Be Careful with Flea Medicines for Your Pet

Using flea killing medicines are a way of life for most pet owners, especially those of us in warmer climates. Fleas are nasty, relentless and prolific breeding little parasites. It pays to be careful when choosing what medicines to apply to your pets, since not only are they toxic to the pests you're trying to kill, but they can also be toxic to your dog or cat. Relying on what companies write for their descriptions for each product may not be reliable enough. It is best to get your veterinarian to recommend a product for you, than to just choose an over the counter brand on your own. It is better to be safe than sorry.

In the South, even indoor cats can get a nasty case of fleas that may become resistant to the regular flea meds that most people buy. What is an owner to do when they have used products that once worked, only to find out later that they aren't doing their job? Here are thoughts from my experience on this subject.

Rotate products

If you use the same brand of flea med, then try another brand, once the effects of the current brand have worn off. Don't double dose your pet, whatever you do. Follow your vet's instructions, and don't rely on the package. This is important because he or she may know something you don't about the chemical makeup of the product and how it affects your pet. Flea medicine companies are going to print what you want to know, but they aren't going to necessarily tell you about the negative aspects of the product. The vet has seen what happens if a product is bad or is misused. Let them tell you if the product is good for your pet, and ask if there are any additional usage tips for it, to be safe.

Be careful with carpet flea killers and over the counter flea meds

If you have a cat, especially, avoid products that contain Linalool or Pyrethrins, which are dangerous chemicals for cats. Cats are especially susceptible to problems because they clean themselves and ingest whatever is on their fur. Also, don't use dog products on cats, because they are made with different chemicals, and are not the same. The effects on a cat are unpleasant, such as drooling, bobble head actions, staggering and worse. My one cat had a severe reaction to flea meds that were marketed over the counter by a popular pet website. I was instructed by the vet to bathe him using Dawn dish detergent, to remove any traces of the flea chemicals from his fur. It helped some, but I took the cat to the vet, to be checked the next day. He's ok now but it took him weeks to stop the dramatic nerve problems. It was really scary and I no longer trust any over the counter products when it comes to flea meds. Many products may contain a warning saying that "Some pets may have adverse reactions" (or something similar to that message), but don't gamble on your pet's health by trying. Ask the vet, and if your pet begins acting strange, immediately take him in to be checked.

Prescription flea meds can actually save you money

By getting a six month supply of quality flea killer such as Revolution from the vet, you will save yourself and your pet a lot of headaches further on down the road. Though the doses aren't cheap, they will save you money in the long run because they kill off the fleas and keep them from infesting your carpet, your pet, and you. By being vigilant in using them, you kill their life cycle, and save yourself money by not needing to battle them later (if you do have an infestation problem). Fleas started the Black Plague centuries ago, and they cause a host of health problems even now, for your pets, carrying other problems such as tapeworms and more parasitical pests. Nip those nasty little buggers in the bud now, to keep your pet and home safe and flea free. Your pet will be thankful that you did.