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PET OWNERS ARE BEING URGED TO TAKE ON THIS ADVICE WHEN IT COMES TO GIVING THEIR DOG OR CATS FLEA TREATMENTS 16:52, 05 Mar 2025 A warning has been issued to any pet owners who have a cat or
dog as they are being urged to avoid 'year-round flea treatments'. Bird experts at Vine House Farm are informing pet owners that their cats or dogs' flea and tick treatment
poses a serious threat to certain garden birds, notably blue tits and great tits. The treatment has been linked to causing reproductive issues with birds, and even death. Flea treatment can
also have an impact on aquatic insects, should the treated dog swim in a pond or watercourse. The warning comes as 80 percent of cats and dogs in the UK receive regular flea treatments.
Following the public release of new results from a recent study by the University of Sussex, funded by bird charity SongBird Survival, bird expert Lucy Taylor explains: “We have been very
concerned about the published results from a recent study by the University of Sussex that shows a clear link between flea and tick treatments used for cats, dogs and livestock, and the
negative impact on the breeding success for birds which line their nests with fur and hair – and notably Blue tits and Great tits. "As a basis for the study, 103 nests were collected
and analysed after the last breeding season, with 100 percent of these showing contamination from fipronil, and 89% from imidacloprid – two of the main chemicals which are used in the
veterinary treatments. The impact of these chemicals leads to higher numbers of unhatched eggs and dead chicks, and therefore negatively impacts on some songbird population levels."
Both chemicals that were present in the nests are banned in the European Union for agricultural and plant protection, but remain legal in the UK for flea and tick treatments in the form of
shampoos, spot-on treatments, and sprays. Lucy continued: "This situation has led to calls for the government to conduct a more comprehensive environmental risk assessment of veterinary
drugs. However, even if this happens, it will clearly take a long time. In the meantime, we urge pet owners using flea or tick treatments to look for alternative methods to protect garden
birds from these toxins.” HOW TO PROTECT BIRDS FROM TOXIC FLEA AND TICK TREATMENTS AVOID YEAR-ROUND FLEA TREATMENTS Lucy urges: "The British Veterinary Association already recommends
that vets should avoid blanket year-round flea and tick treatment policies, and instead advocate that they have discussions with their clients to risk-assess when such treatments are
needed." CHOOSE NATURAL FLEA TREATMENTS "Plenty of non-toxic flea and tick solutions are available, including plant-based supplements you can add to your pet’s food and natural
sprays and shampoos that help repel pests without harsh chemicals," she says. USE A FLEA COMB REGULARLY "A fine-toothed flea comb helps remove fleas and ticks from your pet’s coat
without relying on chemicals by trapping adult fleas, flea eggs, and flea dirt between its teeth. To effectively remove fleas with a pet comb, you should use it daily on your pet," Lucy
advises. MINIMISE CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION Article continues below Lucy says: "If you use flea treatments, be mindful of how you dispose of treated pet fur. Birds often collect fur for
nesting, so it’s best to brush your pet indoors, dispose of the fur into a biodegradable bag and drop it into a dog waste bin. The best way to safely dispose of any unused flea and worm
treatments or other pet medications is to take them back to your vet clinic.”