Natural flea treatments?

[bealsabubbette]

The fleas, they are vicious this year. I have 2 cats and a miniature dachshund. In spite of using the hella expensive treatment from the vet (it's a chewtab with heartworm protection as well), all of the critters are getting eaten up by fleas. In addition, the instructions are very clear not to use any additional treatments, not even flea shampoo

Comments

[bemused_leftist]

Safe for animals and not contradicting anything. Flea trap: dish of water on the floor with a little oil or detergent in it (lemon scent preferred). Keep it warm The warmth and smell attract the fleas, who jump in and drown.(The oil or detergent keeps them from getting out.)

Heat source can be a table lamp on the floor beside it, or a heating pad under it, whatever.

[bealsabubbette]

Finding a place for one now.

[redheadforever]

The Head of Household (see icon 😺 ) is horrendously allergic, and first thing that worked for him was amazing prescription stuff, Revolution. Yeah, chemicals. For us it was worth it in saved misery. You work it into the fur at the neck/shoulders where it's hardest for the cat to reach (no canine experience, sorry, but a version for them exists as well), it kills all the stages and ticks and other microvermin. I couldn't praise it highly enough!

[mschaos]

the prescription Frontline is great as is Advantage

do not get anything from the grocery store that pets are to wear or shampoo with

salt is great at killing fleas. shake salt into the carpet and let it sit for 24 hours then vacuum up

[clynne]

Seconding the "don't buy things from the grocery store to put on or feed your pets." A lot of that stuff is untested and dangerous, and if you're already giving your pet a heartworm treatment that means you can't give him other things, you really don't want to risk it.

Talk to your vet about whether something like Advantage is acceptable despite them already having had the chew tablets. You can also ask about Brewer's Yeast. It didn't work for my cats, but other people have had luck with it making animals unpalatable to fleas, and it is a naturally occuring foodstuff, so it might be safe for your dog.

Finally, you could try washing your dog in water only. A number of the fleas should drown and/or get washed away, even without soap. Plus, if he pees, well, at least he's in the tub already!

[bealsabubbette]

The tablets the animals get don't allow any other chemical product - topical treatments weren't helping at all, so we switched to the tablets (comfortis)

Doggie seemed to like her bath, so perhaps we'll step up the frequency - dachshunds are prone to serious dandruff if bathed too often, so I'll have to keep an eye out for that. It can't be worse than the fleas.

[bemused_leftist]

Some cooking oil in the bath water would keep the fleas from getting out of the tub, jumping on your hands, etc. It would also give the dog's fur like a hair conditioner and discourage or possibly kill fleas that get on him later.

Rubbing oil on his fur when he's dry would help with the fleas, though too much might give him loose stool if he licks it. THIS IS PLAIN COOKING OIL, NOT HARTZ OR SIMILAR POISON IN OIL BASE.

[lisasimpsonfan]

Borax is wonderful for your carpets to kill fleas and the eggs. Just sprinkle it over the carpet, I used a broom to push it into it, let it sit overnight and then sweep it up.

Basic Dawn dish soap is great for washing pets with to kill fleas as well.

[rovylern]

OP: Borax is awesome for killing lots of bugs (including fleas and ants) but please know that it is toxic if animals or small children ingest it. You would need to crate or otherwise contain your animals while it's on your flooring.

[bealsabubbette]

We do borax at night and vacuum in the morning. We have an ant and roach problem due to the terrain around our house.

[recreatexme]

Look for products that contain neem oil. I use Ark Naturals neem oil protect spray and shampoo. It is very effective if you follow all the directions, and all natural.