DE as a flea powder?

[dennis in se pa]

I know you can use DE around the house as a flea powder. Has anyone used it directly on their pet?

[masraum]

I haven't, but I wouldn't. I would think that it would be an irritant and probably a dessicant. But then I haven't looked into it. We always used prophylactic drugs that covered fleas, heartworm, and the other worms.

[masraum]

https://mainstreetvetservices.ca/files/2020/05/Using_Diatomaceous_Earth_for_Fleas_-_March_2019.pdf

only food grade diatomaceous earth is recommended for direct application. “There are three classifications for diatomaceous earth: food grade, feed grade, and industrial grade,” says Jodi Ziskin, Healthy Pet Coach. “It is imperative that only food grade diatomaceous earth be used in and on animals and people and around the house. Food grade diatomaceous earth must meet specifications for how much heavy metal can be present; there must be less than 10mg/kg of lead and arsenic in the diatomaceous earth. Feed grade diatomaceous earth does not adhere to these rules. Industrial grade diatomaceous earth has been treated with very high heat, causing its silicon dioxide to change to crystalline silica, which can be dangerous and harmful to the health of all animals, including humans.”

. On the Animal
Food grade diatomaceous earth is non-toxic to humans and animals and may be directly applied to animals, although caution needs to be used in certain cases. Because it is a desiccant, it may cause issues in animals (and people) with asthma or other respiratory problems. Jodi recommends that people with respiratory conditions wear a mask when applying DE. Avoid putting it directly on an animal with respiratory problems, or at the very least keep it away from his face. It is also best not to apply diatomaceous earth to the animal if he has dry or irritated skin. If the animal doesn’t have respiratory or skin problems, food grade diatomaceous earth can be rubbe into his coat, but it’s still important to keep it away from his eyes and muzzle. After one day, give him a bath with a natural, gentle shampoo to get rid of the dead fleas and prevent dry skin

[Zeke]

I studied this issue and it's generally not a good idea. If your pet rests on a carpet or otherwise porous surface, DE can be helpful. But fleas prefer the animal to the carpet, effective control with DE alone is difficult.

I wrote a long response to Capt. Carrera's thread about fleas if you want to search for it. It was weeks ago.

[john70t]

Breathing a fine silicate powder is probably not healthy.

[dennis in se pa]

Thanks for your responses.