from Animal Update, HSUS

Each year, millions of Americans purchase flea and tick products believing that these products have been thoroughly tested and are safe for both pets and their caregivers. But the EPA has been reviewing pesticide risks in pet products only since 1996, and because the agency is backlogged, many pet products containing potentially harmful pesticides still make their way onto store shelves.

A variety of common flea and tick products contain chemicals called organophosphate insecticides (OPs) and carbamates, both of which have been linked to brain damage, endocrine system problems and certain kinds of cancer. An overdose can kill people and pets. Even with normal use, organophosphate products can pose a serious health risk.

Flea and tick products marketed under the following major brand names have been found to contain OPs: Alco, Americare, Beaphar, Double Duty, Ford's, Freedom Five, Happy Jack, Hartz, Hopkins, Kill-Ko, Protection, Rabon, Riverdale, Sergeant's, Unicorn, Vet-Kem, Victory and Zema.

The dangers posed by these products are greatest for children and pets. Because children's nervous systems are still developing, these chemicals have the potential to do serious and lasting damage. For pets, the data is limited, but it appears that hundreds and probably thousands of pets have been injured or killed through exposure to pet products containing pesticides. Cats are particularly vulnerable since they often lack enzymes for metabolizing or detoxifying OPs.

Reduce the risk to your pet and your family during flea season.

Avoid OP-based products by looking for any of these active ingredients on the label: chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, phosmet, naled, tetrachlorvinphos, diazinon and malathion. Also avoid products containing carbamates by looking for the chemical names carbaryl and propoxur on the label.

Use alternatives to chemical flea products. Simple steps can keep fleas at bay without the use of chemicals. Use a flea comb, vacuum frequently and dispose of the bags, mow areas of the lawn where your dog spends time, wash pet bedding weekly and wash your pet with a pesticide-free pet shampoo.

Use safer pesticide products. If these steps are not effective, consider using a product whose label lists insect growth regulators (IGRs). These will prevent the next generation of fleas, but will not kill insects already on your pet, so use them in conjunction with other measures. Common and effective IGRs include those made with lufenuron (Program and Sentinel), methoprene (Precor) and pyriproxyfen (Nylar, EctoKyl).

Use the new generation of flea-control products. Several relatively new products on the market kill fleas but have no effect on the nervous systems of mammals: imidacloprid (Advantage), fipronil (Frontline or Top Spot) and selamectin (Revolution). These products are available only by prescription.*

Finally, remember to always consult a veterinarian before buying or using any flea-control product. Always read instructions and warnings thoroughly and never apply pesticides to very young, elderly, pregnant or sick animals. If you think you or your pet has been affected by a pet product containing pesticides, call your local poison control center or the National Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435 - fee may apply) and report the incident to the EPA's national Pesticide Telecommunications Network (1-800-858-7378).

*Editor's Note: Holistic veterinarians do not agree that the "spot-on" pesticides do not present health risks to pets. Without proven alternatives, however, most people will continue to use them. Holistic vets suggest using the products less frequently than the manufacturers suggest and not using the products on very young, old or sick dogs.