Fleas can make a dog itch, cause allergic dermatitis and anemia, and transmit disease and tapeworms. Natural treatment provides a safe alternative for dog and family without exposure to insecticides and chemicals. However, it does require more than just treating the dog, and it takes more time and labor than using insecticides and chemicals.
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Determine the Scope of the Problem
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Scratching doesn't mean there are fleas, nor does a lack of scratching mean a dog is flea-free. Checking a dog regularly with a flea comb is the only way to be sure if there are fleas. If no fleas are found, preventing them by treating your home and yard will help keep the dog healthy and flea-free. If the dog is heavily infested and sick, it may be necessary to remove the fleas and board the dog until the home is clear.
Debugging the Home
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Methoprene is a hormone that prevents juvenile fleas from maturing. It's safe, non-toxic and effective at stopping young fleas from reproducing. Food-grade diatomaceous earth (a dead, one-cell microscopic plant) kills fleas and larvae. Spraying with methoprene and spreading diatomaceous earth along baseboards, under sofa cushions and carpeting aids in stopping fleas from multiplying and killing those present.
Barrier Protection
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Treating the yard is critical to prevent reinfestation of fleas from direct entry or being carried back in on the dog. Spreading diatomaceous earth in the yard and ground next to the house is helpful in killing fleas. However, putting nematodes--microscopic worms that eat flea larvae--in the yard is the most natural and effective protection for both flea and tick control.
Manual Removal
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Removing fleas from the dog with a flea comb is the first step to treating the dog. It is critical to continue regular flea combing. Continue flea combing daily for one week after the last flea is found, then weekly during flea season.
Organic Treatments for the Dog
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Food-grade diatomaceous earth can safely be rubbed into the dog's coat to kill fleas. Brewer's yeast can be fed to the dog to help make it taste unpleasant and repel fleas. Garlic, neem tree oil, or citrus sprays also aid in repelling fleas from making the dog their host.
Travels and Visits
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If the dog is taken to parks, boarded, or if guests bring their pets into your home, there's a risk of outside infestation. Make it a ritual to flea comb the dog after trips away from home and to check daily after visits from other pets. If organic control is important, discuss it with any boarding facility. Many routinely treat dogs with flea-medicated baths, sprays or oral medications such as Capstar.
The Benefits
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Treatment using natural means decreases pet and owner exposure to chemicals and insecticides. Routine flea combing removes fleas and ticks and provides an opportunity to check for lumps, bumps and other health issues. Thorough treatment has proven to reduce environment infestations so that many do not have to treat--or treat only minimally--their yard or house after as few as two flea seasons. Organic and natural flea preventions are safe and effective if done systematically on both dog and environment.
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