When I first got cancer, my Mom kept putting Frontline on me, because we had ticks and fleas bad where we used to live. Even though she wondered if maybe that’s what caused my cancer in the first place, she was afraid that the diseases I could get from fleas would be far worse than the risk of getting sick from chemicals that are supposed to be “safe” for us.
But when my lung mets showed up, Mom had to know: Is flea medication safe? Can it make me sick?
She talked to my oncologist, a pet nutrition guru, about flea prevention. My oncologist believes that dogs with “compromised immune systems” shouldn’t have more chemicals in their bodies. Since my great diet keeps my body strong, she said that fleas shouldn’t be a problem for me. She recommended that we stick with natural flea solutions.
During our stay here in the Colorado high country, there are two natural flea killers that we are putting to the test this summer: Flee, Flea! All Natural Anti-Flea Spray for Dogs and Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth …
Flee, Flea! Anti-Flea Spray for Dogs
Did you ever wonder why you can’t get flea repellents on your skin, but they’re OK to put on your dog?
This natural flea killer not only smells great, but is natural, safe and non-toxic. Dogs can lick it and not get sick. Unlike harsh chemical products Flee, Flea! Will not harm you or your dog if it gets on the skin! This product is not absorbed through the skin and is completely safe if your dog licks it! It is effective but gentle enough to not cause irritation and hot spots! Safe for dogs 6 weeks and older.
Here are the ingredients:
water; citronella oil; sage extract; eucalyptus extract; rosemary extract; yellowdock root extract; fennel seed extract; lemongrass extract; clove extract; grapefruit seed extract; eucalyptus oil; catnip oil; penyroyal oil; soybean oil; lemongrass oil; germaben II; Neem oil; polysorbate 20; cashmere fragrance.
Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth
My acupuncturist – whom you shall meet soon, I promise – told us about this all natural flea powder.
Diatomaceous Earth is the fossilized deposit of microscopic shells created by one-celled plants called Diatoms. These tiny shell particles have sharp edges that tear an insect up from the inside out. DE is not harmful to humans or other large animals because they can not do enough damage in our mostly liquid bodies to harm us.
Unlike the commercial products like Frontline, fleas can’t become immune to Diatomaceous Earth. It is the natural and safe way to kill parasites without chemicals. In fact, many farmers deliberately mix Diatomaceous Earth with animal feed to kill internal parasites in farm animals.
You can start by dusting a light coat of DE into your tripawd’s fur – 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight is recommended. Be sure to spread it throughout their furry coat, using a fine toothed comb.
If fleas do set up shop in your home, you can sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth on your dog’s bed or the carpet to kill them quick. It’s a fine powder, so it gets into cracks and crevices quite easily. You can also put some in the vacuum bag, so that as you pickup any live fleas, they’ll die once they drop into the bag. Monthly applications are recommended in places with high flea populations.
We found both products at Kalyx.com – an online natural marketplace for herbs, spices, supplements, bath & body, and much more. You may be able to find them locally but please be sure to use Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth.
Many thanks to Whole Dog Journal for helping to explain the many benefits of Diatomaceous Earth.
My cat was plagued with fleas in Southern California. I moved to Denver in 1991 and have NEVER seen a flea. I now have 2 cats who have never suffered one flea bite. I don’t care what the reason, altitude or whatever… I’m glad they haven’t bothered my cats 🙂
Tripawds Spokesdog Wyatt Ray lives in CO half the year and he never gets fleas either. Don’t you love the Rockies? I’m glad you don’t get them either.
If only everyone cared for felines to the extent we do. Maybe you have heard concerning the Environmental protection agency and flea control drops? It’ pretty troubling just what many of those products are doing to our pets.
Is there anyone talking about ticks? This link sent me here for ticks and non of the articles mention ticks!
What link do you refer to? Anyway, you might want to try Dirty & Hairy Repel pet shampoo. It is citronella based. Luke from 2Dogs2000miles.org just told us he’s giving it a try and they are currently walking through major tick country.
thanx very much. The link was from a private rescue group. Will try the Dirty Hairy Repel product. Thank-you very much, Deb
Sorry to say that fleas DO occur in Colorado, more specifically, I know they are in the Denver area because the vets here will tell you that fleas exist here. Two of my dogs have had fleas and they’ve never been anywhere besides the house, the yard, and short walks around my neighborhood. My house is clean and my yard is well-groomed and beautiful, and my neighborhood is a clean Lakewood area (Denver suburb). It’s been close to zero in the winter and they even survive that! I’m happy to hear about diatomaceous earth to finally kill the fleas, among other horrid insects such as brown recluse and massive amounts of hobo spiders that have appeared on my property and in my house over this past year! Fleas may not occur in the mountains but they’re definitely in the city and the foothills.
Great information. I have used Diatomaceous Earth outside for controlling bugs getting into the house, but I haven’t thought of using it to control fleas inside. I’m all for natural solutions … and as well as being safer, they are generally much less expensive than medications.
Well I agree, there aren’t any fleas at high altitude. I’ve been living at 9300′ all summer, and we haven’t found a single flea. Lots of other critters, but none of those little buggers. Mom bought me the Flea Flee spray, but I haven’t really needed it, only to help me smell great!
Thanks for sharing the info and your thoughts with us, it’s always appreciated!
Here is a link from a DVM that says fleas will not survive above 5,000 feet: http://www.cottonwooddvm.com/Fleas%20in%20Colorado.pdf
But, here’s another link from a DVM that says fleas do exist in Colorado:
http://www.dirt-dog.com/vet/fleas.html
Now, I lived in Denver which is the Mile High City (5,280 ft). We had NO fleas EVER on any of our pets and most vets there will tell you they do not exist in Colorado due to the high altitude. I just wish I would quit opening my big mouth before I researched my details more.
I’m blaming this whole thing on Blazer (my poor unsuspecting pup); he started it!
My apologies if this issue is confusing.
Love, Blazer
Oh my gosh, I almost forgot to mention this! There are no fleas in Colorado! The altitude is too high for fleas to survive there. I know this because that is where I grew up (for 36 years), even though I now live in Oregon. So, you don’t need flea products in Colorado, at all.
Sincerely,
Vicki Tankersley
Wow, I’m glad I found this info. I have often wondered about the Frontline Plus I use on my little Miniature Poodle & my kitty. And, I never liked the idea of why I had to wash my hands after using it, if it was supposedly so safe for pets. I had never heard of Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth or Flee Flea! That’s why I love your website so much; I learn so many new things every day.
Sincerely,
Vicki Tankersley