Have heard that brewers yeast & garlic are safe & effective if given daily. Need any information regarding dosages, etc. We are trying to avoid dangerous commercial products like collars. Do you know of any common household products that could be used safely, ie bathing in vinegar water? HELP!
2006-06-23 12:02:47 · 9 answers · asked by Elizabeth W 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I wouldn't bother with home remedies, herbal supplements, or over the counter supplies to ward off fleas and ticks. There is no proof that they work. You would be wasting money and (worse yet) potentially harming your pets. The products you buy at the veterinarian are more expensive but that's because they have undergone extensive safety and efficacy testing. In addition most are guaranteed (if put on correctly). Since Tick and fleas can transmit diseases and parasites to pets AND OWNERS - go to your vet for proper treatment.
2006-06-23 12:58:25 · answer #1 · answered by Lauren 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you've already got fleas, you have a problem. They don't live on your pet - they live in your house in carpets and furniture and hop onto the pets for a snack - sort of like a travelling buffet.
I'm a dog groomer, and to be honest there are some very expensive "natural" treatments out there but none of them are as effective as the chemical ones. You will need to bathe your pets and leave the shampoo on for about 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and dry them. You also have to treat your house, or the fleas will just wait until the dog is no longer toxic. You may find it easiest to take your pet to a groomer and tackle the house while he/she is out.
Both Brewers yeast and Garlic thin the blood, which is why they are effective at preventing an infestation in the first place - th e fleas don't get enough nourishment to stay on a pet that has thin blood. (Doesn't hurt the dog either to have thinner blood.) Dosage depends on weight, obviously... with garlic you are quite safe as it is virtually impossible to overdose on it. My lab (78 pounds) will eat a whole head of garlic about once a week if I let her, but there is bad breath associated with this! I"m not sure on doses for Brewer's Yeast - but your vet should know.
Another solution which we use is a product called "Advantage" or "Zodiac": it is applied to the neck and the base of the tail from a tiny tube, once every three months. Very effective, no odour, and reasonably priced as long as you get it at a pet store not a vet.
I don't think a vinegar bath would help at all, and your pet might smell like a french fry. Good luck, fleas are a pain!
2006-06-23 12:12:22 · answer #2 · answered by Samlet 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure about yeast, but garlic is a fairly effective way of preventing fleas and ticks. They hate the pungent smell and will not bother your dog. Sprinkle some garlic powder (not garlic salt) into your dog's food every day, and it should do the trick. Don't worry about the dog not wanting to eat the food. Dogs love garlic! Not only will the garlic help with the flea problem, but it will kill any bacterial infection that may be present in your dog and allow for good health!
On a side note, it will also work for you to repel fleas, ticks and mosquito's.
2006-06-23 12:13:58 · answer #3 · answered by Audrey A 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This was just the discussion on my homeopathic list last week. They said that the B vitamins in the Brewer's yeast were good for keeping fleas & ticks away, but the garlic was a bad idea. Dogs are allergic to onions and garlic is in the onion family.
http://health.group.yahoo.com/group/Pets4Homeopathy
Another good list that preaches the natural approach is.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jstsayno2vaccs
2006-06-23 13:00:52 · answer #4 · answered by A Great Dane Lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe a very strong soap made from oil of peppermint. Check your Whole Grain Market or whatever 'granola-cruncher' store is in your area.
You know, life for the average person is significantly better today....and much longer....thanks to chemistry. There is not anything particularly dangerous about the pesticides used in flea collars. Give yourself and your dog a break and use what works.
2006-06-23 12:11:39 · answer #5 · answered by DJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do not give the dogs onions orgarlic--sulfoxides cause anemia. onions are worse.
Be careful with any chemical you use-- pets can be very allergic too. Those flea collars caused a lot of problems not so long ago - even death. Talk to your vet.
2006-06-30 01:05:54 · answer #6 · answered by reme_1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I haven't heard of anything you mentioned actually working.
The only thing that worked for us was vacumning. Vacumn everything, furniture, carpets, beds (human and pet). Every nook and cranny every 2 days for 2 weeks. Yes I'm serious. You have to vacumn a lot after that too, especially during the summer.
2006-06-23 12:12:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well my dog today got frontline and the vet said it is the top med that works the best.
2006-06-23 12:07:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can bath in tomato juice to relase stress.
2006-06-26 08:22:33 · answer #9 · answered by Beautiful*Girl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋