Maybe you’ve been worried about giving these drugs because you’ve read some of the side effects that can happen.
Newer conventional products use drugs that are neurotoxins, which are supposed to only affect the arthropods, or insects, and not your pets.
However, as we see more and more cases of pets developing side effects like tremors, seizures, and even liver failure, it’s time to start questioning whether these are the best option to keep our pets safe long-term.
Whether you’re in a flea and tick endemic area or you’re looking for more natural options, I’m going to give you some easy tools and natural remedies that you can start using today to help keep your pets safe and healthy while repelling those nasty fleas and ticks.
When you’re looking at how you can repel fleas and ticks on your pets, it’s easiest to break it down into three categories of natural pet health.
Your pet’s immune health is important so that if a flea or tick bites them, they have the necessary tools to prevent infections. Also, the healthier they are, the less likely insects will want to bite them.
So, how do you support optimal immune health?
First, feeding your pets a species-appropriate whole-food diet is essential. Make sure to check out our other blog posts to learn more about how you can start doing this with your pets right now.
Second, adding in freshly minced garlic acts as a natural dewormer, insect repellant, and provides additional antioxidants to support your dog’s optimal health.
Yup, garlic can be healthy for your pet – it’s not toxic.
The safe, healthy dose for your dogs is 1/4 tsp per 15 lbs per day, and you’ll want to use freshly minced garlic for the full benefits.
Another option to help support your pet’s overall health is to add in local raw honey.
If you also have an itchy dog or cat, this is a great natural allergy remedy too.
The dose you want to start with is 1/2 tsp per 15 lbs per day, and shop those local farmer’s markets to get some of the best local honey while supporting local businesses.
The second category is all about how to support natural detox in your dogs and cats.
Here are a few simple ways to do this:
Here is a safe recommendation for your pet:
Wondercide products have everything from shampoo to treating your environment with safe, natural essential oils that repel insects while keeping your pets safe and healthy.
Unfortunately, we live in a toxic world, but you can help support your pet’s detox pathways by using natural remedies.
Here are a few holistic pet supplements you can start using today to help your pet detox better:
To learn more head to our blog post on how to support your pet holistically.
And the final category is environmental control.
By using plants and other natural remedies like essential oils, you can make the environment less suitable for fleas and ticks.
Natural repellants are a great way to keep these pesky insects away. There are numerous products that are safe for your pets and can also be used in the environment.
Wondercide products are once again a great option for using topically on your pets, but they also have environmental sprays to treat your yard.
And what about using plants in the garden or on the patio?
Plants are a great way to naturally repel insects.
By planting lemongrass, rosemary, thyme, citronella, sage and geranium around your garden and on your patio, these plants have natural insect repelling properties.
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is another safe alternative insect repellant.
DE is actually a desiccant and works by drying out the exoskeleton of the insects and will kill them versus just repelling. So this natural remedy is mechanical and not toxic like many of the conventional flea and tick pesticides.
By sprinkling this around the yard, in the corners of the house, or even through the carpet, you’ll be able to help get rid of fleas. Some pet parents will also sprinkle this through their pet’s fur coat.
If you have a pet with itchy skin, be careful with this, because it is very drying and can be irritating to your pet’s skin.
If you want to use DE topically on your pet, sprinkle it through their fur, let it sit for an hour, and then bathe them. Sudsing up your pet with the water from the bath will help kill any fleas that may be present on them.
Be careful with breathing this powder in or your pets breathing it in since it’s a respiratory irritant. And make sure to use the food-grade option.
Another great option is to use essential oils.
Just like planting insect-repelling plants in the garden, you can use those same plants but in essential oil form.
However, many pet parents are worried about using essential oils in their pets.
Don’t worry!
Essential oils can be a safe and effective way to repel insects when they are used appropriately. Make sure to read our previous blog post on How to Use Essential Oils Safely in Dogs and Cats.
Here are safe essential oils for flea and tick repellants in dogs:
Other essential oils for fleas in dogs and cats include:
Make sure to ask your veterinarian or work with a specialist if you’re concerned about using oils properly in your dogs and cats.
Remember cats can be more sensitive, but when essential oils are used right, they can be very powerful at healing and helping with repelling fleas and ticks.
You can find the essential oils I use and recommend by clicking here.
When you combine plants with many of these other treatments, you’ll be able to avoid the worrisome toxic conventional flea and tick medications keeping your pet safe and healthy.
2. Inquire about our Healthy Holistic Pet For Life Blueprint program for even more guidance with your pets.
You may be spending hours and hours researching what is the best way to raise your puppy and other fur family and feeling lost, stuck and confused on what is the best path forward. Many pets are developing diseases early in life that are expensive, shortening their lives and are stressful for pet parents to endure watching their pets not feel well. We’ve created a program that guides you through the 5 pillars of health to help you gain confidence in the essential areas of pet health that will help reduce disease from occurring, keep your pets healthy and happy, reduce vet bills and help you feel empowered and confident as a pet parent to tackle anything. The best part is you gain access to an incredible world-wide community of pet parents and weekly 2-hour Q&A’s with Dr. Katie to gain further clarification and get your questions answered. If you’d like to learn more, make sure to apply with us here: Healthy Holistic Pet For Life Application
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