EPA: Cat flea product can kill pets (MUST READ)

[TexasStooge]

Safety concerns have led Hartz Mountain to stop selling several of its flea and tick remedies for cats.

The Environmental Protection Agency said the products are associated with a wide range of adverse reactions including hair loss, salivation, tremors, and even "numerous deaths of cats and kittens."

The products include:

•Hartz Advanced Care 4 in 1 Flea and Tick Drops Plus+ for Cats and Kittens
•Hartz Advanced Care Brand Flea and Tick Drops Plus+ for Cats and Kittens
•Hartz Advanced Care 3 in 1 Flea & Tick Drops for Cats and Kittens
•Hartz Advanced Care Once-A-Month Flea and Tick Drops for Cats and Kittens

The EPA said Hartz Mountain agreed to halt all new production of these products by September 30.

Existing products will be immiediately relabled to warn consumers that they should not be used on cats weighing less than six pounds, cats older than 13 years or kittens less than five months old.

"Pet owners should be alerted to these concerns, and may choose to transition to alternative products," said EPA spokeswoman Susan Hazen. "We take seriously our obligation to ensure that pesticide products, when used as labeled, are safe."

Consumers should contact Hartz at 800-275-1414 for information about returns and refunds.

Hartz said it was preparing to introduce alternative products that would meet EPA standards.

WFAA ABC 8 and Associated Press contributed to this report.

Click for EPA Fact Sheet.

[Stephanie]

Thanks for posting this warning!

[Brent]

Thankfully we use Heartgard(or is it Frontline?) The dog uses the other kind.

[Yankeegirl]

I worked as a vet tech for years, and there are always the people who ask about the 5.00 flea juice they can get a Walmart compared to the Advantage or Frontline brands of flea juice... I knew a long time ago that the Hartz brand was no good..they use pestacide in their flea juice and it is harmful to the pets and the owners! I figured it was only a matter of time before they got pulled for health reasons.... Stick with the best, the Frontline or the Advantage.. I swear by them!

Another helpful hint for the terrible flea season we are having down here in the South.... Switch the brands of flea juice everytime you buy a box... The fleas will get a tollarnace for the brand you use if you always use it. If you rotate brands (they work differently, one attacks the nervous system of the flea and the other attacks the brain of the flea) they will not become immune to the product....

[Yankeegirl]

Hey Brent, Heartgard is for Heartworms... lol...

[Brent]

Hey Brent, Heartgard is for Heartworms... lol...

So Heartgard is the dog's stuff for worms... LOL