In the warm summer months, we tend to spend more time outside with our pets, especially in parks and other natural settings. And this inevitably means more contact with fleas.
You may give your dogs and cats the best natural foods you can find, and use the most pet-friendly natural grooming products available. So when it comes to battling fleas, you want to tackle the problem in a way that's safe for your pet, your family, and the environment, too. Here are some tips and natural remedies you might consider trying.
First, it's important to keep you pets in good health because a strong immune system makes them less vulnerable targets for fleas. A good natural diet can help boost your pet's immune system and overall health. Some also say feeding your pet garlic or brewer's yeast during flea season can make their blood taste less appealing to fleas.
Grooming, of course, is an important factor in keeping the flea population down. Daily combing with a flea comb will help catch some of the adult fleas. (Have a bowl of water nearby to drown them.) Regular bathing will kill most of the fleas on your pet's coat and destroy their eggs. Use a natural herbal pet shampoo and massage it deep into the fur. Leave it on for at least 15 minutes, if possible, before rinsing thoroughly. Avoid using chemical flea shampoos and flea dips. These products not only subject your pet to toxic chemicals, but will leave a residue on their fur. Your pet will ingest these chemicals when they lick themselves. Cats are especially sensitive to these products, and some chemical dips have been known to be fatal for some.
Not all natural products are safe, however. Pennyroyal and citrus oils were once commonly used in natural flea remedies, however most pet product manufacturers have stopped using them since they've been found to be toxic to puppies and cats. Eucalyptus may also be toxic to cats.
Some natural products believed to be pet-safe that could be helpful in the fight against fleas are essential oils such as tea tree, citronella, neem, lavendar, rosemary, lemongrass, cedar, and for grown dogs, eucalyptus. While they won't kill fleas, they'll help to repel them. Some will also help soothe skin already irritated by flea bites or other conditions. Never apply undiluted essential oils directly on your pet, however, as they can irritate and be harmful in concentrated form. Instead, look for shampoos, sprays, collars, and other pet grooming products that contain these ingredients. Just remember that your pet's sense of smell is much more sensitive than yours, so wearing strong scents can be uncomfortable for them. Also note that some cats are extremely sensitive to ALL essential oils, so monitor their use with cats carefully.
Of course, it doesn't help to fortify your pet against fleas if his environment remains infested. Clean floors, carpets and upholstery regularly. Put some borax (see below) in your vacuum cleaner bag before cleaning the house to kill fleas and eggs vacuumed up. Wash your pet's bedding in the hottest water it can take.
Diatomaceous earth is a powder derived from a soft rock containing the fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. It is also an effective natural flea killer for use in the home. Get some from a garden supply store. (Don't use the DE products carried at pool stores - those are heat-treated which renders them ineffective for flea control.) Sprinkle it lightly on carpets, floors, under sofa cushions and in your pet's bedding. It is quite safe to use around pets and humans (in fact, it's used in some of our food!), but is deadly to fleas. And it will retain its effectiveness over time.
Borates, naturally occurring minerals containing boron, are also effective at killing fleas. However borate products (such as boric acid) can also be harmful to pets and humans if inhaled. It therefore requires vacating the area during treatment and, as it takes time to work, is more useful for small areas. To kill fleas, get some garden-grade natural borax (again, not the type found at pool stores) and sprinkle it on carpeting, upholstery and other surfaces throughout the home. Allow it to sit for 48 hours, then vacuum thoroughly, preferably twice. Keep pets and people away from the treated area until it's been thoroughly vacuumed. Repeat this procedure every 2 weeks until all the fleas are gone.
There are products containing borates made especially for killing fleas that may be safer and better for use in large areas. They are less toxic and likely to have fewer adverse effects. But never use any borate products or diatomaceous earth directly on pets. They are for surface use in the home and environment only.
Another item you might consider for the home is an electric flea trap which works to attract and trap fleas within a certain range. They're safe and easy to use, however you may need several to cover your entire home.
Finally, you could try sprinkling lavender or sage around your pet's bedding, as fleas seem to be repelled by these herbs. Plus, they'll help keep your pet's bedding smelling fresh.
CJ Aelurus is the founder of Creature Comfortz - http://www.creaturecomfortz.com - an online store featuring high quality specialty products for dogs and cats, where their goal is to delight, inspire, and bring more comfort and fun to the lives of pets and their people.
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