PAW’S CORNER

By Sam Mazzotta

Beware of Some “Natural” Flea and Deworming Treatments

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: I want my dog to be healthy and to use natural treatments as much as possible. So I don’t like giving her conventional, mainstream ea and tick chewables or making her wear a chemical-laced collar. And if I have to deworm her, I don’t want to give her medications that carry a risk of side e ects. But I’m also seeing a lot of products that are touted as “natural” that contain ingredients that are pretty questionable -- like garlic tablets for dogs! (Garlic is toxic to dogs and cats, if you’re wondering.) Can you let your readers know that it’s very important to read the labels and make sure a natural supplement is actually safe? -- Rebecca in Winchester, Virginia ere’s a risk that over-the-counter and “natural” medications can make your pet as ill -- or even sicker -- than the vet’s recommended medication. Treating parasitic infestations in pets can be tough, and it’s important to balance the type of treatment with the health of the pet.

DEAR REBECCA: You told them, and I thank you. Many “natural” ea and tick preventatives exist today, but reading the label is imperative.

Over-the-counter treatments and preventatives are not as tightly regulated as prescription medications given by veterinarians. ey may contain ingredients that are known to be harmful to dogs and cats -- like garlic, onion or tobacco. And they are generally less e ective at prevention, and o en completely ine ective for treating an active infestation.

So folks, read the labels, consider all the risks and talk to your vet before jumping entirely onto the “natural” wagon. ask@pawscorner.com.

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