Taking care of fleas and ticks on your pet

by: Courtesy US EPA

Taking care of your pets responsibly includes protecting them from fleas and ticks. Before purchasing and applying pesticide products to pets to control fleas and ticks, there is important information you should know.

Purchasing and Applying Pesticide Products to Pets

• If you decide to, and before you, use a pesticide product on your pet, carefully read and follow the product label.
• Be sure you are choosing the correct product for your specific pet and for the particular pest problem. Certain products are approved only for dogs and not for cats.
• Observe any age and/or size restrictions and any reapplication intervals identified. If you have questions, contact the manufacturer or your veterinarian before applying.
• Do not use any pesticide product on debilitated, aged, medicated, sick, pregnant, or nursing pets, or on pets known to be sensitive to pesticide products without first reading the label to see if there are warnings about use on these sensitive animals and consulting a veterinarian.
• Before applying any pesticide product, be sure to read the entire label and follow it exactly.
• Never separate or discard the package, which contains the label, from the product container (such as individual applicator tubes).
• Use only on animals listed on the product label.
• Observe your pet after application for any sign of sensitivity.
• If signs of sensitivity occur, bathe your pet with mild soap, rinse with large amounts of water, and consult a veterinarian immediately.

In an emergency call your local veterinarian immediately or if unavailable, please call one of the following poison centers for assistance.

• American Association for Poison Control Centers - (1-800-222-1222).

About the Author

Courtesy US EPA