Thursday, March 28, 2013

Itch No More with Natural Dog Flea and Tick Control Treatments

By Geraldine Dimarco


Sure, everything in the world has a purpose, and if being a constant irritation is one, then fleas and ticks have found theirs. They may not be as deadly as cancer; but definitely, these tiny little pests make life for our pooch a lot less satisfying than it should be. We cannot unleash chemicals on them without harming our pet as well; so you can try a natural flea repellant for dogs listed in this article.

A good natural dog flea and tick control can be administered through the animal's diet. Nobody likes the stench of garlic breath and it is the same for the fleas. Grate a moderate amount of garlic over the dog's meals to make him taste ugly to the unsuspecting tick. Further boost the immunity of your pet by adding B complex supplements, Omega-3 fatty acid, saffron oil and apple cider vinegar to their meals. Ask your vet as to how much you should put in.

You can also use apple cider vinegar by diluting it in your dog's bath water. The smell and taste of this keep fleas away. If your dog doesn't necessarily like apple cider vinegar on his coat, you can also mix Rosemary essences into his bath water. It has the same effect.

A citrus spray is also natural flea repellant for dogs. Get the juice of four large lemons and blend it in half a quart of water. Spray over your dog's fur, taking care not to spritz over the face. Essential oils like lavender, cedarwood, lemongrass, tea tree and geranium can be dabbed on the dog?'s collar or rubbed behind the ears, around the tail and on his joints. Take note that cats are a different matter and they do not do well with essential oils.

Your furniture are more infested with fleas than the actual animal. It is vital that you make your home as sanitary as you can. Vacuum all your carpets and upholstery, then sprinkle regular table salt or crushed rosemary leaves over it. After leaving it overnight, vacuum thoroughly the next day. Throw the contents of the vacuum bag outside afterwards.

Carefully wash the dog's beddings. Put a few drops of eucalyptus and citronella oil as you rinse it out. Use the sun's heat to dry it out. When you do find a tick, do not crush it immediately. It carries with it harmful bacteria that cause infection. Douse it with alcohol or if it is unavailable, wrap the flea in tissue first before flushing it out because fleas do not drown.

Seasons that are hot and humid will breed more of these pesky organisms. Bathe your dog frequently during summer and inspect him often for ticks. Brush his coat with a fine tooth comb designed to bring out the fleas. Keep in mind that these fleas can be bearers of Lyme disease, heartworm, babesiosis and ehrlichiosis - the extra precaution will benefit your pet in the long run.

Perhaps the most effective natural dog flea and tick control solution is simply keeping your dog as healthy as possible. A clean environment, nutritional food and a stress-free environment will ensure a stronger immune system to fight off any infection.




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