As an online informational resource, Preventive Vet is unable to and does not provide specific medical advice or counseling. If you click “Agree and Continue” below, you acknowledge that your cookie choices in those tools will be respected and that you otherwise agree to the use of cookies on NPR’s sites. You can adjust your cookie choices in those tools at any time. First of all these repellents wont kill the mosquitoes. The Thermacell Mosquito Repellent shown in the center of the above photo is the basic kit. Some cats will require multiple baths. DEET: (N-diethyl-m-toluamide) Repellents containing DEET are safe for adults and children when used according to directions. As you can see, the list of compounds can be difficult to keep track of, and I highly recommend sticking to a pyrethrin-free product, such as the safe cat flea treatments listed above. Pyrethrins, for the most part, do seem to be relatively safe for most pets, though dosage is still the key. Treatment for a pyrethrin toxicity can cost several hundred to a couple thousand dollars. If you have a cat or multiple cats and would like to avoid pyrethrin/pyrethroid-based products, which I typically* recommend to any cat owner, below are some of the safer and most-effective flea control products for cats. If the toxicity is due to ingestion of pyrethrin/pyrethroid, such as from grooming behavior, bathing will do little to nothing to help. One of the most common ways we see cats being poisoned by pyrethrins is by inappropriate application of dog flea and tick medications placed on a cat; this should never be done without consultation with a veterinarian. You’ll also want to ensure that no pets try to lick or eat the allethrin mat strips when they are being stored in your home. Long story short, we don’t know for certain whether picaridin is safe for cats. Plug-in repellents often have bright lights that may look attractive to babies and young children. Side effects include rash and irritation at the area of use. Unfortunately, exposure to concentrated permethrin (as in some dog spot-ons) can result in serious illness and even death in cats. By Ian Santino. It should be noted that pyrethrin/pyrethroid-based flea products are not always dangerous — these compounds can effectively control fleas (and ticks) and, when used correctly and according to label directions, they can be safe for use on both cats and dogs. The amount of pyrethrin/pyrethroid “active ingredients” in the products made for dogs is far too much for cats to handle. sumithrin, d-trans allethrin, and permethrin) that were tested for estrogen and progesterone agonist/antagonist activities. 71910-2; REFERENCE NOTIFICATION LABEL Page 2 of 31 DIRECTIONS FOR USE It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. Spare your cat, and yourself, the trauma by taking the proper steps to avoid exposure in the first place. Pyrethroids: Not as safe as you think ©2000 Melissa Kaplan . To prevent pyrethrin/pyrethroid toxicity in your cat, while still keeping them free of fleas and other parasites, take the following preventive measures: If you’re worried about pyrethrin toxicity, and have opted to use a flea treatment for your cat not listed in the alternatives provided above, make sure you carefully read the labels. Safe and does not involve using chemicals. © 2020 Preventive Vet. Esters react with acids to liberate heat along with alcohols and acids. You can add this handy little device to your belongings while going for a camping, fishing or hunting trip.Whether the mosquitos are continuously buzzing around the ears and even biting the skin, you can rely on this best mosquito repellent device for outdoor trips.Not to mention, Thermacell introduces one of the best portable repellent devices you need to have to get rid of those pesky insects. Although picaridin has been demonstrated to be safe in other species, including dogs, there’s no published evidence about toxicity in cats. Safe Cat Flea Treatments & the Danger of Pyrethrin and Pyrethroid Toxicity, Please do not ask emergency or other specific medical questions about your pets, Learn more about flea treatment and prevention, Shaking, twitching, muscle tremors (often mistaken for seizures), Injectable medications to stop muscle tremors, IV fluid therapy to restore and help maintain hydration while the cat can’t eat safely on their own, IV lipid therapy to help absorb and clear the toxin, Allethrin, the first pyrethroid synthesized, Bifenthrin, active ingredient of Talstar, Capture, Ortho Home Defense Max, and Bifenthrine, Cyfluthrin, an active ingredient in Baygon, dichlorovinyl derivative of pyrethrin, Cypermethrin, including the resolved isomer alpha-cypermethrin, dichlorovinyl derivative of pyrethrin, Cyphenothrin, active ingredient of K2000 Insect spray sold in Israel and the Palestinian territories, Deltamethrin, dibromovinyl derivative of pyrethrin. “New restrictions will be placed on these products, and pet owners need to carefully read and follow all labeling before exposing your pet to a pesticide,” the EPA’s Steve Owens said in a press release announcing the changes. S. ome of our closest companions are pets. Please share your experiences and stories, your opinions and feedback about this blog, or what you've learned that you'd like to share with others. In such cases, skip the bath and head straight to the vet. The insecticides which contain the chlorpyrifos, bendiocarb, and allethrin may be what you can choose since they are said to be the most effective ones for getting rid the carpet beetles. When the lighting is just right, like in a pop-up blind with some side light coming in window, you can see the allethrin vapor rising up from the device like smoke from a candle. Pyrethrin is one of two liquid esters derived from Pyrethrum (feverfew) (C 21 H 28 O 3 or C 22 H 28 O 5) that are used as insecticides. Coils can also pose a fire risk so make sure they are placed on a metal stand or plate in a safe area away from curtains, beds, household furniture, paper, books or any flammable materials or chemicals. As a medication, it is used to treat scabies and lice. Allethrin is an area repellent that is dispersed into the air and is up to 98% effective in fighting mosquitoes, black flies, and no-see-ums. Cats that have been exposed to a large amount of pyrethrin/pyrethroid-based insecticides will often have whole-body tremors. In fact, the frequency of cat pyrethrin/pyrethroid toxicity cases resulting from inadvertent (or intentional) application of a dog product to cats was so high that in 2010 the EPA improved product labeling rules for spot-on products for pets to help prevent these inadvertent and intentional species "mix-ups.". Cats in particular may be more sensitive to this ingredient. Following any at-home bath(s) for skin exposure, an affected cat should still be brought to the vet for evaluation and further treatment. Higher concentrations can be safely used on dogs; however, cats are very sensitive to these chemicals and cannot metabolize these drugs well as dogs. Check for the pyrethroid class of compounds and be sure that such compounds are either not in the flea medications or mosquito/insect repellents used around your cats (there are no safe mosquito repellents for cats, but you should nevertheless learn how to keep your cat safe from heartworms) or that the compounds are in a collective concentration —meaning you’ll need to consider the total of all pyrethroid compounds — that falls below the typically safe level of 1%. Fish are so sensitive that they may die from even the smallest exposure, so be sure to cover aquarium tanks (with something non-porous like plastic wrap) or remove the tanks from an area you’ll be treating with a product containing a pyrethrin or pyrethroid (e.g., foggers, sprays, etc. See details. ). Cats are more sensitive to permethrin than other mammals, but cat lovers can still use the insecticide as long they're careful about it, veterinarians say. 71910-2 The Schawbel Corp., 26 Crosby Drive, Bedford, MA 01730 781-541-6900 Safety Data Sheet dated 11/22/2009, version 3 Heat is also generated by the interaction of esters with caustic solutions. It’s safe to use this mosquito repellent around people, but recommended that you keep pets indoors, away from the vapours. Insect repellent use in areas with mosquitos carrying the Zika virus is critical. flea control, You may click on “Your Choices” below to learn about and use cookie management tools to limit use of cookies when you visit NPR’s sites. Newborn babies should also be kept away the repellant as this is a sensitive time for them. A pyrethroid is an organic compound similar to the natural pyrethrins, which are produced by the flowers of pyrethrums (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium and C. coccineum).Pyrethroids are used as commercial and household insecticides.. Allethrin (mosquitoes): Devices that disperse allethrin, a synthetic derivative of chrysanthemum plants, use a small amount of butane fuel or a rechargeable lithium battery and allethrin repellent mats. Although exposure to allethrin has a minor effect on humans, note that allethrin exposure can be fatal to cats, bees, and fish. However, for most other pets, allethrin has minimal to no effect besides, of course, protection from mosquitoes. This is at no cost to you, but it helps fund the free education that we have on our website. Allethrin is what is considered a “non-persistent insecticide”, meaning it breaks down easily in the environment. If the toxicity is due to skin overexposure, initial treatment should include a bath in cool water with a good grease-dissolving dish soap (most veterinarians tend to use Dawn® dish soap). Allethrin is a member of the pyrethroid insecticide family and is known to generally not be harmful to mammals. Not only is pyrethrin/pyrethroid toxicity a dangerous and distressing situation for your cat, it’s also a major hit to your heart and wallet. Permethrin insecticides should be used only when nec… Zika infection during pregnancy can put babies at risk for death and birth defects including small brains (microcephaly), poor growth, and hearing or eyesight loss. Remember to bring the flea prevention box with you, as this will help your veterinarian with their diagnosis and treatment plan. What you should know to keep your pets safe. The following list of pyrethroid compounds was pulled from a fairly comprehensive article on Wikipedia (you can also find more information about pyrethrins and pyrethroids from the EPA). These safer alternatives are equally as effective, or in many cases more effective, than the pyrethrin/pyrethroid-based products. Unfortunately, pyrethrins and pyrethroids (especially permethrin) are not species-specific in their toxicity, meaning they can also cause severe and significant problems in pets, especially cats (who lack the liver enzymes necessary to process these compounds as they are absorbed through the skin). flea treatment, And if you have a cat, there are things you absolutely need to know about these insect-killing compounds in order to keep your cat safe. Strong oxidizing acids may cause a vigorous reaction that is sufficiently exothermic to ignite the reaction products. Is Thermacell safe for pets? Do not let your cat come into contact with with these outdoor insecticides — either through contact with treated plants or airpborn spray— and if neighborhood outdoor cats venture into your yard without your control, consider using a non-pyrethrin/pyrethroid product. You can use electrical plug-ins like the Mortein Odourless Mozzie Zapper daily whenever mosquitoes are an issue. Even though this pesticide can be found in medications and is meant to be applied to the skin, it is a chemical and, therefore, can cause rashes, hypersensitivity, and skin irritation. Flea sprays, powders, and shampoos contain pyrethroid concentrations less than 1% – this concentration is highly unlikely to cause intoxication in cats. Despite the level of care Americans have given their furry friends, pets are at high ThermaCELL Mosquito Repellent, EPA Reg. According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Associa- on, approximately 142.6 million cats and dogs are cared for in the United States. d-Phenothrin can cause vomiting, diarrhea, excess salivation, twitching, tremors, or seizures if eaten or applied to the skin. Apparently cats should be kept away from allethrin though as it is toxic to them. The above were sent to me to review. They kill insects by preventing their nervous system from functioning properly. A thorough physical exam, patient history, and an established veterinary-patient-client relationship is required to provide specific medical advice. This information is shared with social media, sponsorship, analytics, and other vendors or service providers. Some of the products recommended below are also effective for tick and/or other parasite control on cats. d-Phenothrin can also cause allergic skin reactions and skin sensations. Topics: The insecticides can be applied to the broad carpet or only to the spots of the carpets. Thermacell does recommend trying not to directly inhale the fumes but it should be safe for friends, family, and children. Permethrin is used in some flea spot-on products made for dogs, and occasionally (in lower doses) in flea powders and collars for cats. Permethrin insecticides are available in creams, lotions, and sprays. It is highly toxic to aquatic life, however. No. If you are worried that your pet is having an emergency or if you have specific medical questions related to your pet’s current or chronic medical conditions, please contact or visit your veterinarian, an animal-specific poison control hotline, or your local emergency veterinary care center. They create a “zone of protection” for as long as the device is running. This could also be a concern if you hire a pest control service, which may use a pyrethrin/pyrethroid-based insecticide in and around your home. 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