Fleas and Ticks

While we may not be able to roll back the global warming trend,  there are easier, softer ways to treat parasites, and ways in which we can avoid some of the pests.

A lot of people are reluctant to use chemical flea treatments because of the possibility of a toxic reaction with the skin. “If it isn’t safe for my children, how can it be safe for my pet,” they ask. Unless it is a full blown flea infestation, you may have good results by using gentler and safer methods for flea eradication and control.

Juice ‘Em Away

Fleas are known to be repelled by citrus. A freshly squeezed orange or lemon can be rubbed onto your pet’s fur, with no harm to your pet if it is licked off, and fresh smelling fur to boot.

Rub-a-Dub Tub

Remember the old cartoons where dogs would jump into water to relieve themselves of fleas? Water really does work. Since fleas do not grasp onto the hair shafts, they fall off in the water and drown. A good dip in a tub of water will wash away most, if not all of the fleas on your pet. Using a gentle shampoo, or a little bit of dish liquid, perhaps one with a citrus base (fleas are repelled by lemon and orange), along with thorough and regular brushing, will go a long way toward ridding your pet’s body of fleas.

A Clean Home is a Happy Home

Around the house, vacuuming, laundering, and disinfecting the floors and your pet’s living spaces will help to control the population of fleas (just make sure you do not use products with volcanic organic compounds.  In the yard, you might consider adding a natural predator of fleas. Nematodes are small worms that feed off of flea larva, and are easy to find at garden stores or pet shops. Keep in mind that the type of nematode that is being recommended here is termed a “beneficial” nematode. It is not the type that is known for infecting animals as heartworm.

Blades of Fury

Ticks hang out in tall grass and use the opportunity to grab on to passersby when they feel body warmth. If you are going to be spending time in wooded or grassy areas with your dog, you might want to fashion some cover-up clothing for your dog to avoid ticks. An old t-shirt can be altered to fit your dog’s body, and old socks can be cut to make “leg warmers.” This may not entirely prevent ticks from making their way onto your dog, but it keep most of them off since they have nothing to latch onto, and will slow the rest down so they do not spend as much time on your dog’s skin.

Essential Oils

Because ticks carry dangerous bacteria, repelling them is a priority. One of the natural repellents that a lot of people have success with is rose geranium oil, which can be applied to your dog’s collar. Do NOT use this on your cat, though. They can have a bad reaction to essential oils. With ticks, the best thing you might do it to check your pet a few times a day when you are in an area that has ticks, and remove them promptly. Proper technique is important for removing ticks and fleas, so make sure that you are acquainted before you do it yourself.

Many supermarkets, pet supply stores, online retailers, and veterinarians sell flea and tick products.  It is critical to read the labels and consult with your veterinarian before you use any of these products on your pets. They may contain harmful ingredients.

The main culprits are products that rely on a family of chemicals called organophosphates. One of these, tetrachlorvinphos, is still found in stores. Six others were removed from the market, one by one, from 2000 through 2006: chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, phosmet, naled, diazinon and malathion. Many pet owners may still have leftover supplies of products containing these chemicals in their homes. They were used in brands marketed under a variety of names. Another family of chemicals, called carbamates, is also of potential concern. The two most common carbamate chemicals used in pet products are called carbaryl and propoxur.

As bad as these products may be for pet owners and caregivers, they often are worse for the pets themselves. Based on the very limited data available, it appears that hundreds and probably thousands of pets have been injured or killed through exposure to pet products containing pesticides.

There are healthier alternatives to these types of flea and tick treatments. I will look at some of the alternatives in future posts.

Taking care of your pet involves more than providing nutritious food and adequate shelter.  Protection from flea and tick problems is also an important aspect of pet care. Here is some basic information regarding flea and tick treatments for your pet.

The first and most important step is to speak with your vet about the best way to to protect your pet from fleas and ticks without resorting to chemicals or pesticides. If you need to use a flea and tick treatment, use extra care before applying pesticides on weak, aged, medicated, sick, pregnant, or nursing pets.

If you use a spot-on product such as Frontline Plus on your pet, make sure to read and follow the instructions.  Use flea and tick control products only on the animal specified by the product label – for example, dog products for dogs only and cat products for cats only.

Follow any label prohibitions against use on weak, aged, medicated, sick, pregnant, or nursing pets.  Apply only the appropriate dose for the size of the animal being treated.  That’s why products such as Frontline Plus are so convenient. They come in single size doses based on the size of your pet.  Do not apply to kittens or puppies unless the product label specifically allows this treatment.

Monitor your pet for side effects or signs of sensitivity after applying the product, particularly when using the product on your pet for the first time. Do not apply spot-ons to pets known to be sensitive to pesticide products.  If your pet experiences an adverse reaction, immediately bathe the pet with mild soap and rinse with large amounts of water.

Keep the package with the product container (such as individual applicator tubes).  Also keep the package after treatment in case adverse effects occur. You will want to have the instructions at hand, as well as contact information for the manufacturer.

Taking care of your pets is a very important job. Well, it’s not really a job when they are your family. It is however important. Finding the right product to get rid of fleas and ticks is not easy. There are many companies that make products for your pets. Each one says it has the best formula to rid your cat of fleas. But which one really is the best? My goal for this blog is to have a place to exchange ideas and experiences with various flea and tick treatments.