Anti-Tick and Flea Products Harm the Environment. Now What?

You're not necessarily wrong for using anti-tick and flea products on your furry friends. We see our pet helplessly scratching and of course the parental instincts, so to speak, kick in. But the thing is, formulas for such products can have a bad track record for both owners and the environment.

Consider the case of the "spot-on" flea and tick treatments our pets have gone to the veterinary clinic every once in a while. The parasiticides here are spread all over the animal, but the thing is, common ingredients like imidacloprid and fipronil can be dangerous to animals and people, too. Research suggests that these treatments can cause severe damage to our waters and could become an eventual health risk. Wastewater from sewage treatment and domestic sources are, unfortunately, the main culprits for such.

In the case of the Philipppines, the rainy season is often a bad for pets, as more insects lurk around our living areas. Our warm and humid conditions also create ideal environments for ticks and fleas. These parasites can cause skin irritaion, allergic reactions, and anemia in pets. Disease like ehrlichiosis and tapeworms are too common, as well.

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So what can pet owners really do? Well, it might be best to avoid letting our pets swim after getting the treatment. Another way to reduce these products' environmental impact is to wash our pet's beddings (or any clothes that have come in contact with them) less. Even better, we could ask our vet if there are any other ways to resolve the matter using more appropriate, natural treatments.

Better yet, there's the option to take on more natural products. By that, we mean ones with formulas that consciously think about our pets and the environment's health. Dr. Shiba, for instance, recently came up with formulas that make use of exclusively natural ingredients like citronella and eucalyptus essential oils.

"By carefully selecting natural ingredients and optimizing our formulations, we've created a line of products unmatched in terms of both efficacy and safety," said Philipp Renner, co-founder and CEO of Dr. Shiba. "Pet owners can now have peace of mind knowing they are providing the best possible protection for their fur babies without compromising their health."

These products can also target specific spots. Pet owners can use the new collection and apply them directly onto the pet's coat. Problem areas like ears, armpits, and the groin should be monitored, as well. They have an interesting repellent effect. Natural anti-flea products, after all, interrupt the fleas' cycle just as effectively.

For more information, please visit Dr. Shiba. Portions of the proceeds will benefit the Pawssion Project, a local animal rescue organization.