A large number of pets in America today are subjected to chemicals which can harm and actually kill. Those chemicals are found in the topical flea and tick medications pushed by veterinarians, sold in pet shops everywhere, and promoted on line.They're also found in flea soaps that can be found on grocery store shelves. If you read the fine print you'll see a warning - don't get this stuff on your own skin. Not even the soap suds.
Think about that. You put it on your pets and it travels to their skin to repel and kill fleas. When you pet those dogs and cats aren't you (and maybe your small children) getting it into your own systems? Even if these chemicals don't hurt your pets, they might hurt you!
Just like human, some pets handle chemicals well, while others suffer from severe reactions. The one time that my dogs picked up fleas our vet treated all three - and while two of them were fine, the Blue Heeler scratched until he bled for a full month.What a relief when that stuff finally worked its way out of his system.
But Pepper's problem was minor. Some dogs and cats have been reported to simply stop breathing or go into convulsions after application of products for flea and tick removal.
Because I'd never subject my dogs to this threat again, I started looking for natural alternatives, and did find some all natural products on the market. But I found even more. I found other concerned pet lovers willing to share their natural, home-made recipes for flea removal.
One such remedy is to use Diatomaceous Earth or Borax, worked down into carpets and on door sills to kill the fleas in the house. Let this sit for several hours and then vacuum up any powder that's loose.
One pet forum reader says the following spray for dogs doesn't just repel the insects - she finds them dead. (This one shouldn't be used on cats as they react differently to essential oils.)
Add 8 or 9 drops of each of the following essential oils to a 24-oz. spray bottle filled with water.
- Tea Tree
- Rosemary
- Sage (any kind)
- Cedarwood
- Peppermint
- Sweet Orange
- Eucalyptus
- Citronella
- Pine Needle.
Another reader shared her recipe: She boils the rind of
- 1 Orange
- 1 Grapefruit
- 1 Lemon
- 1 Lime
- and a handful of Rosemary
After boiling let it steep overnight, then strain into a sprayer bottle.
To prevent fleas on both cats and dogs, plant Pennyroyal and/or catnip in areas where they walk and lay. Just rubbing against this plant will give them a repellent coat. Be careful where you plant this, however. It grows and spreads like a weed. Both of these plants will help deter mosquitoes - so are helpful when planted aside your patio.
Before you use any chemical on your pets, for insect control or for de-worming - do take the time to research. And do make yourself familiar with the symptoms of allergic reaction, so you can take action fast in an emergency situation.
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