Fleas

[fireworksinjuly]

Kino has caught some fleas... We have them living naturally here which I dont like but cant get away from....

So what are my options to get rid of them?

~Flea collars have always botherd me. The smell gives me headaches, but if its my only option ill deal with it.

~ Flea pills bother me a little. I dont like giving my dogs meds if its not absolutly nessicary.

~Baths. He gets a regular bath regularly, but not a flea bath....whats a QUALITY Flea shampoo?

~Flea topical meds would be ok I guess, but dont know of any over the doggie counter stuff that actually works.

~Garlic in small ammounts...are there any other "natural" methods like this that I can try first?

help me!!!!please!!!!

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Well, another "natural" method that won't hurt your dog a bit is Seven Dust, its the very same product used to sprinkle on plants for bugs....works wonders for fleas.

[fireworksinjuly]

whats Seven Dust? I only know of that as a band, im assuming thats not what you mean... where can I get it?

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

lol I love that band! It is actually a powder used to sprinkle on garden veggies to keep bugs away but is terrific for keeping fleas of your pets, its totally non-toxic and can be found anywhere that you would find gardening supplies.

If you use it though make sure its a dog without allergy issues and DO NOT get into the eyes. It won't hurt them chemical wise but I would imagine would be like someone throwing sand in your eye.

[fireworksinjuly]

Kinos never had allergy issues, so well try that... id rather use natural ways then anything...thank you.

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

No problem We used it on our Chows often and they did very well with it, I prefer natural myself if I can get away with it and Kino has the thicker coat so it will be very much like "powdering" the Chows. Just stand Kino outside and start powdering as your raking your fingers through the coat.

[Owned by Lucy]

Here are a couple of recipes I use.

Simple Recipes for Flea Repellents

Herbal repellents work well to repel fleas. Make an herbal infusion by adding a handful of dried herbs (available in most health food stores) to a tea pot and fill with boiling water. Let the "tea" set overnight, and then strain it into a spray bottle. Recommended herbs include southern wood, rue, rosemary, sage, cat mint, eucalyptus, and leaves from the black walnut tree. Start with just a small amount to make sure the dog/cat can tolerate the herb.

These uses esential oils rather than fresh herbs
Tick Spritzer Blend
2 drops of Lavender, Basil, Lemon, Opoponax, Eucalyptus essential oils. (can be found at most farmers markets and healthfood stores)
1 tea spoon apple cider vinegar
1 tea spoon vodka
1 cup of dried marjoram, eucalyptus, rosemary
2 cups of water

Flea Spritzer Blend
2 drops of cedar wood, lemongrass, rose geranium (essential oils)
1 tea spoon apple cider vinegar
1 tea spoon vodka
1 cup of dried peppermint, eucalyptus, bay leaf herbs
1- 2 cups of water

Add the essential oils and vodka in a bottle, tighten the lid and shake well. Once the mixture blended (should turn white), add apple cider vinegar. If you have some herbs mentioned above you can make an herbal tea to use in your spritzer.

Boil 2-4 cups of water and remove from heat. Add your dried herbs in the water and let is simmer for 30 minutes. Once cool, drain and use instead of plain water in your spritzer. If you are using an herbal tea, this mixture must be kept in the refrigerator as the herbal teas have the tendency to go bad faster.

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing I'm going to try those out this summer!

[sunny98]

Cool! I will have to try some of these if Sunny gets fleas this year. None last year but I always keep an eye out for them.

[kjm]

I used Frontline Plus. I tried some of the natural remedies last summer and living in the country with my parents, none of those things phased those little blood thirsty fleas. Frontline Plus was the only thing that finally worked and kept them off for weeks.

My parents have always used Seven Dust on our outside dogs. It worked great for the dogs.

[Cassiepeia]

I use frontline on Jesse too, also used it on my sisters silky who had a big problem with fleas at one point. It worked wonders. Just one squeeze on the back of the neck. Sooo easy.

Cass.

[LuvMyPups]

I used Frontline and now Advantage, my vet said it is a good idea to switch methods every once in a while so fleas don't get immune to one...don't know how much truth is behind that but the topical solutions work well...you can order them for less online....

[eskilady]

Two things to use in your house to get rid of the breeding buggers is moth crystals in your vacuum cleaner bag. After you vacuum, they can breed in the bag and then jump out and onto your dog. Also in the house, Borax on your carpet like Carpet Fresh and around the edges of the carpet; then vacuumed up. Outside, ortho has a product to spray the lawn with that doesn't hurt the lawn but does a good job on the fleas. Lavender oil is also very good to use on the dog itself. Makes them smell good but the fleas don't like the smell.

[Owned by Lucy]

I can't use frontline or any of the topical frea treatments because they have an awful effect on me. I also don't like to give poison to my dogs so I say away from the things like program.

The solutions I listed plus the addition of garlic to the diet (not all dogs can tolerate this as it can cause anemia. If you try this start out with small amount and gradually increase.) about 2 tbsp a day for my two.

I also spread the sevendust in the yard to prevent them from taking up residence there.

If you live near the ocean a dip in the ocean will also drown fleas and the high salinity kills the eggs.

[fireworksinjuly]

Originally Posted by Owned by Lucy

I also don't like to give poison to my dogs so I say away from the things like program.

The solutions I listed plus the addition of garlic to the diet (not all dogs can tolerate this as it can cause anemia. If you try this start out with small amount and gradually increase.) about 2 tbsp a day for my two.

I also spread the sevendust in the yard to prevent them from taking up residence there.

If you live near the ocean a dip in the ocean will also drown fleas and the high salinity kills the eggs.

Thats the main reason I wanted a "natural" fix to the problem, I am printing out your recipes right now to try them.

Kino does ok with Garlic, but Im afrain my MIL will feed him too much so when she feed him he doesnt get any.

I wish I lived near an ocean...but we dont...