Fleas can be irritating to your pet. They bite your pet causing excessive itching, and they have the possibility of spreading diseases and worms to your pet. You don't have to shell out big money to fight the battle of the fleas—there are simple remedies that you can do at home to rid your pet of fleas naturally.
Commercial flea products for your dog, or cat typically contain chemicals and pesticides that can cause your animal to become ill, or have an allergic reaction. There are many natural homemade flea remedies that you can do right from your home without the worry of not knowing what sort of chemicals you are exposing your animal to.
Using Garlic To Chase Fleas Away
According to paws-rescue.org, fleas do not like the taste of garlic. Add a small amount of fresh-grated garlic to your pet's food every few days. The garlic flavor will enter into your pet's blood, and when a flea bites your pet he will get the garlic taste. This will help keep him away from your pet.
In large amounts, garlic can be dangerous to your dog causing oxidated damage to the red blood cells in their blood stream. The key word here is large amount. A dog would have to eat .5% of his body weight in garlic. This means that a dog that weighs 60 pounds would have to eat several full cloves of garlic. A little sprinkling of garlic on your pet’s food will not cause him any damage.
Dr. Messonoir, aurther of the book, The Natural Vet’s Guide To Preventing and Treating Cancer in Dogs, recommends one clove of fresh garlic for every 10 – 30 pounds of weight a day to help boost an animal’s immune system. It is also recommended to skip a few days a week, or even skip an entire week feeding your animal garlic.
Lemons Can Be Used As A Flea Spray
Boil six lemons cut in half in a quart of water. Steep for a few hours, and then strain into a spray bottle. Spray your animal's fur with the solution to keep fleas away. Apply the solution with your hand to the animal's face to avoid getting it into his eyes or nose.
Fleas Hate The Smell of Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar is another smell that will repel fleas. Add a tablespoon to your animal's water bowl, or rinse his fur with apple cider vinegar when bathing him, or her. Fleas do not like the taste or the smell of the vinegar.
Stash Earl Grey Tea Will Make The Fleas Flee
Fleas hate stash earl grey tea. Scatter the tea onto your carpets and leave in for a few days before vacuuming. Some pets also like to roll around in the tea, which also helps to deter the fleas from jumping on them.
Home Made Flea Collar
Make your own home made flea collar by rubbing eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, citronella, or tea tree oil onto a rope collar, or bandana, according to easy-homemade-recipes.com. Reapply weekly.
Dog Treat Recipe for Flea Control
Try this simple recipe that your dog will enjoy, and the fleas will hate.
- 1/4 wheat germ
- 1/4 brewer's yeast
- 1 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons of canola oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup chicken stock, with another 3 tablespoons for basting
Mix flour, brewer's yeast, wheat germ and salt together. In a separate bowl combine garlic and canola oil. Add a 1/2 cup chicken stock and flour. Mix until well combined. Knead for 2 minutes on a floured surface.
Roll dough approximately 3/8 inch thick. Cut into bone shapes and place onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10 minutes in a 400 degree oven. Rotate baking sheet and baste with remaining chicken stock. Bake for another 10 minutes. Turn oven off and leave pan in oven for 1 1/2 hours with the oven door closed.
The treats will have the same effect as adding garlic to their food. It's a delicious treat for your dog and a great repellent for fleas.
Help keep your pet from being miserable during this year’s flea season. These simple things listed above are easy to do, safe for your pet, and will keep you and your pet happier in the end.
Deanna Roddy - I've been writing for many years now. I ran my own underground music magazine where I interviewed many musicians, wrote articles and ...
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