Dr. Mercola Natural Flea and Tick Defense Spray

Don't let nasty fleas and ticks get in the way of your pet's health! Use Dr. Mercola Natural Flea and Tick Defense Spray to keep your pet parasite-free, without harmful chemicals. Here are the natural Brazilian oils and ingredients found in Natural Flea and Tick Defense spray:

* • Lemongrass oil –When formulated into a spray for pets, promotes a shiny, healthy coat, and helps repel fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.
* • Cinnamon oil – A versatile essential oil widely used in the household. It is an effective environmentally-friendly ingredient that helps deter mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, and other pests from attacking your dog or cat.
* • Sesame oil – A rich, almost odorless oil derived from tiny sesame seeds. When combined with other essential oils it helps protect against pests and promotes the health of your pet’s skin and coat.
* • Castor oil – Castor oil has been used for years by veterinarians. When combined with other oils, helps to repel a variety of pests. * • Purified water – Only the purest water is used to help blend and properly balance the unique formula of essential oils.

It's not the individual elements that make Natural Flea and Tick Defense so effective, it’s the expert blending and balancing of the Brazilian oils with the pure water. This is what distinguishes a natural effective product from just a natural ingredient.

The types of oils and correct percentages of oils blended together are not only important for assuring efficacy, but also safety -- especially for cats.

Results from a 2006 study did show how the Natural Flea and Tick Defense formulation was well tolerated by cats. This is a very important distinction for this product.

You can trust that Natural Flea and Tick Defense is formulated to be safe and effective.

8 fl oz spray bottle.

Comments from Dr. Mercola and Dr. Becker (DVM) about "spot-on" pesticide products (those applied to the neck or back of dogs and cats):

In April, 2010, the EPA issued an advisory about “spot-on” chemical pesticide products. These are products applied to the neck or back of dogs and cats as a flea and tick preventive.

The advisory was issued due to a significant increase in reported adverse reactions – everything from mild skin irritation to seizures and death. In 2008, over 44,000 reactions presumed to be tied to spot-on products were reported by pet owners, veterinarians, and other animal caretakers.

And the 44,000 reported incidents in 2008 was a significant jump from the 28,000 the prior year, and included 600 deaths.

In Dr. Becker's opinion, the risks of these products are simply too great to warrant their routine (monthly) use. She encourages dog and cat owners to avoid these pesticides in favor of safer, more natural alternatives.

Coming up, she'll provide an effective recommendation for a non-toxic, natural flea and tick deterrent. But first, here are more details on…
What the EPA Pet Spot-on Incident Report Revealed

Due to the EPA’s concern over the number of incidents reported from spot-on use in 2008, they issued a report in 2010 that revealed the following…

* • Most adverse reactions were seen in dogs weighing between 10 and 20 pounds.

* • Reactions in mixed breed dogs were most commonly reported, however, the Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, Miniature Poodle, Pomeranian, Dachshund, Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier, and Bichon Frise seem particularly at risk.
* • Products containing the chemicals cyphenothrin and permethrin were especially problematic for small breed dogs. Cyphenothrin is found in spot-on repellents from many companies, sold both over the counter and through veterinarians.
* • Most incidents occurred in dogs under three years old, likely at their first exposure to a spot-on product.
* • Adverse reactions for both dogs and cats were primarily skin, GI tract, and nervous system related. Skin reactions included redness, itching, hair loss, sores and ulcers. Spot-on products found to cause these types of reactions included a major market leader.
* • Gastrointestinal symptoms included vomiting, diarrhea, and salivation. Spot-on repellents found to cause some levels of these symptoms included another major market leader, whose products have been sold by the millions at big box pet stores across the country.
* • Reported nervous system symptoms included lethargy, nervousness, ataxia (movement problems), tremors, and seizure.
* • A number of serious adverse reactions in cats were the result of the cat either being treated with a product intended for dogs, or through exposure to a treated dog.
* • Inert ingredients in spot-on products were generally assumed to contribute to toxicity.
* • Dosage ranges were considered to be too wide in some cases and product labeling was identified by the EPA as needing revamp in many instances.
* • The EPA’s Companion Animal Studies guidelines are insufficient to predict the toxicity of spot-on products.

Dr. Becker is sure you understand now why she avoids recommending any of these chemically-laden spot-on pesticides for your pets.
She realizes many people like to use spot-ons because they are convenient and effective. But as far as she's concerned, there’s just too much evidence of potential unhealthy consequences for your pets.