Could Your Dog's Flea Treatment Be Harming Wildlife?

You wouldn't knowingly pour insecticide into a river. But what if it was happening every time your dog went for a swim?

We all love taking our dogs to the river. It's one of life's simple pleasures. A swim on a hot day, muddy paws after a woodland walk, a game of fetch along the bank.

But what if something as routine as protecting your dog from fleas and ticks was quietly harming the very rivers they love?

Most of us have never been told that many flea and tick treatments contain powerful insecticides designed to kill insects. Yet these chemicals don't just stay on our pets. They can wash into rivers through swimming, heavy rain, muddy paws, bedding, drains and even dog waste, remaining active long after treatment.

Healthy rivers depend on insects. They are the foundation of the food web, feeding everything from salmon and trout to dippers, kingfishers, bats and otters. When we introduce insecticides into freshwater environments, we're not just targeting fleas and ticks- we risk damaging the insects that entire river ecosystems depend upon.

Some of the same insecticides, including fipronil and imidacloprid, have been banned for agricultural use across the European Union because of their environmental impacts, yet they are still found in many pet flea and tick treatments.

These chemicals don't distinguish between a flea and the insects our rivers depend upon.

Healthy rivers rely on insects. Mayflies, caddisflies and stoneflies form the foundation of freshwater ecosystems, feeding fish, birds, bats and mammals. When insecticides enter rivers, they don't stop at killing parasites- they have the potential to affect the very wildlife that keeps our rivers alive.

The evidence is already alarming. Fipronil has been detected in almost every English river tested, with ecological safety limits exceeded by more than five times. These insecticides have also been found in fish, river sediments, coastal waters and even in the nests of blue tits and great tits.

Researchers have found flea treatment insecticides in every blue tit and great tit nest they examined.

Every one of us wants to protect our pets. Most people simply haven't been told that these treatments can have unintended consequences for wildlife. Splash Patrol isn't asking you to stop protecting your dog—it's asking you to help protect our rivers too.

That's why we're launching Splash Patrol.

Splash Patrol is a growing movement of dog owners, river lovers, anglers, paddleboarders, swimmers and families who believe we can all make a difference. By talking to your vet about the most appropriate treatment for your dog's lifestyle, avoiding letting recently treated dogs swim in rivers, always picking up dog waste and helping spread awareness, you can reduce the amount of insecticide reaching our waterways.

Our rivers are already under enormous pressure from sewage pollution, agricultural runoff, habitat loss and climate change. This is one source of pollution we can all help reduce.

Want to show your support? You can purchase your own Splash Patrol embroidered badge through our online shop and help support our work protecting North Wales' rivers.

Even better, thanks to the generous support and donation from Pant Glas Dog Activity Group to support this campaign, we're giving away the first 20 embroidered badges completely free. Simply get in touch with us to claim yours, and we'll post it to you while stocks last.

Wear it on your backpack, dog lead bag, jacket or life vest. Start conversations. Share the message. Inspire others.

Because every movement begins with people willing to act.

Protect your dog. Protect your river.