Just about all the store brand flea and tick meds are hazardous to our babies, hartz and biospot being the top two.
When I put their flea medicine on it goes between the shoulder blades, one spot so it isn't down their whole back.
There is a more natural approach you can take which I am looking into myself.
You can give them some doggy garlic treats that help repel fleas and other bugs. Washing them in dawn dish soap every time will kill all the current fleas, just remember to use a good conditioner so you don't dry out the skin.
Here is a good site to check out.
http://www.healthyfoodforpets.com/FleaFree.html
Some more...
http://www.lacetoleather.com/safefleacure.html http://www.healthyhappydogs.com/NaturalFleaTreatment http://www.naturespet.net/flea.html