Non Toxic Flea Control for Dogs
Discovering fleas on your dog can be stressful. Not only do fleas cause excessive biting and licking in your pet, but finding a treatment that doesn't cause harm to your pet can be daunting. Many flea control products contain harsh chemicals that can result in adverse reactions and health complications when overly used. Many shampoos containing permethrin, can disrupt your pet's nervous system, according to Pet Education. There are however, safer methods of controlling fleas in your dog.
Things You'll Need
- Face mask
- Pet powder containing diatomaceous earth
- Electric flea trap
- Petroleum jelly
- Flea comb
- Towel
- Cotton balls
- Rubbing alcohol
- Soap
- Cup
- Cooking oil
Instructions
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Diatomaceous Earth
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Purchase a pet powder containing diatomaceous earth, such as Only Natural Pet All-in-One Flea Remedy. Put a face mask on you and your dog. While diatomaceous earth is nontoxic, inhalation of the powder can cause lung irritation.
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Use the powder outdoors. Take your dog outdoors. Sprinkle the powder along your dog's spine. Massage the powder into your dog's fur, going in the direction of hair growth.
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Work the powder over areas inhabited by fleas. The belly, legs and feet need special attention. Apply the powder as necessary to eliminate fleas.
Electric Flea Trap
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Use an electric flea trap. Electric flea traps don't use chemicals. Instead, a sticky trap is placed within an appliance that uses light and heat to attract the fleas.
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Place the trap close to your pet. Plug the flea trap into a socket. The trap should be placed in a place frequented by your dog.
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Remove the sticky pad when it becomes full of fleas, and replace the electric trap with a new sticky pad.
Combing
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Apply petroleum jelly to a flea comb. Comb your dog, paying attention to the toes, ears, tail and head, as stated by Paw Rescue.
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Use a towel to spot fleas. Comb your dog over a towel. Dab a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol. Catch fallen fleas with the cotton ball.
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Cotton balls can help catch fleas. Place the cotton ball with the fleas into a cup filled with soapy water. Ensure that the fleas are placed at the bottom of the cup. Flush the water with the fleas down your toilet. Repeat the process of combing and killing fleas.
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Tips & Warnings
Vacuum your floor daily to suck up fleas.
Wash your dog's bedding regularly in hot water and dry on the hottest setting.
Cooking oil can be added to water to smother fleas.
Herbal flea shampoos can be used as an alternative to controlling fleas.
Never use pool-grade diatomaceous earth on your dog. This form of diatomaceous earth is toxic to animals.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit dog image by Holtea Silviu from Fotolia.com dog image by Ergün Ã--zsoy from Fotolia.com westie in bed image by Alan James from Fotolia.com towel image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com Cotton Balls on Black and White image by Towards Ithaca from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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that's the way to do it! kill the fleas, not the dog.
