When treating pets for fleas, which practice should be avoided?

• A. Using the same pesticide that was used around the home
• B. Using a similar pesticide that was used in and around the home
• C. Using a different pesticide labeled for pets
• D. Treating both the home and the pet

Answer: (B)

Flea treatment on pets should rely on products that are explicitly labeled and approved for animal use. Home-use pesticides, even if they contain a similar active ingredient, are not tested for safety on animals and often come in formulations or concentrations that can be dangerous if applied to an animal’s skin or fur, which pets may lick and ingest. Some ingredients common in household products can be highly toxic to pets, especially cats, and the label for a home product may not address dermal application, exposure through licking, or appropriate dosing for an animal. Because of these risks, using a product that is not specifically labeled for pets should be avoided. The safer approach is to use a pesticide labeled for pets and to handle environmental control with products labeled for home use, following all directions.