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Sentry Natural Defense Hurting Dogs

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Sentry Natural DefenseA year ago, we posted an announcement of Sentry Natural Defense, a flea and tick killer that uses all natural ingredients, and as such, is supposed to be totally safe for dogs and cats.

However, a lot of pet owners, including myself, have discovered otherwise.

See our original announcement and read the many comments describing how their dogs and cats suffered great discomfort immediately after application.

http://www.doggienews.com/2006/03/sentry-natural-defense.htm

I tried it on my two dogs, and my beagle went nuts within a few seconds. The smell of Sentry Natural Defense is very strong. Mia immediately began scratching the back of her neck by laying on the ground and moving around. My other dog, Max, didn't seem to mind it all. So, I imagine like many products, each dog reacts differently.

Sentry Natural Defense, while made from herbal extracts and oils, goes to show that just because something doesn't contain any man-made chemicals, doesn't mean it's healthier. Mother Nature can be a very dangerous lady, offering up an array of chemicals that can invoke allergic reactions and even kill.

And in light of the recent dog food contamination, people are more likely than ever to look for products with lower poisoning risk. Words like, "All Natural Ingredients" are going to sell very well from here on out. Don't be fooled.

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23 Comments:

  • I agree that the scent is quite strong upon application - the cinnamon and clove are very potent - but in researching the ingredients in this product in comparison to the highly toxic chemicals in Advantage, BioSpot, and Frontline, I believe that Natural Defense is much, much safer. Of course, just like people, not all dogs can tolerate all spices, herbs, or other natural substances. Allergic reactions are bound to occur in some animals.
    Unlike the carcinogenic substances that make up the majority of "inert" ingredients in other topical pet pesticides, the isopropyl myristate in Natural Defense is a synthetic lubricant that is extremely low in toxicity - it is a mild to moderate eye irritant, and a common ingredient in cosmetics, skin lotions, and shaving creams, among others.
    Ideally, we would all love to never need to manage fleas and ticks. So far, Natural Defense is the only commercial product that I will put on my dog. However, if she were to show any signs of allergy or distress, I would discontinue use and return to making my own blend of rosemary and lemongrass essential oil treatment. It is quite effective, but high maintenance.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:24 PM, May 06, 2007  

  • why do i get the feeling you work in marketing?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:01 PM, May 08, 2007  

  • Good info. I always wonder about the side effects of these so called natural products.

    By Blogger Matt, at 11:00 AM, May 11, 2007  

  • Yeah, the smell is very strong, it will actually deodorize our entire house for a few days. My dog can't stand the smell right at first, that basset hound nose of his, but so far it is the only topical flea and tick stuff I can use on him.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:52 PM, May 15, 2007  

  • May I point out, to paraphrase Steven Pinker, that a cabbage is a Darwinian creature too. Plants don't contain all these chemicals for the convenience of 21st century pet owners. Plants that contain a lot of "essential oils" are strong-smelling for a reason - they don't want to be eaten by animals!

    Drugs have to pass a lot of tests to be put on the market (I'm not sure if animal drugs fall under the FDA or the USDA). If you're worried about toxicity just look up the LD50 (50% lethal dose) and pick the least toxic product. Sure, it's a bit of Internet legwork, but if you love your pet that much don't just home in blindly on the "natural" buzzword.

    By Blogger xenobiologista, at 11:10 PM, May 21, 2007  

  • I was the reviewer who gave the rather lengthy review about specific ingredients. I do not work in marketing - I'm an elementary school teacher - but we have a chemist in our family. In rereading, 'anonymous', I can see what you mean! I really do get into researching things that I use to clean, treat pets, feed my family, etc.

    I just really want to encourage people to investigate and challenge anything that is being sold to them. There are some safe products made with care, but they are vastly outnumbered by the products that are designed to maximize profit at our expense. Beginning with my frustration at laundry detergents and household cleaning products that label their ingredients simply as "anionic and nonionic surfectants" or (my favorite) "OTHER INGREDIENTS...98.5%", I've become a diligent researcher of consumer product safety on behalf of my family and friends and students. You wouldn't believe the things schoolchildren are exposed to.

    Enough of my soapbox. A last comment about Nature's Defense: we use about a third of the recommended amount. It is just as effective on our 70 lb. bulldog, and much less offensive to her sensitive nose. We also only use it sparingly during flea and tick season as a backup to our essential oils.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:31 PM, May 27, 2007  

  • I've used this product on my beagle, and had no negative reaction at all. I actually rather like the smell. Yes, it's strong, but peppermint, thyme, and lemongrass oils are going to smell. No one should have been surprised by this.

    The beagle doesn't like anything being dropped on her back, but reacted no worse to this than to other topical treatments. It hasn't been on her long enough to know how effective it is in killing fleas, but it hasn't done my dog any harm. And with the recent fears that imidacloprid is killing off honeybees, I feel better using these natural oils.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:31 PM, May 28, 2007  

  • I tried this and it worked wonders on my dogs.
    Cut up about 4 large lemons and place in a gallon of boiling water. Don't bother peeling them.
    Let them boil for awhile and then let it cool. I put it in a sprayer bottle and I spray the dogs legs and tummy lightly before they go outside.
    We did wash the dogs with flea and tick shampoo first and treated our home and yard for fleas. The lemon water is harmless and smells great!
    It keeps the fleas and ticks away.

    By Blogger Lisa, at 1:01 PM, June 12, 2007  

  • There is no safe chemical flea treatment - all have side effects. Just read any label - it is the most important part of the product. Read my article, GOT FLEAS?, it is a wealth of important info on flea products and every pet owner needs to be aware. Find it here: www.liquorman.net/gotfleas

    I write for an on-line newsletter, The Dog Press. I have recently been named the science and health reporter for their new publication, the National Pet Press. We research and report on just this sort of thing all the time.

    By Anonymous Nell Liquorman, at 3:06 PM, June 24, 2007  

  • I know this is about the dog version, but I put the cat version on my cats, and it's probably the worst product I have ever used. It's been about a week and a half since I used it and the application site on my cat's neck looks like a chemical burn. There are chunks of skin and hair falling out, so really decide for yourself which the safer more humane option is for your animal.

    By Blogger Risa, at 9:52 PM, August 25, 2007  

  • I love the scent. However, I used Natural Defense on my 8 cats and 6 of them lost fur and skin under the collar. I thought initially that it was because of the collar, so I applied the next application between the shoulder blades. It was even worse. Huge chunks of skin (dead, dried out) and fur came off the cats and it didn't kill the fleas, so I ended up with a major infestation. I had to pay $85 for Frontline (after trying Sargeant's drops, then flea baths, and frequent hand combing) to finally kill the fleas. My legs are a mass of sores. I will never use the drops again. I wanted to save money and go natural, but it is not worth the devestation to my animals and my home.

    By Anonymous jcprins, at 9:35 PM, September 08, 2007  

  • I've been using this for the past year on my two large labs and they have never had any problems. As for the smell, I'd much rather have them smell like a spice rack than chemicals.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:08 PM, September 21, 2007  

  • I can honestly say I have used this product and I am so far happy with it. I am wondering if maybe the animals treated with it may have been treated with something else prior to this and maybe the combination caused the effects? I first tested this on my own skin, I am highly sensative to soaps,lotions,ect. But it did not cause any redness or hives. So I applied to my dog and he was fine. I checked his skin every hour just to be sure and no reaction.

    The alternatives are far worse. I am going to try the cats version on my ferret because everything else I have used in the natural remedies has failed. I will come back and post the results.

    As far as the smell, I rather like the lemony smell.

    By Anonymous Stacey, at 6:11 PM, November 03, 2007  

  • I recently used this product on my poor cat and she went nuts, scratching and running around and she was so nervous around the house I had to wash her off right away with dawn dish soap. Three days later the stink is now down and she still is acting funny. I think this is a terrible product and will not use it again. It made my son sick to his stomach from the smell alone. Please so a patch test first as I did not. Shame on me.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:16 AM, November 16, 2007  

  • Essential oils and Cats

    Warning to cat owners out there; Essential oils can be very toxic to cats and should never be used on them, except under the guidance of a professional. Some cats may show extreme side effects such as kidney failure and mouth ulcers. I would not recommend the use of essential oils for cats.

    By Anonymous Heel 2 Heal, at 10:57 AM, January 25, 2008  

  • I must say I wish I knew about this site before using the product! I have 4 cats not all related and they all had reactions!!! My one cat had the worse reaction, with all my cats they lost their hair,but with him it burt his skin so bad it turned black!! I took him to the vet and he was so sick and in kidney and liver failer! we ended up putting in a feeding tube and it took almost 4 month of tending to him to save his life! I contacted the company and they acted like he was the only cat that had this reaction!! by the time it was all said and done it was a $3000.00 flea product. My cat now has to be on supportive medicine to keep his kidneys filtering properly. I sent all my vet bills and vet finding to sentry, and since receive a letter back saying that my cat was already in kidney failer and it was NOT due to their product..WHAT!!! I have never had a problem with this kitty as far as his health goes he has been healthy until I used the product!!! As I read all these comments how can they say it was not becuase of their product. I CAN'T BELEVE THEY ARE STILL SELLING THIS PRODUCT THAT COULD KILL YOUR BELOVID PET!!! This product needs to be pulled from the shelf, what can be done? Help....

    By Anonymous Teresa, at 5:50 PM, January 27, 2008  

  • Teresa, two words for you. Law Suit. Take them to court and at least get your money back. Money is the only thing these companies care about. Do not let them get away with this.

    With all of the "natural" products popping up everywhere I decided to do some research on this before buying it for my cats, I'm glad I did. Thank you for the help!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:07 AM, April 04, 2008  

  • My Lab has severe skin burning and hair falling out on the area of the back of the neck where this product was applied.
    Effective...Safe...Natural...All MISLEADING and DECEPTIVE.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1:44 PM, June 26, 2008  

  • I tried this product on 3 of my 6 cats yesterday. The 3 cats who got Revolution were fine. The 3 who got this product all suffered varying degrees of allergic reaction and discomfort. One scratched violently and ran through the house until he was bathed (and it's VERY difficult to get this oily stuff off even with pet shampoo). My 14-yr-old cat's eyes dilated, she drooled and became weak -- she became so limp after bathing I feared she wouldn't make it. The 3rd only drooled a bit, but I bathed her as well, not wanting a replay of the other two reactions. Never again!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:04 AM, July 05, 2008  

  • I am not sure what all the negative publicity on this. I own a small pet store, and did some research before i brought this in. I put it on my dogs and had customers test it on their dogs. NO Issue - other then smell. I have since sold several cases of it this year and only 1 person brought it back. Not becuase they used it, but becuase they read of all the bad stuff written about it. Yes this stuff is strong smelling, but I find its a lot better then Frontline, Advantage, etc. I dont know if the dog's are getting the wrong dosage, giving the large dog dosage to the small dog are creating the issues, as it seems its all the smaller dogs and cats owners that are writing bad stuff about it. Or it also oculd be they are allergic to something in it. I also keep hearing my sensitive dog this or my sensitive dog that. If you have a flea issue, this is the safest thing on the market. Yes theres home remedies, but like I said its the safest thing on the market. Millions of these have been sold and if they were dangerous they would have been taken off the market.

    By Anonymous Sims, at 5:49 PM, July 28, 2008  

  • I am not sure what all the negative publicity on this. I own a small pet store, and did some research before i brought this in. I put it on my dogs and had customers test it on their dogs. NO Issue - other then smell. I have since sold several cases of it this year and only 1 person brought it back. Not becuase they used it, but becuase they read of all the bad stuff written about it. Yes this stuff is strong smelling, but I find its a lot better then Frontline, Advantage, etc. I dont know if the dog's are getting the wrong dosage, giving the large dog dosage to the small dog are creating the issues, as it seems its all the smaller dogs and cats owners that are writing bad stuff about it. Or it also oculd be they are allergic to something in it. I also keep hearing my sensitive dog this or my sensitive dog that. If you have a flea issue, this is the safest thing on the market. Yes theres home remedies, but like I said its the safest thing on the market. Millions of these have been sold and if they were dangerous they would have been taken off the market.

    By Anonymous Sims, at 5:50 PM, July 28, 2008  

  • This stuff is terrible for your pet. I put it on 2 of my cats and they had terrible reactions to it. Losing fur, scratching, bleeding from scratching, dandruff not to mention the smell lingers for a week and my cats were pissed at me for weeks.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:29 AM, August 16, 2008  

  • I can only comment on application for dogs. I don't have any cats. I found that when I applied the product I had less of a reaction at the line of application than I did with Advantix, which made my dogs' hair fall out terribly and smelled obnoxious. Yes, it did invigorate the dogs for a little while with the smell, but I'm sure that's natural as the same thing happened with other flea prevention products. I noticed some of the users that used it and had severe reactions mentioned they used it at one point on the dog's fur. The box directions say to spread it down the back to the base of the tail. The high concentration may have been the problem with the use of the product in those cases.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:07 AM, August 19, 2008  

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