| Unwelcome Lodgers - An Itchy problem! |  |
Most pets, at some time in their lives, will be visited by external parasites such as fleas and ticks. Although there are many chemically prepared products on the market, these can contain toxic elements, which with repeated use could have an effect on pets with a weak immune system. Many flea treatments can also aggravate asthma.
A lot of pet owners are now looking for an alternative, natural product that will not be harmful to their pets. The following information should give worried owners some ideas of the different things they can do to help an itchy problem.
Fleas
Though natural remedies will not necessarily kill fleas there is a lot you can do to help prevent them in the first place.
Although fleas can affect any pet, they seem to prefer animals in poor health with weak immune systems. They tend to be more prevalent in warmer weather, so check your pet regularly during the summer months. If you see your pet scratching, chewing or licking at his coat, check for fleas.
If you have a light coloured animal you can sometimes see the flea dirt, which is black and dust like. Some animals have an allergic reaction to fleas, causing red sore skin.
- A natural preservative free diet can help your pet's general health, which in turn helps to fight off infection. Raw Garlic is one of the best anti-parasitic treatments and also helps to support the immune system. This can be given in tablet form, which is usually easier than trying to give a garlic clove.
- Fleas don't like the pungent odour of garlic, so Liquid Garlic can be used to comb through your pet's coat to combat this problem. Brewer's yeast has also been found to be effective as a natural flea powder if rubbed through your pet's coat
- Aromatherapy oils such as lavender, lemon and peppermint can help to deter fleas. You can make up a spray bottle diluted in water and spray this on to your pet's bedding and fur. Other useful oils are Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree and Citronella. These oils can be diluted in a carrier oil and massaged onto the neck, behind the ears and at the base of the tail. A couple of drops on to your pets collar gives you a good home made flea-collar.
- Fleas don't particularly like a clean coat, so shampooing regularly helps to prevent infestation. Pennyroyal Shampoo contains essential oils that have a strong minty aroma. This has been used since Roman times to ward off parasites. In the shampoo it acts to deter fleas and mites from cats and dogs.
- Essential Oil Shampoo contains Lavender, Cedarwood, Birch and Seaweed to condition the coat and repel fleas
- If there are fleas present, regular grooming with a special flea comb is a must. Thoroughly groom your pet from top to bottom, combing your essential oils through as you go. It is better to do this outside so that the fleas don't drop on to your flooring.
- Bach Flower remedy Crab Apple is useful for "unclean" animals. It is effective on animals with fleas, ticks, insect bites, or that tend to attract fleas and parasites
- Homeopathic remedies such as pulex, can be used for flea allergies and infestations. Sulphur for where the skin is severely itch, red, dry and smelly.
- If your pet is showing signs of flea-bite allergy, where the skin is damaged, irritated and sore, it can be soothed using a Comfrey and Calendula Skin Balm. Hot Itch Lotion can be used to soothe and cool where the skin is red and hot. Aloe Vera Gel can also act as a cooler and soother
Household cleaning
If your pet has fleas, you can be sure that there will be eggs and larvae in the areas that your pet sleeps or lies. Therefore it is extremely important that you regularly clean and vacuum your house, and put your pets bedding into the wash to interrupt the flea's breeding pattern
Ticks
Ticks are parasites that are most normally found in rural areas, where they infest livestock. So if you are walking your dog in the country, it is wise to check him over on your return. Ticks are definitely unwelcome lodgers that burrow their heads into the skin of your pet and feed on the blood. They usually start off fairly small, but can grow up to half an inch as they become swollen with blood. They are bean shaped and dark in appearance. When they are small it is easy to mistake them for a skin tag, but you can easily see their little legs on the underneath part of the body
Once they have eaten their full they usually fall off. However tick bites can easily become infected, so they are best removed as soon as you notice them. It is important to remove the whole tick, making sure the head is not left in the animal, as this could cause infection.
There are natural tick drops available containing Tea Tree, Cedar Wood and Lavender. This is dropped directly on to the tick so that it is entirely covered. After a couple of days the tick should release its grip and be easily removed using a tick picker, or tweezers. The tick picker is a device for removing ticks to ensure that the head is not left in the animal.
- Covering the tick in Vaseline apparently has a similar effect as the tick drops
- After the tick is removed, the area should be sprayed or dabbed with Tea Tree Oil to help prevent any infection
- Regular inspection of your pet's coat and skin should help to keep these pests at a minimum
If you are still having difficulties, you may need expert help from a behaviourist, who can provide you with more detailed advice and guidance.
Please ring us if you have any questions, or see our website www.k9centre.co.uk
Carol Martin (AACC)
Edmiston House
Nethermill
DUMFRIES
DG1 3NG
Tel: 01387 860322
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