With the arrival of the warm season, those who share their home with a dog or a cat face the perennial problem of choosing an antiparasitic product that is both effective and safe for their four-legged friend. Fleas, ticks, mites, and also flying insects that carry serious diseases such as leishmaniasis or cardiopulmonary filariasis are the main reason for protecting pets and, often, for avoiding infestations of these insects in the home as well. We should not forget that fleas and ticks need to be kept in check not only because of the discomfort they cause the animal (itching, scratching, allergic dermatitis), but also and above all because of their ability to transmit numerous diseases, such as ehrlichiosis, which is characterised by symptoms that are often vague and non-specific (fever, lethargy, joint pain) and therefore not easily diagnosed at first. It is precisely on the prevention front that, over the past few years, alongside conventional antiparasitic products based on chemical repellent substances, the use of specific combinations of natural substances capable of keeping external parasites of dogs and cats under control has been gaining ground.

Natural antiparasitic products

"Natural antiparasitic treatments for dogs and cats," explains Michela Galgano, veterinary surgeon, "are usually based on neem oil, one of the most powerful insect repellents that nature has to offer. Neem oil is not an essential oil, but it is nonetheless a completely natural product extracted from a plant called Azadirachta Indica, native to India and Burma. This oil, rich in natural antioxidants, exerts a very powerful antibacterial, antiviral and repellent action, particularly against biting midges, mosquitoes and ticks. This active ingredient is combined with other essential oils on a case-by-case basis, such as astragalus, echinacea, mint, citronella, eucalyptus, lavender and ginger oil, tea tree and others." Most essential oils have an effective repellent action against animals' external parasites. In essence, these components make the pet's skin "unappealing" to harmful insects, which carefully avoid coming near it.

How natural antiparasitic treatments are used

Is the efficacy of a natural antiparasitic treatment equal to that of a chemical product? Many believe not, because the active ingredients in natural products are often more volatile and therefore less effective than their chemical counterparts. Dr Galgano continues: "During the cold seasons they can be used as the sole prophylaxis against ectoparasites, since these are less prevalent than in the warm seasons. They can also be used on their own for all those animals that do not frequent high-risk areas, such as countryside where flocks have stayed, agricultural areas or marshland. The repellent effect of natural molecules is very important against biting insects such as sandflies or mosquitoes, but there can also be situations where it is necessary to eliminate parasites that have already taken hold. A dog that is allergic to flea bites must, for example, be given greater protection than a four-legged friend that does not have such allergies. The same applies in the case of immunocompromised dogs, or those with heavy infestations, or those staying in kennels or catteries at risk. In these cases, the use of a chemical product is almost obligatory. Combining a chemical antiparasitic with a natural one can be a good compromise: in this way we will achieve maximum coverage for our friend without overdoing it with synthetic products. It should be remembered, however, that natural products must be applied very frequently in order to be effective."

In any case, to avoid making mistakes the best thing to do is to ask your vet for advice. Knowing the animal and, above all, its clinical history and lifestyle, the vet will be able to recommend the most suitable antiparasitic product for the animal. Not only that. The attending vet will also be able to indicate what the actual epidemiological situation is in the area where you live — a fundamental factor in choosing the "right" antiparasitic to protect and safeguard the health of our little friends.