Yes, here we are... in the midst of the dog days of summer!
So nice for us to have warmer weather, but to your pet that could mean pain, itching, and overall discomfort due to flea infestations...
Pets are a huge part of your family, almost like children, and you hate seeing them suffer!
I prefer to keep my pets comfortable, because if our pets are happy, then they go out of their way to make us super-happy!
If you're anything like me, you have been trying to remove most of the un-natural chemicals and crap from your animal's environment as well as your own....
but how do we get rid of nasty fleas without pesticides and bombs and chemical sprays?
Here is the first way.
What goes into your pet's body is crucial to inner as well as outer health!
I started reading the labels of the pet food I was buying and was shocked at the ingredients, which were mostly inedible corn and grain, a little bit of meat or meat by-products (WTH is that anyway?), and sometimes there were vegetables...
I began a quest, looking for foods that were based in meats and fruits and veggies :)
I found some good ones!
Rachel Ray makes a nice food that my dog loves :)
Not only does our choice for our furry friend's food affect their digestion and shiny coat, but low nutrient and hard to digest food can also weaken their immune systems, which leaves them vulnerable to parasitic predators such as ticks and fleas!
Some years are worse than others for parasite infestations, and can just be pretty hard to avoid, no matter what we try :/
For those instances, I have found many tricks along the way to help lessen the attacks ;)
(including my own recipe, which I will share at the end!)
Aside from diet, here is a list of some of the other environmentally safe, and healthy for our pet tips I have compiled over the years:
- Brush your animal's fur daily, not only does it keep their coat shiny by releasing natural oils through stimulation of the skin, but can keep them free of tangles where critters live and brushes away some of the nasty buggers
- Just plain old soap and water bathing once a week helps to get rid of pests and keep them away, it isn't necessary to use chemical-laden flea soaps and collars (use a natural soap like Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap)
- Keep a dish of warm soapy water near your pet's bed, fleas are attracted to warmth, and won't make it out of the dish alive
- Vacuum daily! But before vacuuming your carpets, sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth and leave for 15 minutes... it is deadly for insects and bugs, but safe for humans and pets!
- Put a teaspoon of vinegar in your pet's water, fleas dislike the bitter taste of the vinegar in the blood, and may leave them alone to find a tastier treat!
- Put a bit of minced garlic in their food as it creates the same bitter taste to the pests (before doing so, I researched this at great length and found that some advise against giving your animals garlic...my dog has had no adverse affects and enjoys the flavor! Use your own discretion, of course)
- Rub orange peel on the animal's coat, fleas hate acidity and the pungent aroma of the orange oils is a turn-off for them
Finally! My Recipe...
I made a concoction of essential oils that are pungent and very unattractive to fleas (and other itty bitty icky critters) and added it to water. Here is the recipe:
- 20 drops each of these essential oils: rosemary, basil, tea tree, and lavender
- 24 ounces of tap water
- spray bottle
Shake mixture gently before using to combine the oils and spritz lightly over areas such as furniture, pet beds, bed linens, and carpeting. Fleas will hate you for taking away their comfort!
Use this recipe and the other tips in this blog at your own discretion, all pets react differently to these treatments, and be sure to do your own research as not all these methods will work for your animals. :)
ENJOY YOUR SUMMER!!
