Cedar Oil for Fleas

Pet owners use cedarwood oil-based products for flea prevention.

Cedarwood oil is non-toxic, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Considered one of the safer options for flea control, cedarwood oil is used as a main ingredient in many topical flea prevention products. Cedars, junipers and cypress trees are the main sources for cedarwood oil, according to the Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program.

Definition

The EPA's Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances has registered cedarwood oil as a pesticide. Approved as a repellant for fleas, moths and as an inhibitor of mildew growth, cedarwood oil was initially recognized as a pesticide by the EPA in 1960.

Dosage

Flea prevention treatments containing cedarwood oil come in once-a-month doses, or as a one-use shampoo product. Small vials of the liquid medication are applied to the pet's back, extending from the base of the neck to the base of the tail. The medication then soaks into the pet's skin. Flea treatment shampoos remove existing fleas and should not be used in conjunction with a topical treatment, as overdosing may occur.

Topical treatments are sold according to the pet's weight. Read the package carefully since negative reactions such as skin rashes and lethargy occurs when a pet receives dosages intended for a larger animal.

Variables also exist between cedarwood oil-based flea prevention for cats, dogs and pet ferrets. Never interchange medications between species, according to the EPA's "Evaluation of Pet Spot-On Products: Analysis and Mitigation Plan."

Fact

Cedar chips laden with fragrant cedarwood oil will repel fleas when used as a pet bed stuffing or in an outdoor dog kennel. When cleaning the kennel or preparing to wash the pet's bedding, replace non-aromatic bedding with fresh cedar chips to maintain flea control.

Safety

Topical flea control products considered "all-natural" may contain cedarwood oil as the main, active ingredient. When compared to chemical-based flea repellant products on the market, cedarwood oil causes less health threats to pets. The article, "Managing Fleas Without Poisons," in the Journal of Pesticide Reform discusses The Northwest Coalition For Alternatives To Pesticides (NCAP) testing of 20 flea control products (not including cedarwood oil). Their findings indicate two-thirds of flea products were neurotoxic, half contained cancer-causing agents and all posed a threat to the environment.

Small, infrequent doses of cedarwood oil-based products for flea control does not cause ill effects on pets or humans, according to the EPA. Frequent, long-term exposure to cedarwood oil in a wood mill, pet grooming shop or veterinary clinic may cause liver or pulmonary toxicity.

Warning

A visit to the veterinarian's office is necessary if a pet has adverse reactions to cedarwood oil-based flea prevention products. After an examination and treatment of the pet, ask the veterinarian to report the flea prevention product to the National Pesticide Information Center's Veterinary Pesticide Incident Reporting Portal hosted by Oregon State University and the Environmental Protection Agency.

References

• United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances: Wood Oils and Gums
• United States Environmental Protection Agency: EPA Evaluation of Pet Spot-On Products: Analysis and Mitigation Plan
• Mindfully.org: Managing Fleas Without Poisons
• Department of Health and Human Services: Summary of Data for Chemical Selection

Resources

• Doctors Foster and Smith Pet Education: Ingredients in Flea and Tick Control Products for Dogs
• National Pesticide Information Center: Veterinary Pesticide Incident Reporting