Natural Flea Treatments for Pets

December 18, 4:00 PMNY Pets Alternative Health ExaminerCarol Alexander

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A few years ago, I used a conventional flea treatment on my Shih-tzu. I was a little worried that the lotion would be too strong for her. She was fine. Unfortunately, I was not. I broke out in a rash on my hands and wrists. Every time I picked my dog up to hug her, I got another contact reaction.

            Pesticides carry certain risks and side effects. Whether it is your pet or you who cannot tolerate over-the-counter or prescription flea preparations (and they certainly will not help anyone who has allergies or asthma) there are other ways to prevent and control infestations. A survey of alternatives turned up these simple remedies:

 Lemon spray—Cover a quartered lemon in boiling water and let the mixture sit overnight. Pour the cooled liquid into a spray bottle, and spray it directly onto pets, avoiding the animal’s mouth, eye, and genital areas.

 Natural flea collar—Once a week, rub a few drops of a natural oil into a bandanna or soft collar and leave it on the pet for seven days. Suggested oils: tea tree, eucalyptus, citronella, geranium, lavender. You can also purchase a pre-made flea collar from Onlynaturalpet.com.  

 Natural flea shampoo—Bathe your dog or cat with Neem shampoo, which comes in several brands (very potent on fleas and other vermin) or a shampoo based on d-limonene. We’ve used the Neem, which is non-drying and has a pleasant odor.

 Comb out your pet’s fur with a metal fine-tooth comb. The ones made for head lice will do nicely. Be sure to change bedding and vacuum your home carefully to prevent reinfestation. It may take several weeks to eradicate the pests.