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All About Fleas

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God in his wisdom made the fly and then forgot to tell us why.” Ogden

Could this go for fleas as well? I am sure that flys and fleas have a place in this world but just not in my home or on my pet!
A few facts to consider…

  • One adult flea found on a pet represents 1% of the fleas to be found in your home in one life stage or another.
  • The adult female can lay from 10 to 50 eggs a day and lives 60 to 100 days.
  • A majority of those eggs and resulting larvae and pupae remain within fifty feet of their host’s favorite resting spot, consequently it is important to think of environment when treating your pets for fleas.
  • Fleas account for more than half of all dermatological conditions requiring veterinary assistance.

Diet—The First Place To Start

 

  • Fortifying your pet against infestation starts from the inside out.
  • Fleas prefer weaker, less healthy hosts. Knowing this we can arm our pets for flea resistance by boosting their health and immunity.
  • Diet is the foundation of good health and a strong immunity system.
  • Whether it be biologically appropriate raw foods or a top quality dry, canned, or freeze dried food you want to buy foods that are USDA human grade foods. The first ingredient on the list should be meat, then whole grains such as oatmeal, brown rice, spelt and other quality, nutritious whole grains that diminish the chance of allergies. You want these whole-food pet foods to contain fruits and vegetables, along with omega 3 & 6 fatty acids from oils such as salmon oil, canola oil, flax seed oil, with digestive enzymes and probiotics to aid in the digestion and absorption of these foods. Plus recipes containing garlic and brewers yeast.
  • Choose foods that do not contain wheat, corn, or soy, gluten, added salt or sugars, added food colorings, by-products, or chemical preservatives such as BHA, BHT, or Ethoxiquin as these are poisons.

External Protection from Fleas

The first tool of defense is the flea comb. A flea comb along with a cup of warm soapy water goes a long way in winning the war. Most pets love this time (it is a big relief to be free of fleas!) and it lets you know at stage you are at in the battle. Just remember that for every adult flea you drown you are preventing generations of future parasites in your home.

Repelling? Beware!

There are many topical products out on the market. Many of them contain chemicals and pesticides, which we do not recommend. Many a family pet has had difficulty with the toxic nature of these products which can compromise their immune systems.

Green Cottage Pets, only provides products that are for the safe elimination of fleas, safe for your pets, safe for your family, safe for you and for the environment.

  • We research each product before recommending it for use with your pet. We stay within the products that use botanical to repel or products that will dehydrate the fleas throughout the different stages of their life.
  • We insist that everyone be label readers so here are some things to look for!

Sprays and Oils

  • Neem– used for centuries by man and animal is environmentally friendly, gentle, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and has wound healing properties. Scientific studies have found Neem to be unpalatable to biting insects. Regular use helps to soothe, and reduce risk of infections,itching and dermatitis caused by insect bites.
  • Pennyroyal, Oil of Pine, Fresh Extract of Wormwood, Rue, Cedarwood Oil, Extract of Black Walnut Leaves, Eucalyptus, Aloe Vera Extract, Chamomile Extract, Jojoba Oil, Rose Geranium Oil, (see special info about cat products below) are more of the wonderful, repelling and healing botanical you want to see as well on product labels.
  • Fleas, in all stages of their lives, are vulnerable to dehydration.You want to look for products that contain ingredients such as diatomaceous earth, baking soda, borax, corn starch which kills the fleas by dehydrating them which is non-toxic to pets, humans and the environment.

Important to Know

Cat formulas should not contain Pennyroyal and Eucalyptus as they cat be toxic to cats. Look for such ingredients as peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, lemon grass oil, clove oil, thyme oil.

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