Super Eco

Photo credit: allyaubry, flickr

Could we offer up the idea that things that are poisonous are ... well, poisonous? Today's case in point: flea collars, which deposit chemicals that are known to cause neurological damage and cancer all over your pet, your family and your home. The problem is so pervasive that the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has filed a lawsuit in California against major pet product retailers and manufacturers for illegally selling pet products containing a known cancer-causing chemical called propoxur without proper warning labels.

We're pleased as punch that someone is helping protect consumers from truly hazardous products. But there's more to learn and do here than simply moving flea collars into the no-buy zone. "Just because a product is sold in stores does not mean it is safe,” said Dr. Gina Solomon, NRDC senior scientist and physician, said of the toxic flea collars. “Under California law, consumers have a right to know if a flea control product exposes them to health risks before they buy it.”

The broader message that so often gets missed is this: Modern technology can be viciously effective, and products designed to poison succeed more often than not. In the end, then, flea collars are toxic to fleas, pets and humans alike. No matter how polished manufacturers become with their methods of delivery, toxic chemicals worn on a collar around your beloved pet's neck are going to end up on his fur, your hands, your carpets and furniture, your children ...

But for now, back to your pets. Most pets don't need annual chemical flea and tick control treatments, including heavy-handed, toxic foggers and pesticides. Begin a baseline flea care routine that includes frequent vacuuming, regular flea combing and removing ticks with tweezers. If you still have problems, your vet can recommend more rigorous yet still holistic treatments.