The internet is a blessing and a curse when it comes to trying to research the differences between natural and chemical flea treatments for your pets, which makes it very hard to know what is the best path to choose. For some it’s an easy decision – they don’t want to use anything chemical on their furry friends however, many can be a bit nervous about pets being in contact with essential oils. For others it’s about getting results fast. No-one wants an itchy, scratchy household for any length of time after all.
We are frequently asked very similar questions about the ingredients we use in our Free From Fleas products and how effective they really are, so below we will try to answer the most asked ones and explain a little about our philosophy too.
Chemical vs Natural. What are the main differences?
Other than the obvious types of ingredients used in the formulation of products, the main difference is in the way the active ingredients work. In harsh chemical treatments pesticide chemicals such as fipronol or imidaclopid are added to over-stimulate the nervous system of a parasite killing 98-100% of adult fleas within 24 hours. They get fast results, but let’s not forget anything being applied topically is also absorbed into the bloodstream of your pet.
The active ingredients used in natural treatments, such as quassia bark, acetic acid, catnip, certain essential oils, neem oil etc. work to deter and repel fleas and ticks by creating an inhospitable environment in which they fail to thrive. They do not kill fleas and ticks instantaneously and so, any expectations of an herbal product working in the same as a chemical product are not going to be realised in any natural product on the market.
It is worth noting not even harsh chemical products can guarantee 100% efficacy.
Our approach is to give your pet the best chance against parasites without having to use chemical ingredients that can be toxic to pets and damaging to the environment (*See footnote). Our product is fortified with natural, but powerful ingredients, like quassia bark, rosemary and acetic acid which have all been used as natural insecticidal remedies, for pets and in organic farming, for many years.
Why do you use essential oils when many are proved to be unsafe for pets?
Good question. Many people have worries when it comes to exposing our beloved furry friends to essential oils and quite rightly so. Some essential oils are toxic and can prove harmful, or even fatal, if administered incorrectly or in high doses.
To give some reassurance, our Free From Fleas spot-on treatments contain a carefully selected, small amount of essential oils. These, however, are not the main active ingredients in the product, which are in fact quassia bark, catnip extract, rosemary and a small amount of acetic acid. The essential oils are added to our formula because they are proven to elevate the effectiveness of the main ingredients in repelling fleas naturally - but it only takes a tiny amount of essential oil to improve the effectiveness.
We only ever choose essential oils that are safe for pets and we also tailor the essential oil to the animal - which is why we use cedarwood in our cat spot-on in place of lemongrass which is what we use in our dog spot-on treatments.
There are many other natural ingredients that perform exceptionally well when it comes to flea prevention, but our recipe focusses on the perfect balance of combining only what is necessary to get the job done.
How quickly will your spot-on kill fleas? / My pet has a flea infestation and I’ve been using your spot-on daily for 7 days as per your instructions, but he is still scratching. Why hasn’t it worked?
Due to the natural formulation of our spot on, it might take a little bit longer than 7 days for it to work if the flea infestation has not been spotted at first signs (which often proves to be difficult). If your pet has an infestation it is critical to first break the flea life cycle in order to create the inhospitable environment that will be prevent fleas returning, so understanding the flea life cycle is key.
By ensuring that all soft furnishings, pet bedding, carpets, etc. are treated/hoovered to make sure any fleas or eggs are eliminated this will prevent re-infestation and break the cycle. Until that point it is perfectly fine to use the spot-on treatment for a longer period of time. Just slightly alter the application site each time.
Should the flea control be applied on the back of the neck where they can't lick it off?
Ideally yes, however, due to the natural formulation, it is also fine to apply and rub in single droplets to other commonly infested areas such as axillas (armpits). We always recommend slightly alternating the application position, especially when prolonged use is needed.
How often can I use the Free From Fleas shampoo or dry shampoo?
We suggest, for ongoing prevention and/or maintenance, to apply the shampoo/dry shampoo only once a week. If fleas or ticks are present, you can increase to twice per week with a minimum of 48 hours between each application. If using the dry shampoo, allow the coat to dry completely before allowing the cat to groom itself and brush the coat with a soft brush.
I have both dogs and cats. Should I be worried about the cat coming into contact with the dog spot-on treatment?
Our Free From Fleas spot-on for dogs contains a very small amount of lemongrass essential oil, which is safe around all of your pets. If, however, you are worried about your feline friend getting in contact with the dog treatment, we would suggest using Free From Fleas spot-on for cats on your dog as well. It does not contain lemongrass essential oil, but instead contains cedarwood. This blend of herbal infusions and essential oils is equally effective in deterring fleas on dogs, but tailored to be safe for regular use on cats.
Do we need to vacate the property for a period of time after using your household flea spray?
There is no need to leave the property but we would suggest keeping the room/surfaces clear of pets for 10-15 minutes to allow the spray time to settle and dry out slightly and to avoid any transference of damp spray to their paws or coat.
SHOP FREE FROM FLEAS
* Footnote: The Environmental Impact of Chemical Flea Treatments
Chemical flea treatments might well kill fleas within 24 hours and protect pets for up to a month, but there are also further reaching downsides than just the thought of using insecticides on your pet to consider, which are often overlooked.
In recent years there has been a growing concern raised through scientific studies into the transference of the insecticidal ingredients commonly used in chemical flea treatments (such as fipronil and imidaclopid) into waterways, resulting in environmental pollution. This transference can happen in many ways, but most notably when treated animals swim, are bathed, their bedding is washed or when the person applying the spot-on subsequently washes their hands.
To put that into perspective: In 2018 it is estimated that 9.4 million imidaclopid doses were applied to dogs that year. Results from a 2020 survey showed over a third of spot-on treated dogs are likely to swim at least once a month in waterways, over half are likely to be bathed monthly, and over two thirds have their bedding washed each month. This translates into at least 3.3 million dogs swimming, 5 million dogs being bathed and 6.3 million dogs beds being washed. The conclusion being that the cumulative impact is of serious concern and necessitates further studying.
Reference: Perkins & Goulson (2023). ‘To flea or not to flea: survey of UK companion animal ectoparasiticide usage and activities affecting pathways to the environment’. Source PeerJ. [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10405796]
This leads to us concluding that natural flea prevention is the way forward – and we would appreciate anyone helping to spread the word.