Alternative?

deege39 · 10-04-2009, 04:30 PM

It's Oct. now, (duh!) and it's going to be growing chilly soon...

Donatello ran out of flea-stuff this month, (meaning, on the 10th he won't get a dose for October.)

Every month on the 10th he gets an application, then four days later I bathe him with an oatmeal flea&tick shampoo...

Well... I have the money for the applications, but I'm wondering if I'll really need them, I'm wondering if I can do something natural or "homeopathic" (is that the right word?)

I've heard fleas can live on your dog in the winter time, but can they be picked up if the weather is chilly?

Donatello is not an outside dog, he's outside very little, he doesn't roll around and live outside so I'm wondering if I can get away with doing something natural... My father thinks he'll be fine, and I'm thinking he will be too, but... Just to be sure I'm asking those who have experience.

Would the shampoo this month be enough? Or should I add something natural?

railNtrailcowgrl · 10-04-2009, 05:35 PM

I haven't used a flea prevention on Pebbles at all since I ran out before last winter. She started having reactions to 2 different brands I tried so I just quit, didn't want to push my luck and maker her sick. I use Only Natral Pet Herbal Defense Shampoo & Conditioner and haven't seen a flea or tick all summer long. It does have a strong smell but it fades after a day or two and it's something that I tolerate because it's natural. It makes her fur and skin so soft, something that could not be said when I was bathing her with the oatmeal or tea tree shampoos. Her itchies are also gone, I think it's because the shampoo doesn't contain parabens or sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates. Which most 'normal' shampoos do, so it doesn't dry her skin out as fast. It's kinda pricy but I've only used MAYBE 1/4 of a bottle since March and she gets a bath anywhere from 1-4 times a month depending on the season and what dirt she's found in the horse lot. It is a very good sudsing shampoo.

Quote:

...neem oil, lemongrass, lavender, citronella, and other natural herbal extracts to help keep annoying insect pests at bay....aloe, jojoba oil, calendula and chamomile, soothe and protect your pet’s skin – a great benefit for pets suffering from flea or mosquito bites, seasonal allergies, dryness, or other skin irritations. Our shampoo’s rich lather cleans deeply without drying and leaves a fresh, clean scent that insects will avoid. Special ingredients like sunflower seed oil and muru muru butter in our conditioner add extra nourishment and protection to your pet’s skin and coat.

Dog_Shrink · 10-04-2009, 07:10 PM

A couple things.. first why would you bath your dog after applying flea spot ons? It dilutes it and is more ineffective because you're removing the natural body oils that spred it thru the body's dermis layer.

Second... a natural remedy you can use is eucalyptus or lavender oil. Both are natural flea repellants. Apply like parfume... dab the ankels ears, nape chest and butt about every 10-15 days. Since these are oils they will stay on longer than alcohol based essences. None of my dogs can use spot ons either and we NEVER have issues with fleas.

BTW when the weather is consistantly below 45 degrees outside fleas go dormant. Time to apply a final round of bug granules to your lawn for early flea control next summer. We use Seven dust lawn granules for multipul bug control. Works great and no harmful side effects to your pets. They will survive in the house all winter since we keep our homes warmer than that and all they need to survive in like say a basement is skin flakes and moisture.

railNtrailcowgrl · 10-04-2009, 07:30 PM

Wow, very informative dog_shrink! Thanks, DH thinks the shampoo I use stinks to the high heavens, says it burns his nose, men

, I think it smells lovely! I'll have to look into oils before next summer.

Dog_Shrink · 10-04-2009, 10:53 PM

You can usually find those oils at an herbalists shop or a whole foods store or an organics shop and of course you can find it on ebay in spades. Just search essence oils eucalyptus or lavender (whatever flavor you're looking for)