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Years in the past, after 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 downside for a lot of canines, we solely begin making ready for Flea Season (Spring by way of Fall). Guess what! There isn’t a flea season as a result of, within the winter, the fleas that laid eggs or have been chilling within the heating ducts will get up and begin popping round on our canines (and us).
We have dodged the flea downside for years by doing a number of straightforward issues for our canines and residential.
5 Issues I Do to Defend Our Canines from Fleas
They do not imagine me after I inform folks my canines have by no means had fleas. A flea might have landed on one among them, nevertheless it by no means sticks round. I realized 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 have been proper.
1. Uncooked Fed Canines (and Garlic) Aren’t Tasty to Fleas
Our canines eat a uncooked meals food regimen. Somebody instructed me that fleas do not just like the style of uncooked fed canines; I believe they’re proper. However I am unwilling to just accept that that is all I must do to stop fleas on my canines and in our dwelling.
In response to 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 buddy raves about including garlic to her canines’ food regimen and the advantages. We’re usually instructed that garlic is poisonous to canines, however the research this fantasy is predicated on was feeding canines garlic at quantities we might by no means do in actuality.
I started frequently including Springtime garlic granules to my canines’ food regimen earlier this 12 months due to the improbable advantages. I selected a garlic complement versus contemporary garlic as a result of it is extra accessible and served, and I am not nervous about giving an excessive amount of to my canines. Contemporary garlic in my space is commonly imported, and garlic from some international locations is excessive in arsenic, which I need to keep away from.
Advantages of Garlic for Canines
- 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 cut 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 recognized with hemangiosarcoma. It additionally should not be fed to puppies, pregnant canines, or canines with anemic circumstances.
Study 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 need 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+Type, 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 completely happy to have a 3rd choice for my canines.
Beneath are the merchandise that I alternate with our canines at present:
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
Just lately, I realized that should you’re utilizing the proper shampoo (not human shampoo, not dish detergent), you may shampoo your canines weekly (each day if needed) with out harming their pores and skin and coat. My canines get baths when wanted at present, which is not that usually. 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 per week (or each different week) 12 months round. My canines’ coats are shiny however not greasy.
- To deal with 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 remedy when the canines are sleeping.
Regular canine grooming is an effective way to bond along with your canine; it additionally retains them clear and relaxed and might function an at-home examination.
4. Home Cleansing Retains the Fleas Away
We eliminated the carpet on the house’s most important stage (the place the canines are); at present, we sweep and mop the flooring each different day. I vacuum our flooring, too (it really works higher than sweeping generally). It sounds overkill, however we have now 4 canines and one cat.
If you happen to’re nervous about an infestation, Febreze kills fleas and eggs. I do know it is horrible for us to inhale, nevertheless 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 remedies killed all of the fleas a brand new kitten (Jaffrey) introduced into my condominium. Not best, however I believed it was higher than utilizing a flea bomb.
A pure answer that has blended critiques is diatomaceous earth. You possibly can 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 influence the canines since they’re nearer to the bottom.
5. Canine Parks are Stuffed with Fleas (IMO)
This tip might 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 completely pointless rant. However right here goes…10 Causes Canine Parks SUCK!
- Some folks fail to select 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 carry 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 all the 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 carry 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 could possibly be luck, good Karma, or it could possibly be that the recommendation I obtained 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 concept is right, we reside 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 frequently, and maintain a cleaner home than we do, they usually nonetheless have fleas. Whereas I would like to assume that there’s a easy listing of issues to maintain fleas at bay, the truth is that what works for our home might not work for others. If that is so for you, I would adore it should you’d share the way you’re conserving fleas to a minimal. I do not know when my good luck will run out, and I need to be ready.
Learn Extra About Canine Well being
