I have a Yorkie who gets fleas (He's not infested, it's just annoying) and our cat doesn't. Tried everything from Frontline to every over-the-counter product. We don't have carpet so nothing to put there. We bath him regularly, but the fleas just love him. I read this (Diatomaceous Earth) is a good and safe product to put on the animal and it's bedding. Any thoughts on this ???
2007-10-14 08:53:30 · 5 answers · asked by wyldshadow 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
How it works is it is a ground up fossil of crustaceans. The insects ingest it and the sharp edges basically tear the insect apart from the inside. It sounds gruesome but it works. It is harmless to the dog, and the dog can ingest in with no ill side effects. If given orally, it will also help kill intestinal parasites. I have used if for years on my dogs with no problems.
2007-10-14 09:05:52 · answer #1 · answered by Shanna 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
We are having a flea problem too. Dry in Ca. I took my dog to the vet and he gave me Sentinel (a tablet to give orally once a month, and the Frontline, same thing once a month on the skin) The Sentinel I think is supposed to makethe fleas infertile. And the Frontline is supposed to help to keep the fleas off altogether. Or it is vice versa...I know that between the 2 of these we had dead fleas dropping off the dog. So maybe the combo is more effective than just the liquid on the fur. Fleas dont like table salt. I dont know if I would dust the dog with the Diamtomaceous Earth. I know the Diamthomaceous Earth works to kill snails. But not sure about fleas.
2007-10-14 09:09:37 · answer #2 · answered by Toffy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Over-the-counter products (i.e from pet stores) don't work. Frontline does, so does Advantage and Revolution. You just have to make sure you get it on the animal's skin, not the fur - and don't bath the animal within 48 hours before or after applying it or it's unlikely to work.
Stick with regular use of a veterinary spot-on, and get a proper spray from a vets to use on your house. Diatomaceous earth is a 'mechanical insecticide' i.e kills insects by dehydrating them, but is not especially efficacious for fleas - they're too tough. I suggest Indorex, Acclaim or Staykil or better still, getting a vet to order you in some Skoosh spray, which is a new product. www.skooshthefleas.com
Chalice
2007-10-15 09:36:23 · answer #3 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't like using most chemical insect killers and have looked for alternatives for pets, home and garden uses. I have used diatomacious earth for getting rid of garden pests. It is somewhat effective for specific uses, but I don't think it would work well for fleas, because it works by a process that isn't likely to affect fleas. It is made up of sharp organic particles that pierce the bodies of soft bodied insects and they then dehydrate. Fleas aren't soft bodied and aren't likely to be affected much by diatomaceous earth. A better biological product is rotenone, which is made from a flowering plant that is toxic to many insects. I have used this on animals, but with limited success. But my experience had been that fleas are mostly resistant to rotenone. Once fleas get into your home and on your pets, it is VERY difficult to get rid of them completely. To rid your pets of them you must kill them on your pets and in all the hiding places they can live in in the indoor environment. That includes cracks where they can hide, like behind baseboards, under allpiances, furniture cushions and beds, on draperies and pet bedding. If your pets go outside, the yard should be treated too. I have only had very good success with chemical flea killers, like foggers or sprays for the house and spot treatments for animals, with "growth inhibitors" that stop eggs from hatching and larvae from growing into adults that can reproduce. At the same time you have to kill all the fleas on both your pets (I would treat your cat too) and prevent them from returning. Even one or two of them that escape can repopulate your pets in a short time and all your effort and expense is wasted. (Frontline PLUS is more effective than Frontline.) Be aware that fleas can transmit tapeworms to dogs and cats by injecting the eggs into the animal when they bite. All the more reason to use whatever is needed to get rid of them.
2007-10-14 09:46:09 · answer #4 · answered by Essie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure that the DE you get is not the kind for pools.
I use DE for internal worms and my 3 are doing good on it. I haven't tried it for fleas as they tell you to be careful about breathing it in. It can do damage to the lungs.
2007-10-14 09:39:29 · answer #5 · answered by A Great Dane Lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋