If you're using flea treatment for your dog or cat, do not offer fur brushings to birds for nesting material. The chemicals are linked to reduced egg hatch rates in songbirds: www.ecowatch.com/pet-flea-che... - ThreadSky

gorgepulse.bsky.social • 22 days ago

If you're using flea treatment for your dog or cat, do not offer fur brushings to birds for nesting material. The chemicals are linked to reduced egg hatch rates in songbirds:
https://www.ecowatch.com/pet-flea-chemicals-wildlife-impact.html

Comments

skull-bloke.bsky.social•21 days ago

The environmental cost of pet ownership is truly off the scale. Very few people seem to care as much for wildlife as they do for their cats and dogs.

gorgepulse.bsky.social•21 days ago

Pets come with environmental cost, but it's not out of line when considering the environmental impact of having children. I think anyone with either needs to be educated on how to do it responsibly. The benefits to us are great when we do it right.

skull-bloke.bsky.social•21 days ago

Can't deny that, but I wasn't just thinking of carbon. In the UK it seems everyone wants a dog, but I can't help but feel responsible owners are in the minority. So much urine, faeces, disturbance of wildlife by off-lead dogs, all the meat fed to pets, not to mention the pesticides you highlighted.

gorgepulse.bsky.social•21 days ago

Of course! I looked at agricultural use of imidacloprid, common in flea treatment. The agricultural production is over 20,000 tonnes annually, and the primary impact of it is on pollinators. But it's got to be harming birds through that route, too. We do need to educate pet owners on being green.

calithemali.bsky.social•21 days ago

Oh my goodness! Great to know, I never would have thought of that!

harkthorn.bsky.social•21 days ago

Sharing to the Birds feed: 🪶

lorablack.bsky.social•22 days ago

Speaking of cats, how is Mario?

gorgepulse.bsky.social•22 days ago

He has settled in and is completely spoiled. He has several beds, all the food he needs, and is amazingly affectionate for what I thought was a feral cat. I think he did have a home and was abandoned or left it for unknown reasons. His vet visit next week might tell me something.

lorablack.bsky.social•22 days ago

Awww... he looks right at home. He is a lucky kitty!

littlerobbergirl.bsky.social•21 days ago

I knew about not letting your treated dog swim in the river but never thought about fur. I used to leave a bundle out every spring. 😬😭

littlerobbergirl.bsky.social•21 days ago

I'm ashamed to admit I never thought of this!

gorgepulse.bsky.social•21 days ago

Same here. My cat's fur used to go out for the birds; never again. As I noted elsewhere, imidacloprid (one of the common flea medications) alone has far greater impact through agricultural use. To make the biggest difference, go organic with food.

littlerobbergirl.bsky.social•20 days ago

I haven't treated our 3 cats for over 2 years. They don't go out anymore so haven't needed it. Fur should be safe by now do you think?

gorgepulse.bsky.social•20 days ago

Yes, it only stays in the cat’s system about a month or two. They should have shedded all their fur by now. If your cats stay inside, Capstar (nitenpyram) is a pill that will kill fleas in a day if you have a sudden infestation. It’s a neonicotinoid, but leaves the cat’s body in a day.

beechhollow.bsky.social•21 days ago

Thanks for posting this Chris. It makes sense. I have been putting my Maine Coons fluff out every spring shed. No longer. Makes me sad to have done that to our birds.

gorgepulse.bsky.social•21 days ago

Don't feel too guilty; at least we know it now. The amount of neonicotinoids such as imidacloprid found in flea medication is dwarfed by its use on crops to feed humans & livestock. The harm from agricultural use is the elephant in the room.

beechhollow.bsky.social•21 days ago

No kidding.

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