Natural Flea Control
(Page 4 of 5)
May/June 1985
By Christine Makowski, D.V.M.
You may have noticed that some animals seem always to be infested with parasite — fleas, worms, ticks, etc .— while others (even in the same household) have only occasional and relatively minor problems. The reason for this can often be found by comparing the general health of the animals' skins. Skin is the fastest-growing organ of an animal's body, with the outer layer of cells being replaced every three weeks. Optimum nutrition is essential for healthy skin; if your pet is not properly nourished, the skin will be the first area of its body to exhibit problems.
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Dry, unhealthy skin causes itching, as well as more severe reactions to fleabites, the skin sometimes actually falls apart and bleeds. In such cases, the fleas have a picnic. They don't have to work (that is, chew) to extract their measure of blood, and so appear in huge numbers. If this happens to your pet, it's important to realize that the fleas didn't cause the skin ailments, they only worsened a previously existing situation. With this in mind, I've solved the flea and skin problems of numerous dogs and cats simply by improving their diets.
In addition to proper food, frequent grooming is essential to keep fleas away from your pet. Shampooing with a mild organic lotion soap will kill many fleas by drowning. Afterward, a lemon rinse will tone the cleansed skin, leaving a residual citrus odor that will help repel fleas for a while.
To make such a rinse, slice one whole lemon and drop the slices (peel and all) into a pint of very hot water. Allow the lemonwater to steep overnight, then remove the pulp by filtering or straining. Sponge the lemon rinse onto your pet's skin and allow it to air-dry (don't towel). This treatment is nontoxic and can be repeated daily until the skin condition improves.
There are several herbal sprays, shampoos and flea collars whose odors repel fleas. Citronella, rosemary and wormwood, which are the most common ingredients in these natural treatments, can be found at health food stores and lawn-and-garden shops (or ask your veterinarian). If you'd like to go the budget route, simply purchase dried herbs and make your own flea repellents. All of these herbs are nontoxic and can be used daily. (Caution: Any time you use a flea repellent, natural or otherwise, be sure to put the treated pet outside for a few hours so that the fleas won't reinfest your home as they abandon ship!)
A CLOVE A DAY KEEPS THE FLEAS AWAY
Many dogs and cats seem to benefit in the fight against fleas from the addition of garlic and brewer's yeast to their diets. When these substances are metabolized, an odor (and flavor) that fleas find very unattractive develops in the skin.
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