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Years in the past, once I was nonetheless taking my canines to a standard vet, the veterinarian combed by way of my canines’ hair for the longest time, repeating, “they do not have fleas.”
“In fact, my infants do not have fleas! They’re uncooked fed.” I did not say that out loud.
Though fleas are a year-round drawback for a lot of canines, we solely begin getting ready for Flea Season (Spring by way of Fall). Guess what! There is no such thing as a flea season as a result of, within the winter, the fleas that laid eggs or had been chilling within the heating ducts will get up and begin popping round on our canines (and us).
We have dodged the flea drawback for years by doing a number of simple issues for our canines and residential.
5 Issues I Do to Defend Our Canine from Fleas
They do not consider me once I inform folks my canines have by no means had fleas. A flea could have landed on considered one of them, however it by no means sticks round. I discovered about free prevention from different canine house owners utilizing pure prevention. When somebody first instructed me what to do, I used to be skeptical – fleas are unavoidable. – however they had been proper.
1. Uncooked Fed Canine (and Garlic) Aren’t Tasty to Fleas
Our canines eat a uncooked meals eating regimen. Somebody instructed me that fleas do not just like the style of uncooked fed canines; I feel they’re proper. However I am unwilling to just accept that that is all I have to do to stop fleas on my canines and in our house.
Based on Dr. Peter Dobias, the explanations canines fed processed meals appeal to fleas are…
- fleas love sugar highs, and kibble diets trigger extreme blood glucose spikes, attracting fleas.
- fleas are interested in animals with stronger odors and fewer wholesome pores and skin.
That sounds nice and all, however I do know many uncooked feeders who’re nonetheless battling fleas. A pal raves about including garlic to her canines’ eating regimen and the advantages. We’re typically instructed that garlic is poisonous to canines, however the research this fable relies on was feeding canines garlic at quantities we’d by no means do in actuality.
I started repeatedly including Springtime garlic granules to my canines’ eating regimen earlier this yr due to the incredible advantages. I selected a garlic complement versus contemporary garlic as a result of it is extra accessible and served, and I am not apprehensive about giving an excessive amount of to my canines. Contemporary garlic in my space is usually imported, and garlic from some nations is excessive in arsenic, which I wish to keep away from.
Advantages of Garlic for Canine
- garlic is a pure antibiotic, antifungal, and antiparasitic (flea/tick repellent)
- garlic helps to spice up the immune system
- garlic has cancer-fighting properties
- garlic acts as a pure detox
- garlic promotes wholesome intestine micro organism
- garlic helps to scale back irritation
- garlic helps cardiac well being
- garlic helps cognitive well being
Garlic will increase a physique’s anti-clotting properties, so it is unsuitable for canines identified with hemangiosarcoma. It additionally should not be fed to puppies, pregnant canines, or canines with anemic circumstances.
Be taught extra in regards to the deceptive research about garlic and canines.
2. Pure Flea and Tick Repellents ROCK!
I used to alternate between Wondercide and Cedarcide pure flea-repellent merchandise. What I really like about these manufacturers is that their merchandise additionally repel mosquitos. We do not have to fret about heartworm in Washington state, however this might change. I do not wish to take an opportunity with three ponds on our property. The fish and frogs cannot catch each bug.
A few years in the past, I switched my canines to a product by Kin+Form, which could be very efficient and smells nice. I switched when Wondercide made an substances change that freaked folks out. I nonetheless do not know if the ingredient change was an enormous deal, however I am comfortable to have a 3rd possibility for my canines.
Under are the merchandise that I alternate with our canines right this moment:
I deal with my canines weekly, massaging the product into their coat. I’ve even used these merchandise on myself to maintain mosquitoes away.
3. Common Grooming Repels Fleas
Not too long ago, I discovered that when you’re utilizing the suitable shampoo (not human shampoo, not dish detergent), you’ll be able to shampoo your canines weekly (every day if essential) with out harming their pores and skin and coat. My canines get baths when wanted right this moment, which is not that always. I switched to pure canine shampoo years in the past as a result of it is more healthy and safer.
I alternate between 4-Legger Canine Shampoo, licensed natural and all-natural (not a advertising and marketing gimmick), and Skout’s Honor Probiotic Shampoo. If fleas hitch a trip on our canines, they go down the drain earlier than I see them.
Coconut Oil Kills Fleas
When not bathing my canines, I therapeutic massage their coats with therapeutic-grade coconut oil, a pure flea and tick killer. The coconut oil coasts the exoskeleton of fleas and ticks, slowing them down and suffocating them whereas therapeutic any bites, due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial advantages.
- For prevention, I therapeutic massage a small quantity into my canines’ coats. The antibacterial properties of coconut oil additionally maintain the doggy odor. I do that as soon as every week (or each different week) yr round. My canines’ coats are shiny however not greasy.
- To handle an outbreak, it is suggested to therapeutic massage a beneficiant quantity of coconut oil into our canines’ pores and skin and coat and wash off 8 hours later utilizing your favourite pure shampoo. I select to do an in a single day therapy when the canines are sleeping.
Regular canine grooming is a good way to bond together with your canine; it additionally retains them clear and relaxed and may function an at-home examination.
4. Home Cleansing Retains the Fleas Away
We eliminated the carpet on the house’s important stage (the place the canines are); right this moment, we sweep and mop the flooring each different day. I vacuum our flooring, too (it really works higher than sweeping typically). It sounds overkill, however we’ve got 4 canines and one cat.
For those who’re apprehensive about an infestation, Febreze kills fleas and eggs. I do know it is horrible for us to inhale, however it does work. Put the canines within the yard for the day, and spray the furnishings (beneath, too), rugs, and carpet. Years in the past, two therapies killed all of the fleas a brand new kitten (Jaffrey) introduced into my condominium. Not ideally suited, however I assumed it was higher than utilizing a flea bomb.
A pure resolution that has combined critiques is diatomaceous earth. You’ll be able to sprinkle it on canine beds and flooring, let it sit for a number of hours, then vacuum. The difficulty with diatomaceous earth is that inhaling is unhealthy, which might impression the canines since they’re nearer to the bottom.
5. Canine Parks are Filled with Fleas (IMO)
This tip could have one thing to do with the dearth of fleas on our canines, or it may simply be my tainted view of the canine park and my weak try to supply an excuse to go on a wholly pointless rant. However right here goes…10 Causes Canine Parks SUCK!
- Some folks fail to choose up their canine’s poop.
- Individuals are extra targeted on their telephones than their canines.
- Misguided canine house owners assume the canine park is all they should socialize their canines.
- Individuals deliver their aggressive or anxious canines.
- That butt munch who did an alpha rollover on this canine endangered himself, his canine, and the remainder of us.
- The loopy couple who introduced toys to the park and received mad that different canines wished to play.
- The woman who carries her small canine the complete time whereas screaming because the canines are interested in her.
- Retractable Leashes.
- The morons who introduced their Kentucky Fried Hen and dropped the bones “for the canines.”
- The {couples} who deliver their toddlers to the canine park to “play with the beautiful canines.”
Rant Over.
Extra Methods to Repel Fleas
When Fleas are Nonetheless an Subject
Our lack of fleas might be luck, good Karma, or it might be that the recommendation I acquired a number of years in the past was spot on. Somebody as soon as instructed me that fleas hate the solar, and our property is 95% sunshine and 5% shade. If this principle is right, we stay on a flea-unfriendly property. Regardless of the motive, I am grateful I haven’t got to make use of chemical flea and tick repellents.
Sadly, not everybody has the identical luck that I’ve. I do know individuals who feed uncooked, bathe their canines repeatedly, and preserve a cleaner home than we do, and so they nonetheless have fleas. Whereas I would like to assume that there’s a easy listing of issues to maintain fleas at bay, the fact is that what works for our home could not work for others. If so for you, I would adore it when you’d share the way you’re maintaining fleas to a minimal. I do not know when my good luck will run out, and I wish to be ready.
Learn Extra About Canine Well being
