How to Naturally Protect Your Pets from Pests
Summer is here!
Yay. So are fleas, ticks and mosquitos…not so yay. Especially for your pet. Bites from pests aren’t only annoying they can cause serious health threats. Infected mosquitos can give your pet heartworm, and tick bites carry Lyme, Rocky Mountain Spotted fever and a host of other diseases. Fleas not only irritate your pet, but can jump from your pet to you.
Yuck.
Don’t worry, there are ways to reduce your pet’s risk of bites and infections. Read on for the 411 on natural pest protection for your furry loved ones.
Doesn’t my dog’s heartworm medication protect him from mosquito bites?
You may not be aware that even if you give your dog heartworm medication it doesn’t protect him from getting bitten. Though heartworm medications may prevent pets from developing the disease (and according to dogs naturally, they don’t always) the best prevention is to avoid mosquito bites in the first place. Also, consider that your poor pet can’t tell you when they’ve been bitten, and bug bites are annoying and itchy.
What is the best natural protection for ticks and fleas?
You can make your own insect repellent with essential oils and a carrier blend such as fractionated coconut or grape seed oil. Dogs have super sensitive skin so be sure to dilute it more than one you might use on yourself. (For human pest protection visit this post.) Simply add 1 drop of one of the essential oils listed below with 1 ml of carrier oil to help keep bugs from bugging your pet.
Here are some of the oils proven effective to keep pests at bay:
Cedarwood oil- this essential oil kills mosquitoes, fleas and ticks and is non-toxic for dogs. You can apply it to the back of your pup’s head, ears, tail to prevent bites.
Neem oil- According to Dogs Naturally, The National Research Council of Canada found that neem affects more than 200 species of insects, including: mosquitoes, biting flies, sand fleas, and ticks. It is also safe for our canine friends. Apply to shoulder blades, back of his head, ears and tail for protection during mosquito season.
Lemon Eucalyptus- this oil is safe and effective to prevent ticks and mosquito bites for dogs but may not be suitable for cats.
Lavender- naturally repels insects and is calming for pets according to Dr. Axe.
Peppermint- Dr. Axe suggests this as a natural flea remedy for dogs and cats, but the poison pet hotline doesn’t recommend peppermint for cats.
Lemongrass - According to research, this can be a very effective oil as well.
Eucalyptus - The Farmers Almanac supports the use of Eucalyptus and boy do we love the smell of this oil!
You can also combine any of the above oils for a blend as long as they are properly diluted. Below is a recipe for natural flea protection for dogs using essential oils taken from A Comprehensive Guide to the Use of Essential Oils and Hydrosols with Animals.
Flea Free Essential Oil Blend
Try the blend in the image of give this a go!
1 ½ oz base oil such as hazelnut or sweet almond or fractionated coconut oil
4 drops clary sage essential oil
1 drop citronella essential oil
7 drops peppermint essential oil
3 drops lemon essential oil
Blend all oils and store in a dark glass dropper bottle. Apply 2 to 4 drops topically to the neck, chest, legs and base of tail. You can also add the drops to a bandana or cotton collar.
You can use more than one type of oil … but remember to increase the carrier oil for each drop of essential oil you use. Always check with your vet to be sure the oils you choose to use are safe as some are toxic to pets.
Which essential oils are bad for dogs?
The following list of essential oils are toxic to dogs, notes poison pet hotline and should be avoided: Tea Tree Oil, Pennyroyal, Oil of Wintergreen, and Pine Oils. Other sources suggest cinnamon oil, thyme, oil of oregano and clove (all the ‘hot’ oils) should be avoided. But keep mind that most of this testing was done on inferior oils that may have been adulterated. DoTerra essential oils and quality are THE best in the industry and were made to be therapeutic. (not just for scent)
Which essential oils are toxic to cats?
The poison pet hotline says these oils are toxic to cats:
Wintergreen, Oil of sweet birch, Citrus oil (d-limonene), Pine oils, Ylang Ylang oil, Peppermint oil, Cinnamon oil, Pennyroyal oil, Clove oil, Eucalyptus oil, and Tea tree oil.
Ask your holistic vet which essential oils are safe your pet.
How to Naturally Rid your Pet of Fleas
Give Pests a Bath
The AKC suggests one natural flea remedy is an apple cider vinegar bath. Using diluted apple cider vinegar after a walk can remove possible pests such as fleas and ticks on contact.
Here’s how to give your dog an ACV flea bath according to Wagwalking.com:
Protect-Wear long rubber gloves as you wash your dog in the apple cider flea dip you prepare to keep fleas off of you.
Mix- two parts warm water with two parts apple cider vinegar with a quarter cup to a half cup of dish soap into a tub in preparation for your dog’s bath.
Dip and bathe- Place your dog in the bath water and rub the water mixture all over your dog’s fur. Try to cover as much of your dog with the solution as you can.
Lather- Avoid getting the soapy apple cider vinegar water in your dog’s eyes, but do not avoid his face. If he has live fleas, they will move to safer places such as the face if it is not covered in the apple cider solution.
Wait- Keep your dog calm while he stays as deep as he can in the solution for ten minutes. Use a flea comb to comb out any fleas coming to the surface. You may want to have a dog treat handy to reward your pup for his patience.
Rinse- Your dog with warm clear water to remove the soap and remaining fleas. To help repel future fleas, rinse your dog again in a clear water and apple cider vinegar blend.
Treat- Spray a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water in a glass spray bottle to treat any fleas you see after your dog’s apple cider vinegar flea dip.
Dry- Towel dry your dog and brush his fur. Use the flea comb again to pull out any more fleas.
What do I do if my pet gets a tick?
According to AKC, the quicker you remove a tick, the less likely your dog will contract a secondary illness related to tick bites. They suggest using a pair of fine tweezers or a tick removal tool and to wear gloves. Remove the tick by the head. If you are unable to remove the tick, call your veterinarian. For more details on the best and proper way to remove a tick from your pet go here.
What to avoid when treating your pets with natural insect repellent:
Direct skin contact- always dilute essential oils and place in fur between shoulder blades, on tail, behind the ears, and under arms. These areas are favourites for ticks but not necessarily parts your pet can lick.
Garlic- some people ingest garlic to keep insects at bay and it may be effective insect repellant for humans but it is toxic to dogs!
Essential Oils that are toxic to pets- avoid oils that aren’t recommended and if in doubt consult your holistic vet. We love Do Terra’s Holistic Vet Advisory Board.
Hopefully by using some of the tips above, your pets can avoid nasty bites naturally this summer and you can enjoy the great outdoors together.
If you don’t have time to make your own Pet Spray, message me here and I’ll make one for you!
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