Natural Flea Remedies for Dogs
Excerpt : While companies boast the effectiveness of traditional flea control methods for dogs, some reports indicate that they can be toxic, and in some cases cause hot spots, allergies, and compromised
While companies boast the effectiveness of traditional flea
control methods for dogs, some reports indicate that they can be
toxic, and in some cases cause hot spots, allergies, and
compromised immune function. In rarer cases, these methods have
been fatal. As a result, more and more owners are looking to
find safe and effective alternatives to flea shampoos, powders,
collars, and the like. The following may help reduce the
incidence of fleas for your dog.
1. General Diet. There's a nutritional reason why your dog has
fleas, and it could be in large part that your dog's immune
system may be compromised. A strong immune system and high
nutrient levels naturally deter fleas and other insects. In
particular, the levels
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of B complex, zinc, selenium and
antioxidants in the body and bloodstream play a large role in
immune function. By feeding your animals a high-quality, natural
diet, free of additives and preservatives, you improve their
health and dramatically increase their protection from fleas. A
healthy animal does not taste or smell as good to fleas.
2. Dietary Supplements. Garlic. 1-3 fresh garlic
cloves-pulverized and mixed with food--may be administered
daily.
Brewer's Yeast/Thiamin. The potent nutrient found in brewer's
yeast is thiamin. One milligram (1 mg) of thiamine daily for
each five pounds of your pet's body weight is ideal. For a large
dog, you might administer one tablespoon of brewer's
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yeast
supplemented with a B-complex vitamin pill. Brewer's yeast can
also be dusted on externally as a flea powder. If your pet licks
some off, there's no harm done.
Zinc. This mineral is essential for healthy skin, but is lacking
in many pets' diets. Use chelated (pronounced key-lated) zinc:
10 mg daily for small dogs; 20 mg for larger canines.
These dietary supplements will require close to a month to build
up to flea-fighting levels in a pet's skin. So start them in the
spring before you find yourself in the midst of a severe flea
invasion.
3. Vinegar--internal use. Take a gallon of water, add four to
six teaspoons of organic white vinegar, and give it to your pets
as their only drinking water.
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If they have a water dish outside,
use this water for that as well. During the winter, you can use
a smaller amount (~4 teaspoons), but you'll want to use a more
potent mixture (~6 teaspoons) during flea season.
4. Grooming. Combing your dog daily with a flea comb is an
important part of flea control. Bathing animals regularly is
also advised.
5. Bathing and Shampooing. There is no need to use chemical flea
shampoos. A water bath with a gentle soap that won't irritate
their skin is sufficient to eliminate existing fleas. You can
also use bentonite or terramin clay mixed with water into a thin
paste. Wet your dog thoroughly, then in brush the clay into the
fur and massage it in the skin for a few minutes.
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Then rinse off
lightly.
6. Organic red or white vinegar as skin remedy. Vinegar is a
naturally occurring germ killer and is one of the very first
medicines known to man. It kills germs on contact and it
contains bacteria which is unfriendly to infectious
micro-organisms. It is a natural remedy and most of all, it is
safe. For a full body treatment, add four cups of vinegar to the
bath water. Be careful not to get the vinegar/water mixture in
the ears and eyes. The vinegar/water rinses are a quick remedy
to relieve minor skin irritations such as hives, chigger bites,
other insect bites and rashes.
7. Neem Oil as skin remedy. The seeds, bark and leaves of the
neem plant contain compounds with proven
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antiseptic, antiviral,
antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, and antifungal uses.
For thousands of years, the Indian people have appreciated the
medicinal and insect-repellent properties of neem leaves and
seeds. Mix one ounce of pure neem oil with 2 or 3 ounces of
organic white vinegar and 4 to 6 ounces of water. Before
applying, hose your dog thoroughly with water. Shake the bottle
well several times while applying the oil mixture on the entire
body, including legs, feet, tail, etc. Then brush your dog to
help disperse the neem oil futher on fur and skin. Do not rinse
off. Neem oil repels flea immediately and help heal hotspots and
promote a healthy skin.
About the author:
Chris Byrne maintains the site DogHealthNet.com.
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