Mr Slobberchops W.T.F

No, its not what you are thinking... Worms, Ticks & Fleas!

Its that time of year where we start thinking about prevention for our seasonal pests, and this year we have increased our range of natural solutions in store.

Over the past couple of years there have been a few different studies into conventional flea and tick treatments and how they are effecting our environment - did you know that ONE traditional spot on treatment contains enough pesticide to kill 25,000,000 bees. Yes, you read that correctly, 25 MILLION bees.

A recent study at the University of Sussex has found that pesticides used in regular flea treatments are found in 98% of English rivers, some of this is from dogs swimming in the waters, but much more comes from household drains when we are bathing our pets, washing their bedding, and washing hands after applying product or stroking our pets.

Another study funded by the charity Songbird Survival, found that 100% of Blue Tit and Great Tit nests contained pesticides from pet flea treatments and have been able to link this to nestling mortality rates.

To understand why it's important to use natural prevention, we need to look a little into how chemical flea and tick treatments work. Chemical flea and tick treatments (Note - treatments, we don't regularly treat ourselves for head lice on the just in case) are a dose of pesticides that accumulate in your pet's blood and skin, when a flea or tick lands on your pet, they have to bite and draw blood before becoming paralysed and dying, this can take 24-48 hours.

In September 2018 the FDA put a warning on Isoxazoline flea and tick products as they have been associated with neurological reactions in dogs and cats with no previous medical history for these conditions. These side effects can range from seizures, convulsions, skin disorders, ataxia and even death.

Some of the products covered by this warning include:

• Bravecto

• Nexgaurd

• Simparica

• Nexgaurd Spectra

• Bravecto Plus

• Revolution Plus

• Simparica Triple

If all of the above isn't enough to get us thinking of alternative routes, then I don't know what is.

New in store - Natural Flea, Tick and Worm Prevention.

If you'd like to learn more about other alternatives, please pop in and speak to a member of the team to find the best solution for you and your pets, or read on for a basic guide.

Flea & Tick Prevention ​

It is possible to prevent fleas, and ticks naturally, without the use of harsh chemicals being used as a just in case – after all we don't regularly treat ourselves for headlice if we do not have them.​

Using natural methods are much safer and equally effective when done properly. The main difference with natural prevention is that you aim to repel the fleas and ticks so that they don't see your pet as a host in the first place. ​

With natural methods it is important to use a multilayered approach, by this we mean from the inside and outside of your pet. ​

Internal options: ​

Mr Slobberchops Don't Bug Me Now Food Supplement​

Aniforte Tick Sheild Capsules ​

These products work from the inside as a daily food supplement to help your dog appear less appealing to fleas and ticks. (Think eating a really tasty garlic curry, and giving off a garlicy smell the next day!)​

External Options: ​

Mr Slobberchops Don't Bug Me Now Spray ​

Mr Slobberchops Don't Bug Me Now Roll on ​

Mr Slobberchops Don’t Bug Me Now Spot On for cats and dogs. ​

Mr Slobberchops Flea & Tick Collar (Lasts 8 months)​

Aniforte Flea Ex Spray ​

These products are 100% natural and contain safe essential oils to repel fleas and ticks. Depending on the product guidelines you would use these daily/weekly/fortnightly to repel from the outside.

Worm Prevention.​

Traditional chemical wormers are only treating for a snapshot in time, even though we are recommended to treat every three months, those treatments themselves are not providing 3 months coverage for worms. In easier terms, you could treat your dog/cat on a Tuesday, which would eliminate any worms in their system within 48 hours, then the following Tuesday they could pick up worm eggs through the environment and become infested again, until the next time you treat. ​

With natural prevention, the aim is to make your pet inhabitable to the worms in the first place, and using a multilayered approach is the best way to do this. ​

Internal options: (All of the below)​

Ground Pumpkin Seeds (1/2tsp per 10kg bodyweight every other day) ​

Pumpkins are from the GOURD family, they contain an amino acid called cucurbitin, this amino acid found in the seeds paralyses and eliminates worms.​

Furry Chews 2-3 times per week​

Hairy Rabbits ears, Hairy cows ears, Hairy Lamb Headskins etc. ​

Optional – Garlic​

(Yes garlic is safe for dogs! Just not for Japanese Breeds, Puppies under 6 months or pregnant or whelping bitches.)​

½ tsp per 10kg of bodyweight. It is important to crush the garlic and allow it to sit for 15 minutes to allow the release of allicin, the allicin in garlic disrupts the vital processes within parasites, leaving them defenseless. ​

Additional Options: ​

Mr Slobberchops Don’t Bug Me Now Food Supplements​

Verm-X Liquid​

WORM COUNTS​

You'll also need to do the all important worm counts with a natural approach. These can be done as a single service or a subscription through www.feclab.co.uk​

Intestinal worms – Every 3 months.​

Lungworms – Every 6-8 weeks.