Making River-Friendly Choices for Our Pets

Pet Case Study on Cat Flea Treatment Alternative.

CRKC recently spoke to Nicola Fearnley, a local renowned photographer - www.nicola-fearnley.co.uk , who lives with her partner, Mike, and her two cats, Leica and Lunar, a brother and sister aged 5. They are adventurous, outdoorsy cats, as well as being very lazy, snoozing through the day.

Leica and Luna don’t like spot-on treatments. They hate the smell of them, and when they hear the click of the tube, they run away. They feel very sorry for themselves for a few days after the treatment is administered.

Through CRKC, Nicola and Mike discovered that many flea and tick products such as spot-on treatments, sprays, and collars contain fipronil and imidacloprid, chemicals that are highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates. These can enter rivers and streams through everyday activities like bathing pets, washing their bedding, or when pets swim in natural water. Click here to view our leaflet.

These chemicals stay on their fur for 3 months. When you stroke them, the chemicals pass onto your hands, and when you wash your hands, the harmful chemicals make their way through the sewage systems and into our watercourses.

A University of Sussex study found fipronil in 98% and imidacloprid in 66% of freshwater samples in England, highlighting just how widespread the issue is.

After becoming aware of this, Nicola raised her concerns with her vet and asked for an alternative. The vet was happy to swap the cats’ topical treatment to a monthly tablet form. To read a case study - Flea Treatment Choices After a Vet Visit in Kendal - Click here

We were worried about Luna taking the tablets, as he has a history of spitting them out, but he has been happy to take them and much prefers the tablets compared to the drama of the spot-on treatment.

Our cats have been on these tablets for over 6 months, and we are really pleased that, over this summer, we have not had any flea issues.

It is reassuring to know that we have made a responsible choice by protecting our cherished animals against fleas and preventing harm to the environment and waterways.

For further information / useful links for householders on how to protect our waterways - in your house/garden, managing your septic tank and looking after your pets. Click Here