A common concern for pet owners is the presence of ticks and fleas, which can cause discomfort and potentially various health issues like infections, dermatitis, gastrointestinal issues, and nervous system effects.
Chemical tick and flea treatments are widely used and may be most effective for severe infestations.
In this article, we explore how to get rid of ticks and fleas on dogs or cats by exploring how flea and tick medicine work, five essential and all natural flea and tick control methods or products, and a useful organic flea and tick repellent home-made recipe that works.
How does flea and tick medicine work?
They work by targeting different life cycle stages of the parasites and affecting their ability to survive, reproduce, and infest your pet. However, many pet owners are seeking safer alternatives that minimise the potential health risks associated with these treatments, placing a higher emphasis on safeguarding their pets’ overall health.
The reason is that excessive use of chemical tick and flea treatments can lead to toxic buildup in their systems, causing a range of adverse reactions like skin irritation, redness, itching, and hair loss at the application site. More severe consequences include allergic reactions, gastrointestinal issues, and neurological symptoms.
Prolonged exposure to these chemicals could weaken their immune system and can be detrimental to their overall health. Furthermore, ticks and fleas can develop resistance to frequent chemical treatments and can render future treatments less effective. This can create a cycle that threatens both our pet’s well-being and the effectiveness of pest control programs.
It is therefore essential to use chemical tick and flea products thoughtfully and seek safer alternatives for treating and preventing minor infestations. Such an approach may ensure the long-term health and well-being of your beloved companion.
In instances where the occasional employment of chemical tick and flea treatments is unavoidable, it becomes fundamental to naturally support your pet’s body mechanisms in detoxifying and expelling these substances with detoxifying and regenerative foods, herbs, and nutraceuticals.
This preventive measure may protect your Wild at Heart One from any potential harm to their well-being.
All Natural Flea and Tick Control for Dogs and Cats
1. Regular Grooming:
Regular grooming is an important part of preventing and managing tick and flea invasions. Frequent bathing with natural shampoos enriched with tick and flea repellents like lavender, aloe, lemongrass, citronella, eucalyptus and lavender, together with regular brushing help to remove these pests from your pet’s fur. Keeping their fur clean, makes it more challenging for pests to latch onto their coat.
2. Diatomaceous Earth:
Diatomaceous earth, a natural powder made from fossilized aquatic organisms, physically dehydrates and abrades the exoskeleton of ticks and fleas, which leads to their eventual death. This is a safe and non-toxic option. Avoid inhalation and contact with eyes during application.
3. Essential Oils:
Essential oils found in natural insect repellents or shampoos, like cedarwood, lavender, citronella, and eucalyptus, have natural repellent properties against ticks and fleas.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar:
Diluted apple cider vinegar solution can be used as a rinse or spray to repel ticks and fleas. While generally safe, it’s advisable to do a patch test on your pet’s skin to test for sensitivity before application.
5. Homemade Herbal Sprays:
Herbal sprays made from ingredients like rosemary, thyme, lavender, and lemon can be effective in repelling pests.
Homemade Herbal Tick and Flea Repellent Spray:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup distilled water
- 1 cup white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 10-20 drops (in total) of essential oil(s) (e.g., lavender, cedarwood, eucalyptus, lemongrass)
- 2 tablespoons carrier oil like olive oil or almond oil.
- A spray bottle
Mix the distilled water and vinegar. Add 10–20 drops of the essential oil(s) to the carrier oil. You can create a blend or use one type of essential oil. Stir the mixture well and carefully pour it into a clean spray bottle.
Shake the spray bottle before each use to ensure the essential oils are evenly distributed.
Spray this natural repellent onto your pet’s coat, and be sure to avoid the eyes, nose, and mouth. Gently rub or brush the mixture into the fur.
You can also spray this on your pet’s bedding and areas where your pet spends time indoors.
Reapply the repellent spray every few days or as necessary, especially before going outdoors to regions where ticks and fleas are prevalent.
*Always test a new product on a small patch of your pet’s skin before using it extensively to ensure they do not have a sensitivity to the essential oils.
Conclusion
Chemical tick and flea treatments offer rapid solutions, especially for severe infestations. It can, however, lead to an accumulation of toxins in your pet’s body and detrimentally impact their health in the long term. Rather, opt for natural options, which provide a safer approach to pest control for your loved one. But remember, it is crucial to consider the unique needs of your pet, taking their surroundings, lifestyle, health, and age into consideration to guarantee their health, comfort, and safety.
Download our infomercial: Cat and Dog Skin Allergy Treatment Infomercial, which explores SIX ways you can help your pet have lustrous and itch-free skin.
Check out our article: The Remarkable Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin Extract for Pets, to assist with your pet’s health journey.
Contact us to receive guidance from Dr. Jeanne-Marie Lambrechts, our expert Naturopath, who will respond directly to your inquiries.
References
- Lappin MR. Update on flea and tick associated diseases of cats. Vet Parasitol. 2018 Apr 30;254:26-29. doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2018.02.022. Epub 2018 Mar 5. PMID: 29657007.
- Mount ME, Moller G, Cook J, Holstege DM, Richardson ER, Ardans A. Clinical illness associated with a commercial tick and flea product in dogs and cats. Vet Hum Toxicol. 1991 Feb;33(1):19-27. PMID: 2017861.
- Li ZM, Robinson M, Kannan K. An assessment of exposure to several classes of pesticides in pet dogs and cats from New York, United States. Environ Int. 2022 Nov;169:107526. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107526. Epub 2022 Sep 14. PMID: 36155914; PMCID: PMC9574881.
- https://www.webmd.com/pets/ss/slideshow-fleas-natural-remedies
- https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/best-home-remedies-fleas/
