So How Do I Keep Fleas Away from My Pet?

So How Do I Keep Fleas Away from My Pet?

Fleas, ticks and other parasites look for unhealthy animals first. One of the most important things you can do to make your dog or cat unattractive to bugs is to bring her to a state of optimal health.



A high quality, species-appropriate diet is the foundation upon which your pet’s good health and long life must be built.



In addition, you now have a safe, natural alternative to chemical pest preventives – Natural Flea and Tick Defense. I’m extremely excited to finally be able to make this wonderful product available to readers here at Mercola Healthy Pets. It’s been a long time coming, but I think you’ll agree it was worth the wait. For more information, view my recent video to learn just how special and effective this product is for dogs and cats.



A few other things you might also consider:



•Cedar oil is a long-recognized flea eradicator, and products exist that are specially formulated for cats and dogs.

•Natural, food-grade diatomaceous earth helps to remove fleas and ticks from your pet’s body. Never apply the powder to the face where contact with pets’ eyes could happen.

•Fresh garlic can be given to dogs and cats to prevent internal as well as external parasites. Work with your holistic vet to determine a safe amount for your pet’s body weight.

Guidance for Anyone Still Using Chemical Pest Repellents on Pets

If for some reason you find yourself in a situation where you simply can’t avoid using a chemical pest preventive, please do your beloved dog or cat a huge favor and follow these tips to reduce the toxic risks to your pet …



1.Be very careful to follow dosing directions on the label, and if your pet is at the low end of a dosage range, step down to the next lowest dosage. Be extremely cautious with small dogs, especially if you own one of the breeds reported to be at high risk for adverse reactions. And do not under any circumstances apply dog product to your cat.

2.Don’t depend exclusively on chemical treatments. Rotate natural preventives with chemical ones. An every other month rotation works well for many pet owners. In many parts of the country owners find they can successfully control ticks with two doses a year: one in the spring and one in the late summer.

3.Monitor your pet for adverse reactions after you apply a chemical product – especially when using one for the first time.

4.Since your pet’s liver will be tasked with processing the chemicals that make it into the bloodstream, it can be very beneficial to give your dog or cat a supplement to help detoxify her liver. I recommend milk thistle, which is a detox agent and also helps to actually regenerate liver cells.

5.Another product I recommend is chlorella, a super green food that is a very powerful detox agent. Your holistic vet can advise you about how much milk thistle and chlorella to give your pet, when, and for how long.



http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/11/30/harmful-chemicals-in-flea-collars-and-sprays.aspx?aid=CD945