Is Diatomaceous Earth Safe For Pets?

The skeletal, inorganic remains of single-celled microscopic algae called diatoms — the namesake of diatomaceous earth — make up 26 percent of the earth's crust by weight! The only organism on the planet encased in glass, the diatom's cell walls are composed of transparent, opaline silica, and when these tiny creatures die, they do not decompose, but instead sink to the bottom of the waterways, oceans, and wetlands of the world.

Not technically fossils because their cell walls are not replaced by another mineral, diatoms amass and are preserved for up to tens of millions of years. Today, silica deposits are mined for many commercial uses, including as a component in the manufacture of diatomaceous earth.

Known as D.E., diatomite, or kieselgur, diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring soft, siliceous rock that can be easily crumbled into a fine, chalky, white or off-white powder that resembles talcum powder. Most diatomaceous earth is a composition of amorphous silicon dioxide.

Food-grade D.E. is chemically inert and virtually harmless for pets and their people when used for pest control and consumed as a supplement. It's also used by food manufacturers to filter beverages during the production process. Farmers may also use D.E. as an anti-caking agent in livestock feed.

On the other hand, industrial-grade diatomaceous earth is highly concentrated and is used in the mining and construction industries to stabilize nitroglycerin, or as a filter in swimming pools and aquariums. Farmers may also spread it over fields to prevent disease and eliminate parasites from the soil before planting crops.

It's extremely important to ensure you are using food-grade D.E. for any pet applications. If shopping in-store, thoroughly read the label. And if shopping online, verify the grade with the vendor if it's not indicated in the listing. Taking the wrong grade of diatomaceous earth may compromise your pet's health and industrial-grade D.E. is not safe for humans to handle at all.

While you should avoid contact altogether with industrial-grade diatomaceous earth, you should also handle food-grade D.E. with care. It's a natural drying agent and is potent enough to dry out the skin, cause irritations in the esophagus, and its superfine consistency can irritate the nasal passages and lungs, so be careful not to inhale it.

Always wear gloves and a face mask when using D.E. whether you're removing pests from your pet or the garden.

Many pet owners eschew the use of pesticides in and around the home and also for their pets. Diatomaceous earth is an effective, non-toxic natural alternative to chemical pesticides that are given orally or topically applied throughout the flea and tick season. Dusting your pet's fur with diatomaceous earth controls external parasites, such as fleas, ticks, and flies, including their eggs. You can also apply D.E. to your pet's bedding and the carpeted areas your pet frequents.

Whipworm, pinworm, and hookworm infestations can be successfully eliminated within seven days of being fed D.E. daily. To catch newly hatching eggs and the cycling of the worms through the lungs and back into the stomach, they suggest that D.E. should be fed for at least 30 days.

Diatomaceous earth, like many other alternative therapies, is not a "cure-all" and, if used as a pet food supplement, it should be in moderation, and only after veterinary consultation, advice, and consent. D.E. should be used as an adjunct, not a substitute for medical care. Although D.E. is widely promoted for its purported miraculous benefits, have a chat with your veterinarian about any potential side effects of giving D.E. internally before you decide to administer it to your pet.