While there are plenty of commercial products to get rid of fleas, there are also plenty of home remedies for fleas that work just as well.
In general, commercial products are safe and work well. But some dogs may experience an allergic reaction to chemicals found in those products.
Another common side effect, especially in young puppies, is a weakend immune system.
Home remedies for fleas, on the other hand, are a lot safer and will cost less too.
p>Before I show you some home flea remedies, let's take a closer look at fleas and then go over some general guidelines to make your home unattractive to fleas…A flea is an external parasite that lives off blood of its host. In most cases, fleas are just a nuisance, but some animals and people (yes, fleas can be a problem for humans too!) suffer allergic reaction to flea saliva.
Fleas are excellent jumpers and can easily attach themselves to your pet, even when he is not stationary. Fleas don't actually live on dogs -– they just hop on when they are hungry.
Have you ever seen a dog violently scratching or biting himself? Most likely it's a reaction to a flea bite.
There is another way how you can detect flea presence in your dog…
Stand your dog on a white towel and run a comb through his hair. If small dark flecks fall off, wet them and see if they turn red. If they do, they are what's called flea dirt – dried up blood and flea excrement.
When dog owners think of home remedies for fleas, they immediately think of products they can use on their pet. But fleas can be anywhere – inside your house, your backyard, etc.
To keep your pet free of fleas, make your home "unattractive" to fleas.
Start off by thoroughly vacuuming your carpets and rugs (steam cleaning is even better). Apply a flea-control product in such areas as…
Along the baseboardsAround the perimeter of your houseUnder the deckInside your carDoghouse / kennel
Products that contain pyrethrin or andpyrethroid, such as Bio Spot Carpet Powder, are the safest because they act fast but don't remain in the environment for too long.
Fleas like hot, humid, and moist environments, so try to keep areas where your dog likes to play dry. Clean your yard off leaves and other debris. Don't let the grass grow too tall.
A lot of people don't want to use commercially available chemicals around their homes and on their pets. They prefer natural flea control methods.
The reason?
There are actually 2 reasons. These products can be quite expensive. They also introduce toxic compounds to your household.
The following home remedies for fleas are cheap and safe…
Non-toxic powders that contain borax or diatomaceous earth kill fleas. Sprinkle some on your carpets, rugs, along baseboards, etc. Wash your dog with non-toxic shampoos formulated to kill fleas. Look for any shampoo that contains Pyrethrin.
It also ends snarls and tangles, and leaves pet smelling fresh and sweet.
(OK, it's not really a "home remedy", but it works!)
There is no scientific proof that this home remedy for fleas works, but a lot of dog owners feel that adding some Brewer's Yeast to their dogs' diet keeps fleas away. Try it.I read that cedar chips will repel not only fleas but also ticks and ants. Put some chips around dog's bed, in his doghouse, etc.Periodically wash your dog's bedding in hot water.
Finally, here is one of my favorite home remedies for fleas…
Researchers at the University of Florida in Gainesville have found that Avon's Skin-So-Soft, a bath oil, is an excellent flea repellant. Soak your dog with a solution of 1 1/2 ounces of Skin-So-Soft to a gallon of water. In tests, flea counts dropped 40 percent in just one day.
Many dog owners have used the above home remedies for fleas with great success.
Try some of them for yourself and you may be able to get rid of fleas on your dog, as well as in your home, without resorting to products containing dangerous chemicals. And in the process, you will save some money too!
If you feel home remedies for fleas are not strong enough and would like to find out more about commercially available flea medicines, their safety and track records, visit flea medicine page.
Many veterinarians feel that natural medicine can compliment conventional veterinary care and in many cases do just as well. Visit holistic pet medicine to learn more about natural treatments for pets.
As a dog owner, you are responsible for your puppy's health. A good source for dog health information, including puppy care and preventive medicine, how to protect your pet from worms and ticks, dog food, and how to recognize if your pet needs immediate medical attention, is the Ultimate Guide to Dog Health.
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Return from Home Remedies for Fleas to Puppy CareReturn from Home Remedies for Fleas to Puppy Training HomeI hope you will find this information useful and it helps you to recognize some common dog health problems your pet may be experiencing. However, if you suspect your pet is ill, immediately contact your veterinarian. He or she will be able to help you decide the best course of action when it comes to caring for your pet.
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