Please Help! Natural Flea Preventative For My Little One

[chichihuahua]

Hi everyone, I would love some advice on flea treatments. I have a small breed who's around 1.5 years old and since I got him I've had him on revolution because it was what the vet recommended me to use as a preventative measure against fleas. My dog hates the product and I've read alot of negative things regarding the chemicals and I'm really worried that I'm poisoning him without realising it.

I'd like to use something more natural. I'm a bit confused about all the different remedies out there and would love some advice! What do you do for your dogs? I take my dog to the dog park daily but he's mostly an inside dog and I bathe him fortnightly as well as washing his bedding cover. Would it be sufficient if I gave him just a tiny bit of garlic every day, and then give him a quick lemon-in-water rinse when in the bath?

One last question, I've already read that the yearly booster vaccinations we give our dogs do more harm then good for them - apparently studies done show that we're over-vaccinating our animals and shots every three years is enough. What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks!

Edited October 18, 2008 by reality_22

[Rysup]

Definately think we over-vaccinate.

As for the fleas, I have not found a natural alternative that actually works. We use Advantage, its the only thing that works here.

[Golden Rules]

Hi and welcome!

I have recommended Neem Oil as a preventative for fleas in the past. (www.neemaus.com.au) Spray on product (once weekly) and if the dog licks it, it is actually good for them, cleanses the blood.

I used it for an old and neglected Goldie when I first got him.

I no longer use any flea treatments. I figure if there is a flea outbreak, we'll deal with it - but have had no fleas for a few years now. That's worth thinking about. ;)

As for vaccinating, I will only do it now if I need to put the dogs into kennels. Certainly not annually.

There is a load of info here re vaccinations, just do a search and you'll be reading for a month of Sundays!

[The Spotted Devil]

In regards to natural flea treatments, the garlic one is a myth unfortunately - can't remember the specifics but a very good textbook on cat/dog nutrition debunked this one and explained why the myth arose. Sorry I can't help any more than that

[Nekhbet]

I use flea treatments as required, in almost 5 years I think I've used 1 packet of frontline to mop up a stray few fleas someone brought to my place.

as for vaccinating... well opinions are divided. Our vaccines are not americans, they are different (especially rabies) its coming down to personal choice but educate yourself and if you wish to discontinue a normal vaccine protocol at least be responsible and let everyone else you socialise your dog with know you have discontinued boosters.

$2000 parvo bill. You do what you want but I've paid dearly for other people not vaccinating their dogs thanks. Like I said personal choice but have the decency to let people know or at least titre test to make sure your dog is not running around spreading disease.

[morgan]

Diatomaceous earth also works on fleas - it is not the best product to inhale as it can be a bit irritating, but is very good dusted around dry spots inside and outside where fleas might breed. Kills them and other insects by damaging their outside covering (exoskeleton) and they dehydrate to death, no poison involved.

I would use neem oil on the dog and the DE in the environment for the best control. I have used DE directly on some rescue cats and kittens that were crawling with fleas and got rid of every last one. As they were in poor condition I didn't want to use chemicals at all, so just dusted the DE into the cat like flea powder, but carefully so that no-one inhaled it. When the cats lick it off their coats it helps get rid of worms.

[Alison]

Thanks for posting this topic, it's something i was just about to start looking into, can't use spot-ons for my dog anymore

I have recommended Neem Oil as a preventative for fleas in the past.

Diatomaceous earth also works on fleas

I buy alot of stuff from Natural Animal Solutions and when looking at their site tonight, i came across this product, it contains the two ingredients suggested above. Might give this a shot.

Natural Animal Solutions - Flea Powder

[Raven]

I know this is an old post but i'm trying to find a safe product to

use on a run i'm making for my dog.

Can you tell me where to purchase

Diatomaceous earth I'm in the Lismore area NSW

Thanks

[Bow Wow]

http://www.greenharvest.com.au/

[Raven]

Thank You Bini Boo

[Tilly]

Fido's have a Herbal flea rinse ... similar to their Fre-Itch Rinse. Not sure how "natural" it is or how effective ...

I use the Fre-Itch and find it great in the hydrobath. We also use the Fre-itch to dunk a small pomxchi that my mother is looking after.

[kbo]

I've been using Apple Cider Vinegar for the past few weeks - diluted 50:50 with water and sponged all over the coat.

I do this twice a day (before taking him out for a walk so he is still damp) and then in the evening after his walk I run a flea comb all over.

It is a mild repellent - I still might find one or two fleas on him every couple of days using this method, but I was combing 6 to a dozen off him every day when using a herbal flea powder so I think I will stick with the ACV through summer.

Some people hate the smell of the vinegar but I quite like it - it makes me hungry for fish and chips!

[Raven]

Thanks Tilly and kbo,

I have been using Apple Cider Vinegar (I also like the smell)

and will have a look at Fido's and see what they have to offer.

[Lowenhart]

Pyrethrin is a natural insecticide, it comes from Chrysanthemums. Not that it's particularly "healthy" if your dog eats it and the dog can be allergic (like any substance). There are dips and shampoos that use Pyrethrin as their active ingredient.

Tea tree oil and Eucalyptus oil are natural insect repellents. Again not particularly "healthy" if eaten and the dog can have allergies to these substances.

I use tea tree shampoo in conjunction with twice weekly Capstar tablets to keep the dogs I have at my house pretty flea free. I have a neighbour with a wandering wildlife killing cat , so I get some fleas from time to time (along with discarded bird & lizard carcasses). The shampoo is great for the whites on my dogs and I would use it even if I didn't have the walking flea spreader next door.

Garlic is hopeless. My oldest sister gave me a cat she couldn't keep it any more, it was barely out of kittenhood, that she had been feeding garlic to control the fleas... Well the cat was carrying a huge infestation of the most virulent strain of fleas I've ever heard of. :D It took almost a year and thousands of dollars and I hate to think of the amount of toxins to get ontop of these evil garlic strengthened fleas.

[cherlee]

I'm uncomfortable with using chemicals on Rufus too. So far he has not had any flea problems and I'm using an essential oil blended spray from Cherished Creatures - smells great too, some essential oil blended anti-flea shampoo bought from QVB, and I a small amount of ACV to his waterbowl too. I tried rubbing Neem oil on Rufus but I can't stand the smell and I almost threw up my lunch. Funny though, cause my Hubby loves the smell

Having said that, I've only brought him out very recently since he's just finished his final vaccination 2 weeks ago. I bring him daily (when weather permits) to the Park and spend about 2-3hours there. We've walked through bushes etc and he's still flea-free (Thank God).

Hope you find an effective natural flea preventive for your baby too

[cazxxz]

There is a West Australian company called Tinderbox that makes lots of herbal and natural remedies. I have the Doggy Blend. It smells great but we don't have a big flea problem in our area. Has anyone else tried it?

[Miranda]

It is a mild repellent - I still might find one or two fleas on him every couple of days using this method, but I was combing 6 to a dozen off him every day when using a herbal flea powder so I think I will stick with the ACV through summer.

No offence, but finding one or two fleas on a dog every couple of days is one or two fleas too many. Having a dog with fleas just isn't acceptable IMO. If you're finding just one flea on your dog it means that there are probably 100's more in the environment and your dog is going to be constantly reinfected. A dog with fleas will always have tapeworm and may develop a dermatitis caused by an allergic reaction to the fleas' saliva.

I have never found a totally effective 'natural' product that totally eradicates fleas and if I do find a flea I use Advantage. I don't have a flea problem here and haven't found any at all this year, but I have a zero tolerance policy and unfortunately the only flea treatment that works for my dogs involves using chemicals. If I could find a natural product that worked I would use it, but I haven't found one yet.

Edited January 22, 2009 by Miranda

[rhyllpointers]

It is a mild repellent - I still might find one or two fleas on him every couple of days using this method, but I was combing 6 to a dozen off him every day when using a herbal flea powder so I think I will stick with the ACV through summer.

No offence, but finding one or two fleas on a dog every couple of days is one or two fleas too many. Having a dog with fleas just isn't acceptable IMO. If you're finding just one flea on your dog it means that there are probably 100's more in the environment and your dog is going to be constantly reinfected. A dog with fleas will always have tapeworm and may develop a dermatitis caused by an allergic reaction to the fleas' saliva.

I have never found a totally effective 'natural' product that totally eradicates fleas and if I do find a flea I use Advantage. I don't have a flea problem here and haven't found any at all this year, but I have a zero tolerance policy and unfortunately the only flea treatment that works for my dogs involves using chemicals. If I could find a natural product that worked I would use it, but I haven't found one yet.

[rhyllpointers]

I too follow a check and treat regime for my dogs, rather than the usual one that vets suggest i.e. treat all year round, fleas or not!!! (just in case!!!)

However, for the past 4 + years now (this is the 4th summer flea season) I have not had to use any chemical flea treatments on my dogs at all. I can only put that down to the use (4 years ago) of a tiny amount of Cod Liver Oil in their dinners??? (1 x capful between 6 - 8 large Pointer sized meals).

I haven't any proof that this oil is acting as a flea deterrant (maybe fleas don't like the taste of the CLO in the dog's blood or its the odour they don't like - rather like garlic???) and I wonder if anyone else on this list uses CLO regularly and if they have also noticed zero fleas????

My dogs live in a clean environment, but it can be hot and dusty during the days and wet and humid overnight - ideal flea conditions??

My dogs also go to shows and obedience etc. so could be exposed to sources if re-infection when they go out??

I stress that I only use a tiny amount as CLO has a strong taste/odour which fussy dogs are not too keen on???

Please, I would love to hear from anyone who has experienced similar "natural flea control" when using CLO????

Cheers, Charlie

[sandgrubber]

Diatomaceous earth also works on fleas - it is not the best product to inhale as it can be a bit irritating, but is very good dusted around dry spots inside and outside where fleas might breed. Kills them and other insects by damaging their outside covering (exoskeleton) and they dehydrate to death, no poison involved.

Depends on your definition of "poison". If particle size is very small (sub micron) a powder can do real lung damage in the long term.

I have yet to find a natural remedy that works for fleas here . . . .and some of the commercial remedies don't work all that well either. I don't really care about fleas. The issue is what to do when you have dogs that get flea allergy dermstitus. In my experience, neem doesn't work.