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The phrasal idiom “ flea and ticking ” strike an itchy chord among many detent parent . These bothersome leech are a nuisance for both pet and the great unwashed . They do n’t just cause itching and scratching — flea and tick can spread a range of malady and infections that can make hound and other family line members nauseated .
The upright news is that there are plenty of flea and tick control production for dogs out there to combat these parasites and even prevent infestations . That being said , it ’s not uncommon for cad parent to evince concerns about the eccentric of chemicals used in these products and potential side effects they may cause .
This has lead some pet parents to look for for innate flea and ticking prevention for dogs . The doubtfulness is , do rude therapeutic work when it get along to external parasites ? Well , let ’s take a tone .
Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs: Why It’s Important
Before we get into natural flea and ticking treatment for firedog , have ’s take a brief look at where dog clean up these parasites and why it ’s so vital to keep fleas and ticks at bay .
Fleasandtickslike to hang out in fly-by-night , moist areas , such as tall grass , shrubs , weeds , and woodwind and folio piles . Inside the household , fleas can lurk in carpet , furniture , and cracks and crevice . hot dog can pick up fleas and tick simply by getting close to these parasites , whether in the house , in the cubic yard , at the park , or from other animals who already have them .
Once these sponge encounter a host , they feed on the creature ’s blood . In doing so , they can transmit grave disease . ticking can carryLyme disease , anaplasmosis , ehrlichiosis , andRocky Mountain blob fever , and heel can gettapewormsfrom have an infected flea .
If not by rights addressed , fleas on andiron can leap onto other family pets and evenpeople , position them at risk of exposure for illness too .
Are Conventional Flea and Tick Products Safe?
Keeping dog off from grassy and wooded areas where fleas and ticks live is one way to avoid interact with these parasite . There are also instinctive ways to discourage flea and check from finding your yard or home habitable ( more on this to make out ) . Butdogs are gon na dog — snuff around , moil stuff up , act in the weeds , meet other animals — so this plan is n’t unfailing .
A more hardheaded way to protect your pet is to employ products that kill or repel flea and ticks . The American Animal Hospital Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association recommendyear - turn bar . Flea and tick ascendance products for dogs hail in a variety of forms , including oral medications , topicals , collars , and shampoo . Some require a prescription , while others are usable over the rejoinder .
While these products may effectively obliterate or repel fleas and ticks , some dog parent vex about whether the chemicals they check are harmful to their dog , other house pets , or child .
According to the FDA , there have been a limited number of reports of flea and tick intersection in the isoxazoline class of parasiticides being colligate with neurological side effects , such as muscle tremors and seizures , in dogs and cat ( 1 ) . Overall , the FDA still considers these products to be safe for use in most dogs .
Seresto collars made news in 2021after the federal governance examine reports from the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) regarding potential untoward reactions to the collar . Veterinary experts mostly accord that the collars are good when used appropriately . Similarly , while some cad parents might pale at render their pups a cuttable containing an insecticide like fluralaner , the general consensus among veterinarians is that these chewables can be safely used in most pets .
Dr. M. Blake Murray , assistant professor in principal care at the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine and chief of faculty at Banfield Pet Hospital in North Oklahoma City , says he is “ very comfortable with the safety of our currently available prescription medications , ” especially given the outcome of the diseases that flea and tick control products aim to curb .
That does n’t mean there iszerorisk — it means the benefit overbalance the potential risks . “ It would be irresponsible to say that every prescription medication will be 100 pct risk - free for use in every patient role , ” Dr. Murray state . “ Often in medicine we are induce recommendation based on management of risks . ”
Dr. Clay Bernard , a holistic veterinarian in Austin , Texas , says he is n’t against using schematic flea and tick intersection , he just prefers not to use them regularly . “ I ’d rather use these medicinal drug if needed and only a month at a meter , since some pet guardians at last do a heavy caper with environmental management and diligently keeping fleas off their pet , ” Dr. Bernard order .
Does Natural Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs Exist?
With prevention being the full music , it ’s no surprisal that there are mountain of DIY formula and products for pets on the grocery store that arrogate to naturally combat fleas and ticks . You ’ll chance collars , sprays , wipes , and shampoo that swash natural ingredient like essential oils , neem oil , vinegar , and citrous fruit . However , while of the essence oils and neem crude mayhelp , they can’tsolveflea and tick problems . In other words , they help repel pests , not drink down them .
Veterinarians mostly advise against using raw flea and tick repellents made from essential oil or neem as the only means of protection for pet . The effectiveness of these products has not been demonstrate , Dr. Murray adds .
“ There certainly are lots of lifelike flea and check mark repellents on the marketplace , ” he says . “ I make recommendations for my affected role based on equal reviewed studies that judge the guard and efficaciousness of products . Currently , I am unable to discover any such subject field that support the efficacy of natural flea / tick repellent . As such , I can not make a recommendation for a rude repellent and trustfulness that it will work . ”
Before you settle to purchase a natural flea and check collar or whip up a natural flea and ticking nebuliser for firedog , it ’s proficient to talk to your vet first . With all that in mind , here is a closer expression at some unremarkably used innate remedies for fleas and ticks on cad .
Essential Oils
substantive oils , likecitronellaandpeppermint , are a backbone of natural dog flea and check mark collars and natural flea and ticking sprays for dogs . These type of oils may play as repellant by blocking odors that attract louse like flea and ticks , making it harder for them to find their legion ( 2 ) .
There is some science to back up the idea that essential vegetable oil can work as flea and tick repellent . A 2017 work comparing the effectiveness of sure essential oil to that of DEET and permethrin found that “ all oils were get to be more foul than DEET and permethrin , ” with thyme and myrtle oils being the most effective ( 3 ) . However , it ’s important to point out that this study was performed on humans , not dogs . It is also important to note that whilethymeis safe for cad , myrtleis not .
A number of indispensable oils liketea Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree oilcan be toxic to detent and / orcatswhen breathe in or take , especially if they are not thin properly . “ There are cogitation that demonstrate adverse reactions to dearie expose to essential oils , ” Dr. Murray says . He points to one sketch in particular that notice that “ hound and cats can experience significant adverse effects when let on to plant - derived flea preventatives . ” ( 4 )
If you ’re considering purchasing a flea and check mark ware with essential oils , make certain the company is reputable . favored parents should not use essential oils to their pet unless they are working in partnership with a veterinary .
Neem Oil
Perhaps the most talked - about born pest repellent for wiener isneem oil colour , also known as Margosa petroleum . It is a vegetable oil , not an essentialoil . Neem oil is prized for its pestis - repelling qualities in factory farm . People employ it as a hide lotion , and natural - minded pet parent have turn to neem oil to help keep fleas and mosquito away .
Aside from repelling fleas , neem can affect the feeding doings of fleas and disrupt their growing and ontogenesis ( 5 ) .
As with essential oils , neem oil color must be diluted before lotion , so consult with your veterinary surgeon first . When used properly , neem oil can be helpful as a raw alternative to formal products , but it is best when used alongside products that treat the environment ( more on this next ) .
Cedarwood and Diatomaceous Earth
To help keep fleas and ticks at bay , it ’s important to handle your petandtheir indoor and outdoor surroundings . Natural pest control products for the yard and home admit cedarwood and diatomaceous earth .
accord to the USDA , cedarwood can be as efficient as DEET in gross out fleas and tick , without being infer from petroleum ( 6 ) . flea and ticks dislike the smell of cedar , and it ’s non - toxic to dogs and cats . This make cedarwood chips around the yard especially attractive as a repellent .
Food - gradediatomaceous earthis another pop selection for dog parents seeking natural blighter control methods for their homes and yards . It is essentially the powdered remains of fossilized , single - cell algae . It ’s a common all - natural repellent that most insects — peculiarly flea and roach — prefer to continue clear of . It wreak by caking onto the bodies of insects and essentially suffocating them .
Dr. Bernard say diatomaceous earth and good nematodes are secure innate preventatives that are specially troublesome for fleas in their exploitation form . “ Since managing the egg and larval phase in the environment is 95 percent of any flea control regime in high-pitched - burden arena of the country , diatomaceous earth and good nematode are fundamental , ” he says . “ Diatomaceous earth can be equate to shards of glass that lyse ( break down ) the egg and larva as they hatch . roundworm [ used as pesterer ascendance ] are microscopic organisms that live naturally in the soil and provender on the larval and nymph stages of fleas . ”
However , there is no true data showing diatomaceous terra firma is useful for flea control inside the rest home . And when utilize outdoors , diatomaceous earth ( commemorate , it ’s a powder ) can easily be blown or washed away . There ’s also the potential drop for respiratory worry in pets .
“ Diatomaceous dry land itself is not plain toxic to dogs when take , ” Dr. Murray enjoin . “ However , it has the potential to cause ocular or respiratory vexation if applied directly to a pet . If you are going to use it , I would recommend reserving the use of diatomaceous earth to the environment when pet are n’t present . ”
Safety and Things to Consider
While there is a bevy of natural choice to traditional flea and tick control intersection for dogs , the potency of these products is confutable and , if misused , these products can be harmful to your firedog . all important oils can irritate your dog ’s skin and some oils can be toxic if ingested when your dog is groom themselves .
Veterinarians generally advocate that natural flea and tick alternative for andiron be used in conjunction with established method acting of parasite control . Always talk to your vet before give anything new to your dog ’s skin or pelt .
One good and effective method acting to check for flea and check is aflea comb . Flea comb will catch on ticks and outdo up flea ballock in your dog ’s fur . Dr. Bernard recommend using a flea comb two or three times a week .
If you find fleas , flea dirt , orflea eggson your dog , your vet will advise on next steps . And if you bump a tick on your domestic dog , learn how to safely remove itor have your veterinarian do it .
As with anything relate to your dog ’s health , speak to a veterinary surgeon first is always good practice before you adjudicate on a course of activeness .
