbed into the dog’s body and organs. It can potentially lead to thyroid cancer, liver toxicity, kidney toxicity and reduced fertility.
-Another medication, Advantage, contains a known neurotoxin which has been shown to increase cholesterol levels, liver toxicity, lack of coordination and muscle weakness.
-The common ingredient, permethrin, may result in brain damage, heart attacks, endocrine dysfunction and seizures. This is found in many tick medications, including Bio Spot Flea and Tick Control, Vectra and Defend EXspot Treatment.
All natural solutions require a dedication of time and effort. Check your pal thoroughly every single day, especially when ticks are abundant. To deter ticks, you can use dog-safe blends of essential oils, which can be highly effective, but be careful. Never use undiluted essential oils on your dogs and make sure the ones you plan on using are dog-safe.
Rose geranium oil is a particularly great oil for deterring ticks. By applying deterrents regularly and being vigilant, you can effectively manage your dog’s tick problems without necessarily resorting to prescription-strength meds.
Who would have thought that medicine that is supposed to help your pet could actually lead to more health problems? Now that you know how toxic those tick medications can be, you'll want to pay more attention to the active ingredients. You may even want to try some natural alternatives instead. This way your pet can stay as healthy and active for as long as possible!
To learn more about what tick meds may be doing to your pet, visit Care2.
