Please note: Media Relations is unable to answer questions about specific pet health problems. Contact your veterinarian.

Thursday, July 15, 1999

K-STATE VET SAYS HERBAL PREVENTATIVES MAY NOT MAKE FLEAS FLEE

MANHATTAN -- Pet owners may want to think twice about using "natural" or "organic" methods of flea prevention, including the use of herbs, according to Kansas State University veterinarian Dr. Michael Dryden.

Dryden, an associate professor of parasitology and an internationally known flea researcher, said herbal flea preventatives, such as adding garlic or flaxseed oil to pet food or using the scents of cedar, lavender, mint or rosemary to keep fleas at bay, haven't been proven to do the job.

"There is no data available to substantiate the efficacy and safety of herbal flea preventatives," Dryden said. "There's been one study on the use of garlic as a flea preventative and it showed nothing."

While some herbs and plants do appear to "bug" certain insects, Dryden said they also can make your pet sick.

"For example, cedar shavings are toxic to insects -- but they also can be toxic to cats and dogs," he said. "Exposure to certain cedar and pine woods and pine resin can cause asthma and chronic lung disease."

Rubbing herbal oils, such as pennyroyal oil, on pets to prevent fleas also can be dangerous, Dryden said.

"Most oils kill insects, but the problem is they also can be toxic to pets," he said. "Both dogs and cats have died as the result of accidental ingestion of pennyroyal oil. The oil is toxic to the liver and kidneys. Pets accidentally ingest the oil while grooming themselves."

Dryden recommends consulting with a veterinarian before trying any herbal or organic flea preventatives on a pet. He also cautions against using products made for humans on pets. Since many products today are made without animal testing, it's not known if they are safe to use on pets.

"Just because it says 'natural' or 'organic' on the label doesn't make it safe. Keep in mind that most poisons are actually natural or organic substances," Dryden said.

"The bottom line is why use herbal remedies when we have safe, effective compounds for flea prevention on the market today," he said.

Products include monthly pills that prevent the growth of fleas on pets, to sprays and spot-ons for killing fleas already on pets. Dryden suggests checking with your veterinarian for recommendations.

If a pet does have fleas, Dryden said not only must the animal be treated but its home environment may also need to be treated. This includes the pet's bedding; upholstered furniture, carpeting and rugs, where fleas can spread; and outside doghouses and shrubbery, which can be cool, shady places where fleas can thrive.

Prepared by Beth Bohn.

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