MY dogs suffer badly from fleas and Im looking alternative herbal solutions. any suggestions?

Question

I hate store bought chemical concoctions I worry they might do more harm that good.

Answer 1

.Give him a bath in a coconut scented shampoo. I don't know the reason but fleas can't live on them with that scent.
If you're interested this works to prevent kids from getting lice also.
Back to the dog.
If the fleas are real bad put regular table salt on him about one hour before but you want to do this outside because the fleas will jump off, then the shampoo will kill the eggs.
Sounds dumb I know but trust me it works and it can even be a cheap shampoo. Buy suave if it don,t work follow my link, e-mail me and I'll pay for the shampoo.

Answer 2

Fleas do much more harm than the chemicals do. They can cause a dog to become anemic and they are a cause of tapeworms, just to name a few common problems with way too many fleas.
Some dogs do react to some of the chemical products for topical monthly treatments. My dogs reacted to them until I tried BioSpot which they tolerate really well.
I knew a guy with a Golden Lab that swore by Brewer's yeast with garlic. Some pet stores sell this and it's great for a dog's skin and coat and does have some repellant effect. I'd say try it, but if it doesn't stop the fleas pretty quick, then using the chemicals would be better than flea infestation and flea related complications.
Talk to a Vet about any home remedies suggested because some can be toxic to dogs if taken in the wrong amount, or if used at all.

Answer 3

I can give you a few ideas, but usually once the fleas are their you need to get rid of them. I use a product called Diatomaceous Earth (food grade) Perma Guard makes a type you can feed to the dogs(Be real careful that is says on the bag that it can be ingested, I have found many that can not be, but can be used on carpets & in bedding . It can also be use in your house & yard. I had to resort to Frontline, & I used a product called Capstar (kills fleas-a pill) I had fleas in the house & in the yard I think. I do not get bitten by them so I am not sure where they were. my one dog ended up with tape worms from ingesting an infected flea. I have not used fleas preventative in the 5 yrs I have had dogs. (I foster dogs also). I give them garlic daily, yeast, feed them a very premium food ( Eagle Pack Holistic, Canidea,or Chicken Soup for the dog Lovers Soul). I also prepare some food for my dogs they get also. I boast their immune system with vitamins & minerals (help from the inside out). If the dog itches from the fleas you can try this: thinly slice a lemon (peel & all) heat water to almost boiling, turn off heat & place lemon slices in the water & let it sit overnight . Sponge this on the dog & it will help heal the itch & help keep fleas off.
You can try a rosemary tea after bathe rinse. 1 t dried rosemary or 1 tabl. fresh rosemary. 1 pint water. boil the water then put the rosemary in the water, turn off the heat & let it sit till it cools, then pour over the dog after a bath. do not rinse, careful on light colored dogs (tea might stain).
herbal powder; equal parts of the following dried crushed herbs: eucalyptus, fennel, fleabone, garlic, onion, rosemary, rue, tansy, & wormwood. Keep this herbal mix stored in a glass jar & awqy from sunlight.
Now if this is too hard, find a petstore that sells holistic flea powders. You can find a holistic vet & ask them what stores might sell it. I am guessing it will be the natural pet stores that will sell products that are safer, fully read the label before buying or using. Good luck

Answer 4

Just buy Frontline Plus or Advantage from your vet. Its completly safe. Its more unsafe for your dog to have fleas than use this medication. Fleas can cause anemia and tape worms. Why risk using an herbal solution that probably won't work? Frontline is very very safe. My mom worked for a vet for 15 yrs and the reps for Frontline actually put it on a pizza and then ate it. Doesn't that show you that its safe? Not to mention, the chemcial in the product only works on fleas and works on their nervous system. The chemicals don't react with dogs. Some dogs to experience minor skin irritation where its applied to do the oil that makes the product spread. I've used this on all my dogs and never had any problems, even on puppies. Just go with one of these tried and true products instead of keeping your dog flea infested.

Answer 5

If your dog has fleas and your dog lives or is ever inside your house. Then your house has fleas also and you need to exterminate your house and your dog. You will be eaten up alive. Google for borax and diatemacious earth. Food grade diatemacious earth is used in gardens and food and livestock to control internal and external parasite (BUGS) it is all natural and non toxic. You rub the powder on your dog and it will kill the fleas.

Unless you are a die hard naturalistic just give in and get some frontline for your dog and have an exterminator visit your property. It works very well. Fleas are disgusting and hard to get rid of; they multiply very fast.

Also, it is said that feeding your dog garlic will help keep away fleas....don't know if it is true or not.

Answer 6

You can also use garlic salt. Just sprinkle the garlic salt in your dogs food and the smell of the garlic turns the fleas away. There are also a lot of good recommendations listed here too. I don't like using the store bought chemical brands, I once used a flea spray on my dog and found out after doing as the label said that the spray was responsible for the death of many dogs. That spray is no longer on the market, this happened about 15 years ago. You can also bathe him in Dawn dish washing liquid to remove the fleas before starting his regimen of garlic salt or powder.

Answer 7

Diatomaceaus (sp) Earth.

You can spread it in your lawn, you can sprinkle on your carpets and flooring, and you can rub it into the dogs fur as well. If using on carpet and flooring let it sit for a few days before sweeping or vacuuming.

This stuff is all natural, and works by drying out the fleas tough outer shell. Once that's gone the flea dies. Stick with the food grade stuff, and remember it is going to get a little spendy.

Answer 8

There are times when you have to rely on chemicals. Think of it this way, if you don't control the fleas they will infest you, your home, cause infections from hotspots (which means antibiotics & steroids), hair loss & tapeworm (which can kill your dog if you don't take care of them). If you use Frontline, it's a little in between the dog's shoulder blades once a month. Controls fleas, ticks, & mosquitos. You give your dog immunizations & heartworm preventative don't you?!

Answer 9

yeah well the "chemical concoctions" are probably the only thing that will help all the herbal solutions may be soothing to the dog but wont get rid of the flees so use google.com and petmeds.com

Answer 10

There is nothing wrong with "chemical concoctions". Quit making your dogs suffer and get them some Advantage!