
#3 “All natural” or “organic” doesn’t mean a product is completely safe or without side effects.Įssential oils, including peppermint oil, citrus oils (e.g., limonene, linalool), cinnamon oil and lemon grass oil, can be found in some topical flea control products. And if you’re shopping for a flea and tick product for your dog, be sure to tell your veterinarian if you have a cat at home! Your pet’s veterinarian knows your dog or cat better than anyone - other than you and your family. This is especially important when treating very young puppies and kittens, elderly or sick pets, those on other medications, and those pets that are pregnant or nursing. #2 Even if you intend to purchase a flea and tick control product elsewhere, talk to your pet’s veterinarian first.
PETZ DOGZ 2 S2 CONTROLS PLUS
Fipronil (e.g., Frontline ®, Frontline Plus and others), even at concentrations found in spot-on products, is potentially deadly to rabbits, causing appetite loss, lethargy and seizures. Labels of these products now include an explicit warning against use on cats, but the warning often goes unnoticed or is ignored because owners are not aware of the potentially severe consequences if the product is used on cats. High permethrin concentrations (40+%) can be toxic cats, causing vomiting, incoordination, difficulty breathing, tremors and seizures that can be life-threatening if left untreated. Since some ingredients may be extremely toxic to cats (e.g., permethrin) and rabbits (e.g., fipronil), it is vital to know which species the product can be safely used on.

Need another important reason to read a product’s label? Some flea and tick spot-ons can have similar brand names yet contain different active ingredients (e.g., Advantage ® II, Advantage Multi ® and K9 Advantix ®), which can be confusing to pet owners. Who to call for help or more information is also often found on the product label or packaging.
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The label tells us how to correctly and safely use the product - including whether it can be applied to dogs only, cats only or both dogs and cats - as well as specifying the age and size of pet for which it is intended. Our pets rely on us for protection, not just from parasites like fleas and ticks, but also from misuse of products intended to protect their health. Better yet, read the label before purchasing the product and read it again just prior to applying the product.

You’d be stunned how many callers tell us they applied a product to their dog - or more likely their cat - and then read the label. #1 Yes, you really must read the label before applying any product to your pet. Here are four things I think pet owners should know before purchasing and applying a flea and tick solution.

Concerns range from reapplying a product too soon to what to do when a product has been mistakenly applied to the wrong pet. At Pet Poison Helpline, spring also brings an increase in calls about topical flea and tick spot-ons. With spring’s arrival, pet owners are starting their monthly rituals for controlling fleas and ticks, which typically involve application of a topical solution, or “spot-on” product. Certified Veterinary Technician at Pet Poison Helpline
