Calls to ban ‘toxic’ pet flea treatments that harm UK wildlife and environment

Researchers at Cardiff University found two of the most frequently used chemicals in almost half of all samples across nine Welsh rivers. Photograph: blickwinkel/Alamy

Over-the-counter flea treatment for cats and dogs should be banned as millions of hazardous chemicals are unnecessarily applied to UK pets each year, a parliamentary report has concluded.

Cats and dogs are widely treated with topical, or “spot on”, treatments that include insecticides to prevent fleas. Vets often recommend regular treatments as a preventive measure, even when the animals do not have fleas.