There are many options available, but how can you figure out the
best way to get rid of fleas for
your pet? When choosing a treatment for your pet, consider how
it’s administered, the treatment’s effectiveness, and any
potential side effects that can occur. Of course, your vet is a
great resource for determining how to get fleas off your pet. You
may find that using a combination of treatments is necessary to
completely eliminate fleas from your pet. One important caution:
Whatever products and methods you select, be sure to only give cat medication to
cats, and dog treatments to dogs. Doing otherwise is
potentially very harmful to pets.
Flea Pills and Orals
There are several types of flea pills for dogs available that work to treat fleas—some pills target the flea eggs and others work by attacking adult fleas. In many cases, your pet will require several pills in order to destroy the life cycle.
Pills are generally not suitable for very young pets and can cause side effects. Some pills may require a trip to the veterinarian, too. If it’s a struggle to get your pet to swallow pills, even when they are given with food, pills might not be a workable option, though there are products like Pill Pockets that make giving pills easier. Some oral flea treatments, like Comfortis, come in chewable form too.
While pills are one of the more effective ways to eradicate fleas, the potential side effects and visit to the veterinarian for prescription versions may be marks against this option.
Shampoos
Flea shampoos are very effective when used in conjunction with pills or other treatments. On their own, however, shampoos are not a lasting method and only destroy adult fleas for about a day.
Cats and dogs can both be shampooed, but different shampoo varieties are used for each animal. One important factor for deciding if the shampoo is the right method for your pet is the amount of distaste your cat or dog has for bath time. Since the shampoo has to sit on your pet for around 10 minutes, it won’t be a quick dunk in the tub for your cat or dog.
Flea Collars
Choose flea collars carefully. Collars can work in two different ways, but the most effective variety releases chemicals into your cat or dog's skin. Flea collars kill adult fleas and ticks. Some pets will develop a rash by the collar. Sometimes, fleas will continue to bite pets, just not near their heads. Flea collars like Seresto, which distribute active ingredients through the pet's skin, are more effective at full-body treatment. Flea collars are mainly effective as a preventative, and less effective as a treatment method. Collars cannot be used on puppies and kittens.
Flea Dips
Lasting for two to three weeks, flea dips are a strong chemical treatment. Because dips linger on your pet’s skin, they have fallen out of favor as a preferred treatment for many pet parents, since cats and dogs may lick their skin and ingest insecticides.
Flea Powder
These treatments last for up to a week and can kill adult fleas as well as repel them. Sprays and powders are suitable for both cats and dogs. To apply the treatment, pets will have to be held still while their eyes are covered. Note that the odor may be unpleasant.
Spot-On Treatments
Lasting about a month, spot-on treatments are applied to your pet's back between the shoulder blades. Spot on flea treatments is capable of disrupting the flea's life cycle, although they have to be reapplied on a monthly basis. When applied regularly and on schedule, this treatment method is quite effective.
Environmental Treatments
While it is difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of non-chemical solutions, flea combs are definitely effective at removing the fleas living on your pet. Note that many essential oils are quite dangerous for pets, so steer away from using them unless a veterinarian or trusted medical resource okays the usage.
Natural Flea Treatment for Your Home and Pet
For some, alternative or “green” flea and tick treatments are a no-brainer. Fewer chemicals in our environment - both personal and global - are a great thing. It’s also nice to support companies who work to meet the growing needs of a more ecologically aware citizenry. For some, choosing the greener alternative is already a way of life. For others, circumstances demand alternatives.
When To Use Alternative Flea & Tick Methods
If, for example, you have a toddler who’s very handsy with your pet, or if your pet has debilitating allergic reactions to common flea and tick treatments, other options may be necessary. Happily, there are several treatments that, when used properly and in conjunction with one another, can be both effective and safe. Across the board, alternative treatments require more time and diligence than set-it-and-forget-it once monthly spot-on treatments.
Consider Your Options
When utilizing non-chemical flea and tick treatments, the benefits need to be weighed. Using only natural insect repellents may make for a safer pet and home in some ways. However, if an infestation does occur, you may find yourself in a position where you must delouse your home. Preventative treatments are less toxic and less pervasive than post-infestation treatments like, say, fumigation. You may find yourself in an ultimately more toxic situation, so take care when making decisions about preventative flea and tick treatments.
Shampoos
Look for an herbal flea & tick shampoo that contains any combination of natural insect repellents like pine cedar, bergamot, rosemary, clove oil, lavender, eucalyptus, citronella, juniper, or geranium. When shampooing your pet, use lots of the shampoo - more than you ordinarily may, especially when dealing with an existing infestation. Take care to get deep into your pet’s fur, and allow the shampoo to sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing.
Shop now for an herbal flea & tick shampoo
Another ingredient to look for: Pyrethrins. Pyrethrins are known as nature’s insecticide. The chemical was found in the extract of chrysanthemum flowers more than a hundred years ago. Synthetic derivatives have been reproduced to mimic the effects of Pyrethrins (those are called Pyrethroids) but the original remains true and trustworthy. Some argue that Pyrethrins, though “natural," are still toxic. Others choose it as a lower impact option. You should decide for yourself.
Shop now for Pyrethrins based flea & tick shampoos
Some shampoos come in spray form and do not need to be rinsed out.
Shop now for natural,
spray-on, no-rinse flea & tick shampoos
Sprays for Home
If you’ve ever zested a lemon into a cake batter, you know how much stronger the flavor of that fruit becomes in whatever you’re making. d-Limonine is an extract taken from the skin of any citrus you might want to zest. In labs, the extracts become chemical grade, and those extracts are then used in a variety of “green” household cleaners. The natural chemical’s insecticidal prowess is widely lauded, and d-Limonine is used in many household fleas and tick sprays.
Shop now for d-Limonine
based flea & tick household sprays
Other home flea & tick sprays, as with some natural flea & tick shampoos, prefer to use the proven effects of the right essential oils. Some are targeted to deter fleas, but not ticks, so make sure all your bases are covered.
Shop now for flea
household sprays made with essential oils
Multi-Use Products
This multi-use Neem Oil comes from well-regarded, 25 year veteran of natural pet care, Richards Organics. It’s considered a “multi-use” product because you can add it to a spray bottle with water and use it as a house pest deterrent. You can apply it as a spot-on, directly to your pet, right between their shoulder blades. You can also add it to a gentle shampoo base, and use it as a flea and tick shampoo.
- Shop now for Richards Organics Multi-Use Neem Oil
Supplemental Internal Treatments
Fleas and vampires have more than one thing in common - they loathe garlic. No one has yet marketed a garlic necklace for dogs, but adding garlic supplements to your pet’s diet can work as a natural insect repellent. Another proven dietary insect repellent is Brewers Yeast. Many natural supplements are packed with both. Some are doled out as yummy flavored treats. Others come in powder form, which may be added to your dog’s food. However, remember that garlic, as well as onions, can be toxic to your pets in large quantities.
Shop for anti-pest
supplements with brewers yeast and garlic
- Mr. Brewer’s Yeast & Garlic Homeopathic for Natural Pest Control (powder form
- Four Paws Brewers Yeast with Garlic (treat form, also good for intestinal parasites)
Final Notes of Caution
Remember, just because it says “natural," “green,” or “eco” on it, does not automatically make a product safe or non-toxic. The word “organic” is heading in the right direction, but even that isn’t foolproof. If keeping your pet and their environment "natural" is important to you, you must be diligent in understanding all of the ingredients in each product you use.
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