★★★★★
For dogs with any nervous or stress related condition, including fleas, rub one drop lavender on pads of each foot or rub a drop on ears. They calm down, stop licking and scratching.. And sleep. (Do not use cheap scented perfume oils, these are toxic! Only good quality essential oils.) Some oils actually repel fleas and ticks. Don't use too much, they are potent and dogs don't like strong odors.
Diatomaceous Earth
★★★★★
I treated a flea infestation using diatomaceous earth. I sprinkled all it liberally over the cats regularly (once a day), and used a fine sieve and sprinkled it all over my floors - carpeted and wooden and tiles - and left it to sit for a week. I vacuumed it up and then treated it again to be certain. It cleared up a really bad flea infestation really well.
Outdoor Flea Treatments
Hello Carol,
Artemisia Combination from Nature's Sunshine will make your dogs bodies an extremely unfriendly environment for fleas. I've been using it for my 4 Boston Terriers and haven't seen fleas for 2 years. I split one capsule between them once a month in winter and once a week during the warm months.
Outdoor Flea Treatments
Hey Carol!
It sounds like the fleas in your area have developed a resistance to Trifexis; since the product is not working on the fleas, you might want to discontinue using it on your pets.
There are many all natural products on the market for flea control for large areas; consider cedar granules, or sprays made from cinnamon oil, cedar oil or clove oil. These sprays and cedar granules are very effective but need to be regularly re-applied. I would also consider predatory nematodes/beneficial nematodes. I don't know if these products fit into your budget, but you can also make up these sprays yourself if you google for instructions. Diatomaceous earth is very affordable IMHO but I would not use diatomaceous earth in the outdoors myself because it could potentially impact and kill off the good bugs like honey bees.
Do a google search for: "all natural Flea Free"; cedarcide; beneficial nematode; homemade natural flea spray; etc. - and you will find many products and helpful information to control fleas in your yard.
Outdoor Flea Treatments
Hi Carol, Diatomaceous Earth, which you can buy at garden supply shops and online, is a great remedy to use outside for flea control. You'd need to look up directions on how to apply in the yard for fleas, but I lightly dust for food grade DE on all our pets around their tails and along the spine every few days. It's fabulous flea control remedy.
Outdoor Flea Treatments
Spray a solution of white vinegar and water on dogs you will soon get rid of the fleas as they won't be able to feed of the dogs . It works and very cheap but don't spray near dogs eyes.
Outdoor Flea Treatments
My two dogs are loaded with fleas; had them on trifecta's and still have fleas. Can I put sulfur granules in my yard? I have 1 acre and a quarter size yard; need something inexpensive and that will work
★★★★★
Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth is the best thing invented!!!!!!
I had a bed bug problem and tried everything. I have kids so I had to keep sleeping in my bed or risk bedbugs following me to their room. A real horror story until I found out about food grade Diatomaceous earth and tried it. There gone! I put it everywhere in the electrical sockets and to this day their still gone! I recently had a little flea problem and now mix some of the earth into my dog food and dust the dogs to keep the fleas off. My sister in NY had bedbugs I sent her some earth and it worked on her house too! I purchase a 5lb bag a year ago when I had the bedbugs and I still have 3/4 of the bag left since it doesnt take much when applying. When I first found a bedbug I called an exterminator and he quoted me at $450 to treat and that he would come back as often I needed. Once it took me 1-2 weeks to figure it all out and I invited him back he was astonished and asked me what I used ;)
Before you put pesticides and pay those high bills try it. I went a little crazy by applying it while opening all windows. Once I sprinkled everywhere with a mask on I vaccumed and put on baseboards ...etc . amen they're gone. I still apply the earth underneath bed and places you can't see just for peace of mind. I hope this helps someone.
Borax
Hey Linda!
Borax from the laundry aisle will work on roaches, as will diatomaceous earth. However consider doing a google search for "mason jar roach trap" or check out this video on how to make an effective trap at home:
Borate Powder
Hey Linda!
Borate powder could be boric acid powder, could be powdered borax..
You can get the boric acid from your pharmacy, and the borax from the laundry aisle.
Borax
Borate Powder
Ted's Mange Cure
I remember this remedy from my grandparents, what a great idea. I'm going to try this again, I had forgotten all about this. Thank you.
Ted's Mange Cure
Hey Lyndy!
The mange remedy will kill fleas on your dog during the dipping process, but you will also need to eliminate fleas in your pet's environment as well. If you are infested in the house, you might try a simple flea trap using a small lamp placed on the floor over a white tray or white plate filled with dish soapy water. Leave on over night and check for fleas in the morning. This trap is very effective at removing adult fleas and when used regularly can remove all the fleas from your home -and thus avoid reinfesting your dog.
Ted's Mange Cure Essential Oils
SOME essential oils can be toxic to CATS, but not all, and most are fine for use with dogs.
Borax
I have recently learned of using Borax to get rid of fleas and I am wondering if it is safe to make a spray with the Borax to use on our cats? If so, how much Borax should I mix to the water? Thanks for your help!
Cedar is toxic for all animals - including humans. Breathing in the scent can cause/trigger asthma, Upper Respiratory problems, and more. It is especially toxic to cats. It is sold as litter and bedding - but SHOULDN'T be. It is commonly used for rodents for bedding. Those rodents live roughly HALF as long - as rodents who are not bedded on Cedar. All soft woods emit toxic chemicals in their essential oils. If you can smell the wood aroma - it is toxic. (Including Feline Pine Litter - which HAS killed some cats.) ALL essential oils are toxic to cats - to varying degrees. Cedar and Tea Tree Oils are ESPECIALLY toxic. If you research this info on the internet - it's hard to find - but it's there! (eg. search "Toxic effect of Cedar" or "softwoods" et al.
Jackie
Flowers of Sulphur
★★★★★
No need to use essential oils on pets, no need to risk it. Flowers of Sulphur is an excellent ancient remedy which is very cheap and easy to use. It is actually very healing for the skin, never harmful, just the opposite (good for so many ailments, worth googling).
Sprinkle it with a flour sprinkler on floors, bedding, pets, repeat as necessary.
We had a very warm spring/ summer in UK this year and I had fleas first time ever on my house cats and it quickly turned into a huge house infestation! However, FOS seemed to have worked immediately, eased the itch as well. I happened to have FOS at home as my husband uses it for his psoriasis.
I hope it helps, I was devastated when I realised the scale of infestation but after a thorough vacuuming (vacuum some FOS to kill the ones in the bag) and sprinkling all seems to be fine now.
I also put a piece of amethyst in their water bowl as I like the sound of it :)
The vets prescribe very dangerous chemicals, which are proven to contribute to feline cancer.
Best wishes everyone.
Flea Medication Side Effects
Hi Theresa,
Thanks for responding. Right after I posted the question I started reading some of the other posts with similar issues. I was very surprised to repeatedly see apple cider vinegar as an option. Just so happened I had a bottle. Since it was 1 am and I couldn't go shopping for an alternative, I figured what the heck! Well, it worked surprisingly well I'm happy to say. I just need to keep up with the applications. I let a few days go by and she started in on her leg again. With all the healing sores and this new one she looks like she was attacked by wild animals. So that's the story I'm rolling with, I believe it was a bear! Ha. She seems to like this scenario better than the truth.
As for the 600.00 vet bill, I received for my dog, 2 fabulous trips to the vet, a fun an exciting ear culture, accompanied by 2, yes 2, types of drops for her ears and last but certainly not least, a brand new bottle of exotic ear wash. It hurts less if I laugh!
Many blessings, Teri
p.s. I also started her on probiotics, will keep you posted. Seems to be working.
Flea Medication Side Effects
Have fed Wysong foods with tons of fresh and thankfully, no fleas. Have used Cedarcide spot on with great results occasionally.
Flea Medication Side Effects
Hey Teri!
I am curious as to what your $600+ vet bill bought you - could you share? And is your dog an indoor or outdoor dog? If she is an outdoor dog please consider bringing her indoors as this will greatly reduce the opportunity for her to be bit by so many insects. If she is an indoor dog and still flea infested, please consider using a flea trap to reduce your indoor population of fleas.
While the fleas may have bitten your dog on the legs, it is not a typical place for fleas to feed; think root of the tail, or around the neck. I wonder if your dog doesn't have a staph infection on her legs; you might try Ted's Anti-fungal/Anti-staph rinse for her to see if that brings her relief. You might also consider alkalizing for her; this helps balance her PH making her less appetizing to fleas and other biting insects. You can start off with a crisis dose of 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda into 1 liter of water and have this be her only drinking water for 5 days; after that drop the dose down to 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda into a liter of water as a maintenance dose.
Good luck and please report back!
Flea Medication Side Effects
Put white vinegar in spray bottle and spray dog every day, fleas will die but be careful of dog's eyes
Flea Medication Side Effects
My 12 year old Lab is going crazy chewing at her legs until they bleed. This stems from flea and or other insect bites. Is is possible the topical flea meds. I give her monthly are no longer working? She just had the last application no more than 2 weeks ago and I found a flea on her just yesterday. They really do not seem to alleviate the flea issues any longer. The problem has gotten progressively worse. Is there a natural, perhaps better remedy I might try? I have resisted taking her to the vet because my last visit was upwards of 600.00, ridiculous in my estimation. So anything you might suggest would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you, Teri
Hey Letitia!
Thank you for sharing your experience with Trifexis. As you say, not everything gets listed on the label, so thank you for providing details on this side effect of incontinence in your dog.
I did a google search with "trifexis side effects urination" and quickly found a forum where another experienced urinary issues with their dog not concentrating the urine; when taken off the Trifexis the problem resolved.
Thanks again for sharing your knowledge!
Flea Medication Side Effects
My dog was treated for a bad flea allergy with a shot of steroids to help reduce the itchiness. She had a heartworm test, and the vet suggested putting her on Trefexis because it kills fleas (Frontline had become less effective) and because the coyotes are a vector for heartworms which they picked up after rescue dogs from the South (with heartworms) came to SoCal after Katrina.
The alternative -- to not give her the Trefexis -- seemed a bad choice after her terrible flea allergy and her suffering. So ate the Trefexis and did not throw up (I gave it with a good meal), and I've been giving her the step-down dose of steroids every day as directed.
Within 24 hours, I noticed small wet spots on the carpet. They are showing up where the dog has been sitting or lying down for awhile, so I don't think she is actually intentionally urinating; I have never seen her squat in the house and she's a well-behaved, house-broken dog. So I'm sure she's a bit incontinent.
I assumed it was the Trefexis, because I've given other dogs steroids in the past, and never had incontinence show up as an issue.
I've seen posts by other owners, and several people reported incontinence as a side effect of Trefexis. I don't remember seeing that as one of the potential side effects when I read the pamphlet before agreeing to give Trefexis, but having been in human drug trails myself, I KNOW that not all the side effects that participants report get listed on the package and label.
★★★★★
I found one of the very best inexpensive tick and flea repellents. I put small amount of peppermint oil and part lemon juice and the rest with water. All this summer we had absolutely no ticks/fleas or anything. I sometimes spray right quick around the area where they go out to go to the bathroom, but as long as they are covered not important to spray outside.
Dish Soap and Lamp Method
★★★★★
I was really surprised to have a FLEA TRAP I learned about on this website work GREAT! Those critters die EASILY in just a little bit of soapy water! I set up a flat dish with HOT water and a few drops of dish soap then arranged for a hot desk lamp to stay focused over the soapy water and all other lights in this attic room OUT. In the morning the plate was SO FULL OF DEAD FLEAS I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT! I did it two more nights and then NOTHING. THANK YOU EARTH CLINIC! You just want the room to be quiet and uninhabited while you do this of course so the light also can't be knocked over because the plate really needs to be on the FLOOR.
Amethyst
I spoke with a witchy healer I know and she said the same; recharge the stones. It may be that the cases where the stones did not work at all simply needed to be charged before use!
Amethyst
For those trying the amethyst just in case this might apply, in using stones to help in healing, every so often you have to recharge the stone, to do so set it outside all night in a full moon. Myself I don't understand it all but the moon has been proven to be like a strong magnet. The energy in stones can become depleted so give it a try won't cost you anything but the time to walk outside.
NexGard
Hey Deb!
Om posted an excellent reply - re: Activated charcoal and Essiac tea to clean out the blood. I would also try to get him to take in as much liquid as possible to flush the chemicals out. In addition I would bathe your dog to remove as much of the topical as you can.
Also, since you have a senior with these symptoms you may wish to return to the vet and run a blood panel to rule out any complications with the liver or kidneys. The sooner you catch these things the better.
NexGard
Deb from Roseville. Mi --- as you may see in one post of mine below, natural orange cleaner which is essential oil of orange, kills even mites and is good for the coat. If it was my dog, I would not pay for poisons for fleas. Perhaps you may want to use charcoal or ESSIAC to clean out the poison now in the blood.
Namaste, Om
NexGard
Our 12 yo lab/pit mix is having side affects from the use of NexGard Flea and Tick treatment. He is in very good health as a rule . He had a vet check about a month ago. All was fine. Since giving him the flea mess we have noticed a loss of appetite, lethargy and dry flaky skin. This is by no means the norm for our baby. How long will this last? Are there any natural alternatives for flea and tick control. Seeing our dog like this is heartbreaking ...
The dawn works great, but only kills the fleas not the eggs. The avon stuff kills the fleas but not the eggs .I have found that rubbing alcohol 90 percent in a spray bottal kills fleas dead and can be gotten at any drug store or walmart store and has no side effect or won't hang around long. Can be sprayed on bedding, floors, your body, and sprayed and rubbed in on your pet as long as you stay away from their head and face
Dish Soap
Use conditioner just a little, the fleas will come right off. My dogs shake them off in the tub.
Amethyst
★★★★★
I have successfully treated my home for fleas but every time we went out in neighborhood, new flees to comb out. I put amethyst in water dish, first 1-2 months no change. After 3 mo. No new fleas, skeptical, since winter is low flea time anyway. Now warm flea weather is here & still no new fleas. When I use flea comb also NONE on her at bath time. Fantastic results, just took time for her VIBRATIONS to match the amethyst. We will see as summers flea season builds but normally by now, 80 degree weather, we would have a problem. Love nature.
Garlic
Hey Mark! Check it out: Https://www.sojos.com/learn/articles/pet-mythbusters-5-pet-food-myths Http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1677&aid=2414 I have used powdered garlic in home made food for my dogs with no ill effects. While garlic may be toxic to dogs in large quantities, the health benefits of garlic in small quantities is widely proven. Http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.com/2012/06/garlic-for-dogs-health-benefits.html
Garlic
Facts: The primary toxic ingredient in garlic and onions is n-propyl disulfide, an oxidant. [Other toxins are S-methylcysteine sulfoxide, methyl disulfide, and allyl disulfide]. Compared to humans, dogs and cats are more sensitive to “oxidative damage” on their red blood cells. Dogs have more “areas” on their red blood cells that oxidizing agents such as n-propyl disulfide can attach to. This attachment is recognized by the body as a foreign invader, and in the attempt to remove this invader, the body also destroys the red blood cell. This is called “hemolysis” – the breaking down of the red blood cells. Garlic is more toxic than onions – with raw garlic, toxic ingestion is around 1 gram per pound, and with onions it is 1 gram per 5 pounds. To put this into perspective, if you feed 50 cloves of garlic to your pet in one sitting you will induce hemolytic anemia in your pet.
Garlic
Please provide evidence for your claims, garlic is widely used by dog owners with no negative outcomes, the warning against garlic only seems to benefit profit hungry vets.
Banana Peels
★★★★★
Banana Peels also seemed to help as well as putting a bowl of water in each room with a night light (fleas would jump in and drown)…Also Ants came into the house and I realized they were hunting and harvesting flea larva or cocoons in-between floor boards or in rugs and taking them back out to their nest… Great thing that nature helped us! We also tried amethyst and we also used masking tape to capture any flea that hopped on to us. Religious combing of both our cats in morning and evening and cat baths too…. Also vacuuming… First infestation ever and boy was it a horrible long experience… But banana peels really did seem to be the turning point for us….
Diet
A year ago. I feed my 2 dogs tons of food grade diatomaceous earth for 2 months. I have seen how they detox. I mean at some point I can see a piece of leather(I don't know how to explain in other words.) will fall off from their skin. and I saw some gunk in their stool. And then I noticed after 2 months both dogs are alot calm. one of my dogs used to chase his tail alot. Guess what? comepletely stopped. After this experience. I give my dogs DE at least once a week. Other supplements are extremly difficult to feed them. I just mix big 2 table spoon with organice whole milk. They absolutely love it!
I rub into their ears too. this will go to their internal and also kills the bugs. I highly recommend DE for anyone who has pet. It is a must!
Amethyst
Hey Savanna!
Sue posted in June, so in case she doesn't see your request I will offer some advice.
Amethyst comes in different grades, the highest being a jewelry grade with the deep purple color and clear with no milkiness in the stone. All grades of amethyst *should* work for repelling fleas. That said, out of the responses in this topic I counted 13 - including you - who have tried the remedy; it worked for 8 folks, though did seem to wear off on their dog the second year, and for 5 folks it didn't do a darn thing. It doesn't seem to matter if its the 'raw' chunk of crystals or a nicely polished high grade stone. Drat, I say, for those it didn't work for, as it does seem too good to be true to toss a crystal in your pet's water bowl and be able to forget about fleas!
Now, for your kitten - no need to get rid of your cat because of fleas, just give that kitty a bath!
Extensive directions on how to check for fleas and treat your home for fleas as well as bathe your cat are in this post, if you scroll through it until the end [ignore post title, it covers fleas I promise! ]:
https://www.earthclinic.com/pets/ear-problems-in-cats.html#RN
Amethyst
★☆☆☆☆
I just got a Kitten and I might not be able to keep her because the fleas are so bad. My friend tried the amethyst stone but it didn't work, I was thinking it might be because she bought it in the wrong stage. What stage did you get yours in?? I really wanna keep her so if you could get back to me asap or email me that would be great. Thank you.
Diet
Greetings. I am not sure why you are looking for a diet change for your pet for fleas. To rid of the fleas, you should look into FOOD GRADE diatomaceous earth. Do not confuse it with the stuff they use in swimming pools as that one should NOT be ingested.
Food grade diatomaceous earth can be purchased at feed stores. It is considered a natural non-toxic flea control. It works by dehydrating the insects. It is NOT a chemical that poisons. You can rub it into the cat's fur, sprinkle it and rub it into the cat's sleeping areas or on carpets etc. If your cat licks it, it won't harm him as it can also be used directly into their food as a natural de-wormer.
If your cat won't let you rub it into his fur directly, you could sprinkle onto a towel and wrap your cat in the towel, then work into the fur. It can have a drying effect on the skin. Take precautions to not breath in the dust while applying as it is an irritant to the lungs. Good luck and please let us know how you make out.
Diet
I would like a diet change (willing to make it at home) for the allergy and something by mouth (no weird flavors, tried that) to rid him of the fleas. My cat won't let me touch him. He's apparently allergic to fleas. I can't get him to eat any vet prescribed flea pill, nor am I able to put the drops on his neck but one drop at a time while he's eating (this produces issues with his approaching his bowl, if you can imagine!)
I had to "wait " until he was in bad shape to get near him and take him to the vet. He's fine but beginning to scratch again.
I would like a diet change (willing to make it at home) for the allergy and something by mouth (no weird flavors, tried that) to rid him of the fleas. Thanks.
Louise, sulfur might be most effecive as a dusting agent in your yard. It repels fleas and other insect pests. A light dusting in the yard, once every three months, should be effective in keeping fleas away. Because sulfur does not disolve in water it will take quite a while for this to wash away in rain or during watering. You can add it to your pets food in the form of chicken egg, either raw or cooked. Eggs contain beneficial amounts of sulfur. Meat and dairy also contain beneficial amounts of sulfur. Three foods that dogs and cats seem to love by the way. Cheers, Liam
Dish Soap
This is just a hunch--but buy a bottle of Peppermint essential oil. Put a few drops on some cotton balls. Place in a small ramekin or in paper bowls around the house in the corners, under the beds, etc. You can even put some in the air returns (if you have the right kind). It should kill them. It got rid of some pesky bugs we had and they are the toughest to get rid of. I think it will work. Also, there is a pesticide that's natural that contains peppermint oil called EcoSmart or something like that. Good Luck!
Neem Seed Oil
Whole Foods Market may carry it - give them a call:
(423) 702-7300
301 Manufacturers Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37405
If they don't carry it you may be able to find it at your local whole foods co-ops, or stores that carry natural products and essential oils.
A proper flea bath will help the pets, and if the fleas are in your house try a shallow pan like from a microwave meal - white is preferred so the lighter the better - and add to that some dish soap. Put the pan on the floor near a night light or even a desk lamp put on the floor will work. The light emits heat, the fleas are attracted to the heat and the white of the pan, and they will jump in the water. The dish soap dissolves the flea's body oil making them sink and drown. Any dish soap will do, but something like Dawn works really well. The flea traps work best at night, but leave them out all day and check and change often.
Neem Seed Oil
I need to know where to get some of this neem oil??!! I have 2 dogs & one lives n the house & other outside??!! The outside dog comes inside at least once a day, mostly twice a day!! The inside dog goes outside several times a day?! Will this help with my situation & where can I get some! ? HELP HELP FLEAS ARE TAKING OVER MY HOME & MY LIFE
Amethyst
★☆☆☆☆
I tried the amethyst stone in my dog's bowl and my cat's bowl. I've had it in there over a month now and it doesn't work at all. My amethysts are large and still part of the rock itself so I know the quality is good. Time to try something else.
Dish Soap and Lamp Method
Does it work only at night? Or will it work in the day time to? Also can it be any dish soap?
