How do you treat fleas or ticks?

This week I came across an ITV article discussing the environmental impact of flea and tick treatments, and it really got me thinking.

You can read more about it on the ITV website or this BBC piece also adds more context.

Both raise important questions, not about treating parasites when they’re present, but about the routine use of pesticides on healthy dogs.

Before I say anything else, I want to make one thing very clear. I am not against conventional veterinary medicine so if a dog has fleas, ticks or another parasite problem, I absolutely believe we should treat it appropriately. Modern medicines have an important place and have improved the health and welfare of countless animals.

However, what I do question is whether we’ve become too comfortable treating healthy dogs with pesticides as a matter of routine, simply because that’s what we’ve always done.

Why these reports made me pause

One of the things that struck me about the recent coverage is that researchers have been looking at the impact these chemicals have on our environment. They’ve been found in rivers, wildlife and even bird nests. If we’re asking questions about what these products are doing once they leave our dogs and enter the environment, isn’t it reasonable to ask what the long‑term effects of repeated exposure might be for the animals wearing them?

I’m not suggesting these products cause cancer or other diseases but I am asking a question.

Could lifelong, repeated exposure to pesticides be one of many factors worth investigating as cancer rates continue to rise in both people and our pets? We simply don’t know.

But surely asking the question isn’t irresponsible. Ignoring it would be.

Medicine should always be something we use thoughtfully. If you stop to think about it…

• We don’t treat children for head lice every month just in case they catch them.
• We don’t give worming tablets unless there’s a reason to believe they’re needed.
• We don’t prescribe antibiotics to healthy people simply because they might become ill in the future.

So why has routine pesticide treatment become the default for so many healthy dogs?

Every dog has a different lifestyle. A working dog spending every day in woodland has a very different level of risk compared with a dog that spends most of its time in an urban environment. Yet many owners are advised to follow exactly the same treatment schedule regardless.

Perhaps it’s time we moved away from blanket recommendations and back towards individual risk assessments?

At Lancashire Dog Treats, that’s the approach we choose to take, so rather than automatically reaching for chemicals every month, we focus on:

• Supporting the dog’s overall health
• Checking regularly for parasites
• Using conventional treatments when they’re genuinely needed

As part of that approach, we choose to use Verm X Original. It isn’t a medicine and it doesn’t claim to kill fleas or ticks. Instead, it’s a natural herbal supplement designed to support the body’s normal balance as part of a wider parasite‑management plan. You use it alongside regular grooming, checking for ticks after walks, keeping bedding clean and maintaining excellent nutrition.

If you’d like to chat about a more natural, balanced approach, pop into Lancashire Dog Treats.

We’re always happy to talk through parasite management, nutrition, natural support options and how to tailor things to your dog’s lifestyle - not just follow a one‑size‑fits‑all routine.

Your dog’s health and peace of mind matters, so asking questions is always a good place to start.