During the warmer months, our thoughts turn to sitting in the garden with a cheeky bottle of something cold. But, us dog owners also start to think about grabbing bottles of other ‘not so nice stuff’ to keep the fleas and ticks at bay.
There is another way!
You can ditch the ‘not so nice stuff’ and use natural preventative measures that are so much kinder to our planet. Now, I’ll drink to that!
The summer months are renowned for a surge in flea activity. This increased humidity and warmth combine to create the perfect conditions for these unwanted itchy guests to survive and breed. And breed they do! The adult fleas feed on blood which can irritate your pet and cause nasty allergies too. After mating, the fleas lay eggs which fall out of the dog’s furry coat. Quite literally the eggs will stay where they land until they hatch, and the cycle continues – this can be in your carpets, rugs and other soft furnishings.
My two recommendations that won’t harm the earth or your dog:
I’m a huge fan of Wildwash Buzz Off Shampoo. It’s all-natural formula with essential oils is simply outstanding. It harnesses the power of Manuka and Cedarwood meaning that it is kind to your dog’s skin while ridding them of pesky fleas and ticks. I’m also super impressed that it contains no parabens, no phosphates, no sulphates, no phthalates, no petrochemicals, no palm oil and no PEGs.
But don’t just take my word for it, try it for yourself – you’ll be glad you did! Head over to my Country Hounds online shop and grab a bottle. I promise that your dog will love you even more for it, if that’s possible!
Secondly, I’d like to introduce you to Diatomaceous Earth. It really doesn’t cost the earth and I mean that in every sense. It’s really cheap and 100% natural. Made from crushed fossils of freshwater organisms and marine life, its non-toxic preventative formula is truly unique. Completely deadly to insects yet completely safe to animals. Simply dust your dog’s fur and bedding with the powder along with your carpets and furnishings to rid your pet and house of fleas. It also stamps out smells so if your dog has a bit of a pong about them, it’ll sort that out too – bonus!
Diatomaceous Earth is easy to find online and, in many retailers, too.
7 other natural ways to prevent your dog from getting fleas this summer
It’s important to follow any advice given to you by your vet in the first instance, but thankfully there are some great home remedies that you can make out of things that you may already have in your kitchen.
- Squeeze a fresh lemon and mix with 2 cups of water and a splash of your dog’s usual shampoo. Now, you’re all set to treat your dog to a well-earned pamper.
- Massage a teaspoon of coconut oil into their fur. Their shiny, healthy coat will be the talk of the town.
- Sprinkle baking soda on carpets, paying attention to the edges close to the walls, leave overnight and give them a good hoover the next day. Baking soda kills fleas by dehydrating them.
- Tick combs are great for keeping on top of potential flea problems. Make it part of your ‘cuddle and relax’ times.
- Machine wash ALL soft furnishings that could be housing fleas and eggs if you see fleas in your home.
- Tumble drying soft furnishings after they have been washed is so effective. In just 15 minutes fleas, in all stages from egg to adult, will be killed.
- In the garden grow some flea repelling plants. Dot about lavender, spearmint, citronella, chamomile, rosemary, sage, sweet bay, marigolds and chrysanthemums in your borders and wherever else your dog likes to wander.
A word of warning
Many natural sprays that kill fleas contain essential oils, so it’s easy to be tempted to make up your own solutions using essential oils. PLEASE DO THIS WITH CAUTION AND SPEAK TO YOUR VET FIRST.
The Country Hounds Online Shop
The products that you can buy from my online shop have been developed to keep your pet’s health in tip-top condition – from their teeth to their tail. I insist on using high quality products that are kind to dogs and to our environment. Take a peak: Country Hounds Online Shop.
