4 Reasons to Think Twice About Traditional Flea & Tick Products

We care about the health of our furry friends as though they’re family.

We want to do everything we can to keep them safe, happy, and healthy. Given that, it’s understandable that we purchase flea collars, sprays, topical solutions and other commercial repellents to keep fleas and ticks at bay.

While we mean well, the truth is we may be unwittingly putting their health, and the health of our family at risk as a result.

There's no question, traditional flea collars, powders and sprays are really effective at killing fleas and ticks. They absolutely work. 

But their effectiveness comes at a cost. The reason they're so effective is that they use chemicals that are toxic to the pests. The problem is, those toxins can also be harmful to not only our pets, but to our families too.

There's another way. A natural path that we think is a lot better. It really is possible to prevent flea infestations, ticks, and even  mosquitoes naturally. 

But first things first, let's take a deeper look at four reasons to consider skipping traditional flea and tick products, and try a natural solution instead.

1. Flea and Tick Collars Contain Toxins and Pesticides

According to a report by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), most of the leading flea-control collars and other repellents contain potentially harmful pesticides that are linked to serious health issues in both pets and people.

Pet owners have been reporting that their pets suffer serious health issues due to commercial flea and tick repellents for decades. Some of the most common chemicals that are cause for concern include permethrin, tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP), cyphenothrin, phenothrin and propoxur, all of which have been scientifically proven to be harmful to dogs, cats and humans.

TCVP belongs to a known group of nerve-damaging chemicals referred to as organophosphates. Propoxur has been shown to cause nerve damage, and it’s on California’s Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to cause cancer.

2. They’re a Health Risk to Children  

Flea collars leave enough residue to pose a danger of cancer and neurological damage to toddlers and children -- 1,000 times higher than safe levels. Young children are more vulnerable to pesticides because their nervous systems and brains are still developing. As a result, they’re less able to metabolize those chemicals than adults.

Propoxur is particularly toxic to children’s developing nervous system, and can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, wheezing, muscle twitching, respiratory paralysis, seizures, sweating and even cancer.

3. Pesticide Residue Can Contaminate Your Home

Residue from toxic flea collars also ends up in all the places your pets hang out, including on your furniture where your children and other family members spend time. It’s especially dangerous for kids, because they come into even closer contact with toxic pesticides each time they play with their furry friends.

The Natural Resources Defense Council tested flea and tick collars to learn how the chemicals were leaching out. They conducted a test by applying a powder that glows under a UV light to the animal’s neck where a flea collar normally sits. The testers discovered the residue easily spread throughout the environment to furniture, rugs, curtains, children’s toys, clothing and on humans.

4. Topical Products and Sprays are Toxic Too

If you think topical or spot-on products might be safer for your pets than flea collars, think again! The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a warning about spot-on chemical pesticide products for flea and tick control. Over 44,000 serious adverse reactions and 600 deaths were linked to topical products containing pesticides, and were widely reported by veterinarians, pet owners, and other animal caretakers.

Given all the above, traditional flea & tick solutions may be useful, but possibly they should be used as a last resort.

But if we skip the traditional solutions, what's there to do?

Fortunately, Effective, Natural Deterrents Already Exists – and They Can Work 

You can try using a supplement like GCP All Natural Flea & Tick Deterrent Chews, that helps protect your pet naturally, effectively, and safely. 

GCP All Natural Flea & Tick Deterrent is 100% chemical free, completely safe, and effectively deters fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. It only contains Mother Nature’s finest ingredients that have been demonstrated to protect pets from pests. There’s absolutely no risk of harmful side effects! Read more to discover how GCP All Natural Flea Deterrent is so effective at safely protecting pups from nasty critters.

The best part? You’ll have complete peace of mind knowing your furry friends and family aren’t being harmed by dangerous chemicals.