Tick season is here, and if you’re a pet parent, chances are you’ve already been bombarded with fear-based messages from vets, ads, and pharmaceutical companies urging you to protect your animal “before it’s too late.”
But here’s what most of them won’t say:
Tick control doesn’t have to come at the cost of your pet’s long-term health.
In fact, some of the most commonly recommended tick treatments can do far more harm than good — not just to your animal, but to you, your family, the environment, and our water systems.
In this blog, I’m breaking down the myths around tick prevention and offering real, natural alternatives that are safer, smarter, and truly support your animal’s health from the inside out.
1. Why I Get So Many Questions About Natural Tick Control
Every spring and summer, I’m flooded with questions about tick control — and it’s no wonder. Tick season brings with it a surge in fear-driven marketing, often focusing on Lyme disease, tick paralysis, and other serious conditions.
Yes, ticks can transmit pathogens. But the real question is:
How do we protect our animals intelligently, without sacrificing their long-term wellbeing?
The mainstream answer is always the same: chemical spot-ons or oral pills.
But the real solution lies in education, daily prevention, and a strong internal terrain.
2. The Truth About Chemical Tick Products
Popular brands like Bravecto, NexGard, and Frontline are marketed as essential protection — but they only kill ticks after they bite.
Let’s repeat that:
These products do not prevent the bite.
They simply kill the tick after your pet has already been exposed.
They work by circulating neurotoxins in your pet’s bloodstream. When a tick feeds, it ingests the chemical — and dies.
But that still allows a window for disease transmission — and it also means your pet is acting as the poison delivery system.
3. Do They Really Prevent Disease?
Some studies show that these products may reduce transmission of certain diseases — like Babesia canis, Ehrlichia canis, and Lyme disease — but again, the tick still has to bite first.
Let’s look at a few examples:
- Bravecto (Fluralaner): Kills ticks within 12 hours. Some protection shown, but not immediate.
- NexGard (Afoxolaner): Similar action; does not prevent bites or 100% of transmissions.
- Frontline (Fipronil): Kills ticks on contact, but resistance is increasing. Effectiveness is variable.
If your goal is complete prevention, these drugs fall short — and come with serious risks.
4. The Side Effects You’re Not Being Told About
For Animals:
Reports range from mild to severe AND they are common:
- Vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy
- Seizures and tremors (even in pets with no history)
- Neurological symptoms and behavioural changes
- Death
Cats and small dogs are particularly vulnerable. These are powerful neurotoxins, and it’s no surprise they can affect your animal’s brain and nervous system, too.
For Humans:
The FDA warns against touching treated animals — especially for:
- Children
- Pregnant women
- Those with chemical sensitivities
Let’s pause and think about that:
If it’s not safe for you to touch your pet… how can it be safe to put on them?
For Wildlife & the Environment:
- Birds use treated fur in nests → neurological harm or death
- Toxins wash into waterways from bathing and rain
- Aquatic life is highly sensitive to these residues
- Some UK environmental groups are now flagging these products as pollutants affecting all water quality
5. One-Size-Fits-All? Not in Nature
It’s astonishing that products are often prescribed in the same dosage for a Chihuahua and a Great Dane or by wide weight bands. Where is the nuance?
Bio-individuality matters — yet long-term safety testing across breeds, ages, and sensitivities is extremely limited.
Cats, in particular, are known to be highly sensitive to chemicals. Many essential oils and drugs that are “safe” for dogs can be fatal for cats.
6. The Questions We Should Be Asking
Next time you’re told to use a chemical tick product, ask:
- Does this kill the tick before or after the bite?
- What’s the proof that it prevents disease — and at what cost?
- What’s the impact on long-term health, not just short-term symptoms?
- Is this adding to my animal’s toxic burden?
- Why are there safety warnings for humans if it’s “safe” for mypet?
7. What I Do Instead — And Why
As a holistic health practitioner and biologist, I take a different approach.
I believe in:
- Natural deterrents
- Daily tick checks
- Healthy internal terrain
- Bio-individual care
- Building resilience, not relying on toxins
8. Daily Tick Checks: Your #1 Defence
Ticks can be spotted and safely removed before they become an issue.
Focus your checks on:
- Ears
- Neck
- Groin
- Under harnesses or collars
- Tail, paws, and mane (for horses)
Tip: Use a proper tick remover — no twisting, burning, or pulling. Some people also walk their dogs in a light coloured T shirt in high risk areas – this makes it really easy to see when ticks are on them as soon as possible, and before they have a chance to burrow in and bite.
9. Natural Tick Deterrents for Dogs & Horses
Safe Essential Oils (Always Diluted in Carrier Oil):
- Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) – Proven to repel ticks
- Cedarwood – Excellent for dogs and horses
- Lemongrass – For ticks and mosquitos
- Lavender – Calming, antimicrobial
- Eucalyptus radiata – Powerful, avoid around cats
DIY Spray Recipe:
- 100ml distilled water
- 10ml apple cider vinegar or witch hazel
- 20 drops total essential oil blend
Spray lightly before walks, avoiding eyes and genitals. See Below for safe products you can purchase.
10. Safer Alternatives for Cats
Cats are extremely sensitive to essential oils. Instead, try:
- Daily grooming and checks
- Food-grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) – Apply to bedding or lightly to fur
- Neem powder – Use in areas they frequent
- Support gut health, detox, and immune function
- Avoid collars unless they have a quick-release clasp and personally I never use Tick collars, even the ones that claim to be natural. When you see where many of these are made I have no confidence that what they say is in them is true. It’s not worth the risk.
11. Other Natural Tools I Use
- Food-grade DE – Applied topically, regularly, dehydrates and repels parasites
- Neem powder – Antifungal and insecticidal
- ASEA Redox / CDS – For immune and cellular support – see below
- Colloidal silver – Antimicrobial, topical use after a bite – see below
12. After a Tick Bite — What to Do
- Remove safely with tick tool
- Clean site with lavender oil (diluted), colloidal silver, ASEA or CDS
- Monitor for signs of irritation
- Support detox with herbs and tonics if needed
- See below for recommended products
This is not a one size fits all – so if you need individual help please see below. Building healthy resilient animals / humans is key!
13. Emergency Situations: When Chemicals Are Needed
Sometimes in extreme cases (rescue animals, infestations), a chemical may be necessary.
If so, support recovery with:
- Milk thistle – Liver detox
- Activated charcoal or Pure Clean Pets – Binders
- Liver/lymph herbs – Cleavers, dandelion, burdock
- Probiotics & colostrum – Gut and immune restoration
And always be aware of environmental runoff and secondary exposure. SEE BELOW FOR links to the products I use.
14. Terrain Theory: Your Pet’s Best Defence
“A healthy animal is a poor host for chronic infection.”
Ticks are part of the ecosystem. They’re not going away — but illness isn’t inevitable.
The key lies in creating a body that’s resilient, not reactive.
Build strong:
- Immunity
- Gut health
- Detoxification pathways
- Emotional wellbeing
Weak terrain is what invites disease — not germs alone.
Final Thoughts: Let’s Reclaim Common Sense in Pet Care
We’ve been conditioned to fear nature and trust lab-made toxins.
But the truth is:
- A healthy terrain is your pet’s best defence.
- Daily checks + natural repellents + internal balance = real protection.
- You are your animal’s guardian — and the choices you make matter.
Want Personalised Help?
I offer consultations and courses for dogs, cats, horses — and humans too. We are all individual – that is why some generic advice is OK but each of us needs that personal touch based on our specific challenges.
Book a 1:1 Holistic Consult
catherineedwards.life/holistic-consults
Explore My Online Courses
catherineedwardsacademy.com
Email me directly: catherineedwardslife17@gmail.com
Or message me on Instagram: @catherine.edwards.life
Products I Use
Asea renu 28 gel see https://shop.aseaglobal.com/info?cartSharingId=A6ED818S05E697I&st=sc&sn=cl
Or to Browse all their products see https://shopasea.com/CatherineEdwards
If you are in a different country simply select your country from the drop down list AND use Coupon Code ‘catherineedwards’ to get 10% off your first order. Please note: adding a subscription (which can be paused or cancelled at any time) allows you to purchase at wholesale price – If you don’t want that you can still use the discount code, simply remove the subscription from your shopping basket.
Why I Use ASEA RENU28 Gel or ASEA Liquid After Tick Removal
After removing a tick, I apply ASEA RENU28 Gel or spray ASEA liquid directly onto the area for both myself and my animals. While we do not claim ASEA treats or prevents disease, its patented redox signaling technology is designed to support cellular communication and renewal. Healthy cells with optimal redox balance are better equipped to respond to stress, inflammation, and external challenges—like a tick bite. In essence, ASEA helps the body do what it’s naturally designed to do: repair and regenerate. And a healthy cell is much less likely to succumb to external threats.
🔹 Topical redox products like ASEA RENU28 are designed to work with the body’s natural processes to support healthy skin and cellular resilience.
By using ASEA post-tick removal, I aim to support the skin’s natural ability to recover and stay balanced—especially during a time when the body may need extra support.
Pure Clean Pets
– to help absorb toxins – this is especially important for daily use if you are using ANY chemical products with your dog / horse / cat – the human version is Clean Slate – you can see both here:
https://therootbrands.com/CatherineEdwards
They have global distribution – amazing products.
For Dogs – Dr Peter Dobias Natural Supplements
– he does an amazing Flea and Tick Prevention Spray, all natural:
Let’s protect our animals — naturally and powerfully.
Because when we know better, we can do better.
With love & truth,
Catherine
@catherine.edwards.life