Keeping Pets Healthy in Summer Months

We love the warm sunny days of summer! Getting outside with our pets is full of opportunities for fun. However, one of the biggest challenges that summer brings is the bugs. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes can all put our pet’s health at risk.

There are shelves upon shelves of bug repellents and collars available for your pet, so how do you choose the best way to keep your family healthy and safe? Unfortunately, many of the pesticides allowed for use on pets in bug repellents are linked to serious health issues in people, such as cancer and respiratory problems. Pets can also suffer side effects from these products including skin irritation, neurological problems, gastrointestinal disorders, and even organ failure. Dangerous insecticides in sprays and collars put both pets and people at risk, particularly children and pregnant women. The residues of these chemicals can linger on your pet’s fur and in our households. According to a 2009 NRDC report, “Residue levels produced by some flea collars are so high that they pose a risk of cancer and damage to the neurological system of children up to 1,000 times higher than the EPA’s acceptable levels.”

Fortunately, there are safe, natural, and effective products available that can ward off the bugs without the nasty side consequences. Keeping your pets clean is a first step to eradicating pest problems, especially with regard to fleas. Regular baths and a flea comb are simple chemical-free ways to remove fleas. Combing through your pet’s fur and dipping the comb immediately into sudsy water can eliminate any unwelcome discoveries.

Using non-toxic products, such as essential oils, can also ward off pests without chemicals and risky side effects. For example, ticks dislike the smell of lemon, lavender, and geranium essential oils that can be useful preventatives for attracting common pet pests. Fleas and mosquitoes also loathe peppermint oil. Natural products containing these oils can deter the bugs more safely. Keep in mind that these essential oils are powerful and should not be applied directly to the skin of either pets or humans as they could create irritation. Instead, make sure that the essential oils are mixed with a carrier oil or solution that is natural and gentle on the skin and fur.

Along these lines, Longevity’s Pet Peeve Plus is an all natural, non-toxic, DEET-free pest repellent that is safe for your pets and for the environment. The unique combination of essential oils used in Pet Peeve Plus, including geranium, lemongrass, and rosemary oils will deter fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes without toxins. Both 8-ounce and 1-ounce travel sizes are available to be sure that you can keep your spray handy on the go. Pet Peeve Plus shampoo is a gentle yet effective blend that will not only leave your pet clean and wonderful smelling, but can ward off the summer bugs.

Don’t miss out on the warm weather months this season. Guard your pets naturally and safely, and feel confident when you head to trails, park, or wherever your adventures lead. Find Longevity products at your independent pet retailer or online.

NRDC Issue Paper Poison on Pets II (April 2009): https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/poisonsonpets.pdf