Got fleas? And got chemicals?

…and got some pets who decide to lure them into your home on a regular basis? I don’t know about you, but I find myself always battling against these pesky parasites, believing for a short while that I’ve won the war – only to discover that I’m sadly mistaken. There’s my dog, chewing at his hair again, and oh! My cat is ferociously pawing at herself. Heck, even I’M starting to itch!

Flea collars. Flea sprays. Flea dips and baths and pills. There are so many products available to us to combat these mini mites but none seem to offer long-term results. Not only that, but as Neil Liquorman describes it in his article “Keep Fleas Off” we are literally waging “chemical warfare” against our pets within our very own homes! The chemicals contained in these products are not only unsafe for our beloved animals, but they are also unsafe for our families too. I know I’m not willing to live with the itching and the scratching forever; that is when I went to work on checking into natural flea remedies that won’t be harming my pets or my family.

Brewer’s Yeast

Brewer’s yeast excretes a scent that fleas find rather unattractive and unappetizing. Adding some Brewer’s yeast to your cat and/or dog’s food can deter those fleas from wanting to nestle into his or her coat, much like the prescription dog and cat meds that your veterinarian prescribes.

The general dosage for dogs is ½ a teaspoon per 10 pounds, and for cats it is 1 teaspoon per day. Be sure to check with your veterinarian first for any dosage recommendations.

Lavender Essential Oil

After your pooch or kitty’s bath, towel-dry them thoroughly and add a few drops of lavender essential oil around both their neck and the base of their tail. This should help keep those fleas at bay.

Home-made Herbal Flea Powder

There are a number of natural flea powders on the market, but if you already have some powdered herbs at home you can try to make your own. To make the flea powder, gather these ingredients (or as many as you have at hand) and mix them together in equal parts:

• Rue
• Wormwood
• Eucalyptus
• Rosemary
• Fennel
• Yellow Dock

Put the powder in a container with a shaker top, and apply it sparingly throughout your pet’s coat (you can either comb it through or use your hand). Be sure to apply it to the back of the neck, base of his or her tail, and the belly and take care to keep the powder out of your pet’s eye.

NOTE: If you have any fresh rosemary on hand too, you can make a rosemary flea dip for your pet. Steep two cups of fresh rosemary in boiling hot water for about half an hour. After straining the liquid, add lukewarm water to the mixture (the amount of water depends on the size of your pet) and pour it over your pet. Allow him or her to dry naturally.

I hope that these quick and healthy solutions help you win that war against those maddening fleas. Battle on, brave pet owner!

photo by Vannie