Just about anyone who's ever owned a pet knows the all-too-common problem of combating fleas. Fortunately for those on a budget, you can prevent and kill fleas without breaking the bank.
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Options
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The ways you can treat fleas in a cat are dog are numerous. In addition to a bevy of soaps, dips and "bombs," you can also try foggers, electric plug-ins and all-natural products. These products' effectiveness varies based on quality and retailer.
Online Retailers
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Once they select a pet product, online retailers are a popular venue of purchase for many pet owners. Not only do these retailers save pet owners the hassle of making a trip to the pet store, but many also sell flea dips, pills, shampoos and other preventatives in bulk, thereby lowering their overall price in the long run. For instance, an online retailer like Flea Smart will sell Frontline Plus, a popular flea/tick killer, in three-, six- and 12-month supplies. By purchasing a 12-month supply, pet owners save around $10 when compared to buying four installments of three-month supplies.
Inexpensive In-Store Products
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Perhaps the two most popular inexpensive flea treatment/prevention products available in stores are flea drops and flea collars. You administer these drops monthly and they run around $10 for a three-month supply. Meanwhile, an assortment of flea collars are available at pet stores and big box stores for a nominal fee. These collars, many of which last up to nine to 12 months, often run less than $10 and come in different sizes designed for various sizes of dogs and cats.
All-Natural Products
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Another popular outlet for treating and preventing fleas is cheap, all-natural remedies. These non-toxic remedies include adding garlic and yeast to a pet's diet, which makes their blood taste terrible to parasites like fleas and ticks. Other inexpensive all-natural treatments include an herbal shampoo made from pine cedar, rosemary, lavender, eucalyptus, citronella or juniper. These herbs are relatively inexpensive in small doses, and you can find them at most major health food stores and markets.
Keep the Environment Clean
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This form of treatment is extremely inexpensive. More fleas populate a pet's environment than the pet itself, and thrive in dirty environments. Keeping a pet's area clean is vital to keeping fleas at bay. This includes regularly washing a pet's blanket and bed, vacuuming regularly, treating carpets with powder-based repellents (which you can purchase at most major pet retailers) and bathing pets regularly.
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