Natural Flea and Tick Prevention

[Nancy]

I was wondering if anyone has used Mercola Natural Flea and Tick Prevention?

 http://shop.mercola.com/catalog/flea-tick,548,0,0.htm

I would really like to use a chemical free prevention on my pups, but I need it to work :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Nancy, Dr. Mercola and his entire website/empire is not credible. If you do a little bit of googling, you will find thousands of articles like these: 

https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/9-reasons-to-completely-ignore...

http://www.quackwatch.org/11Ind/mercola.html

http://www.alternet.org/personal-health/four-biggest-quacks-plaguin...

The same goes for the veterinary part of the website. Don't fall for it. I live in the area where these people "practice", and I can tell you that even the most "holistic" of veterinarians in the area take a dim view of the info and products on the Mercola website. 

There is no "natural" flea and tick preventative that has been shown to be effective. We all wish there was, nobody in the world would prefer to use the chemicals. But as with everything else, you have to weigh benefits against risks, and the risk of a flea infestation or tick-borne illness far surpasses that of using the chemical preventatives that have been in use for many many years and have been shown to be effective. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Also, if you do decide to try this product, be aware that some of these essential plant oils can lower the seizure threshold in dogs, and are toxic to cats. There's even a disclaimer in the product info about "sensitivities". 

[Nancy]

Karen,

Thank you so much for such valuable information!!!  I had no idea, but after reading the info that you posted, I'm sticking to Frontline Plus.  I have never had an issue with Frontline Plus, it has always worked well with my past dog and my current dog who is almost 5.   I did however have an older dog who had a reaction to Advantix.  I also have an 11 month old pup who I have not used any flea/tick prevention on yet but will start next month.  I had heard  been following other posts from another FB Group regarding possible side effects with flea and tick prevention medication so I thought I would look into a more natural way, but what you have told me makes much more sense!  Again I really appreciate it :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't think there is any kind of product out there that you couldn't find some negative anecdote about in some online group or review, lol.  I've been using Frontline for 12 years and never had a problem, and Jack is not a healthy dog. He has two serious immune-mediated diseases, yet he has never had any kind of negative reaction to Frontline Plus. And his dermatologist has told me that a flea infestation would be catastrophic for him, so for me the choice is pretty clear. :)

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Believe me Nancy, if there was a more natural or organic method that worked, I would be using it by now. It just goes against everything else I do for my dogs to have to put those chemicals on them, but Frontline Plus does work and ticks are everywhere at our summer home and I don't want to risk any tick-borne illnesses either.