How to Control Your Pet's Internal Parasites Naturally

Your veterinarian may give you chemical dewormers to rid your pet cat or dog of internal parasites. However, there is an all-natural, completely nontoxic substance that, when used regularly, can prevent your beloved pet from ever again having to ingest toxic chemical dewormers. Diatomaceous earth (DE) consists of the skeletal remains of tiny one-celled organisms. DE is mined and then sold to the consumer as a fine dust.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Purchase food-grade DE only from a reputable company. Food-grade DE carries the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's rating "Food Chemical Codex Grade."
2. Store DE in an airtight container. It may be sold to you in a plastic or paper bag. You do not need to remove it from the bag; simply place the bag and its contents in an airtight container.
3. Weigh your pet to determine the proper amount to feed with each meal. Generally, small dogs and cats are fed 1 teaspoon DE per day. Medium-sized dogs receive 1 tablespoon. Very large dogs, such as Great Danes, receive 2 tablespoons per day.
4. Mix the DE with your pet's food. It has no odor or taste, so your pet should not even notice it.
5. Remove pet waste daily from your yard or wherever your pet does his business. The sharp edges of the DE kill parasites, which are then expelled from the body.
   
6. Use DE for a minimum of 60 days to make sure all adult, larval and egg stages of the parasites have been removed. You may use DE continuously with no ill effects because it is a mechanical rather than a chemical agent. Neither your pet or the parasites can build up a resistance to DE.

Tips & Warnings

• DE can also be fed to livestock and poultry.
• DE can be applied externally to aid in flea prevention.
• DE can be used to prevent insect infestation in stored grains.
• Wear a dust mask when handling DE. The fine dust may cause respiratory irritation in some people.
• Never feed your pet DE sold for pool filters. Pool filter-grade DE has been processed and treated and can be fatal to your pet. Use food-grade DE only.