BLOOD SUCKING MONSTERS...Safe, Natural Flea Repellents

By Katy Cable-TWR-A 3 Min Read
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Fleas suck! -Pun intended! Unlike bees that pollinate our planet and keep us alive, or ants who are brilliant little armies of team players, capable of carrying an entire picnic a GA-ZILLION times their own size and body weight on their tiny backs, what purpose do fleas and ticks serve anyway?

Here in Southern California fleas can be year-round invaders. Although the dog days of summer are over, your pup may still be wearing more than a cute collar and bandana. Right now, no matter where you live, chances are these blood sucking monsters are just waiting to spread like wildfire on your pet.

When I rescued my current Pug Olive she was on Revolution, a monthly flea and heart-worm preventative I have used successfully in the past. Although Olive doesn't have fleas, she did suffer a terrible allergic reaction to a flea bite. I raced a sneezing, coughing, incessantly itching Olive to the vet. Upon examination, the vet discovered red bumps all over her and was convinced it was an allergic reaction to a flea bite. I couldn't see how that was possible as she was on flea prevention. The vet explained that even with protection, fleas can jump on and bite a pet before dying. If a pet is allergic, that's all it takes.

After Olive's incident, I am extremely diligent about washing her and keeping fleas away. I have discovered some excellent natural alternatives to products containing harsh chemicals. I currently apply organic coconut oil to Olive's coat. It acts as both a great moisturizer and flea repellent. I also make sure to bathe her following adventures where she may have been exposed to fleas. I am SO happy I made the smart decision to replace all my carpets with wood and tile flooring and “knock-on-wood”, haven't had any flea problems.

Believe me, it's much easier to keep fleas away in the first place than it is to get those pests to leave once they've invaded. My advice, use something strong and powerful to kill them then hopefully you can lighten up and use some natural, less toxic remedies to keep them at bay.

This does bring up a good point: It certainly doesn't have to be a harsh, toxic chemical for your pet to have a horrific reaction. Just like a human who can't touch a strawberry or a peanut. -Be it an unsalted raw one or a Reese's cup, pets too can have adverse reactions or even die from wholesome, organic products if they happen to be allergic. Before trying ANY product or food, I urge you to first research it. Check out the company, the ingredients, and where it's produced. Talk to trusted vets and pet parents and always test it out with a very small amount first.

So while natural products are usually preferred, even those can have disastrous outcomes if your pet has the rare allergy. Also fleas, ticks and other parasites may be resistant to some natural, less intense repellents and your pet won't be protected. Hopefully you can try a few of these tips and find a perfect, less toxic balance. And, as always, a clean healthy pet with a strong immune system will naturally repel more parasites than a sickly one. That starts and finishes with a nutritious, balanced diet 😃.

Every flea season I consult with frustrated pet parents looking for flea repellent shampoos. I always advise against strong, harsh, shampoos loaded with chemicals. Any soap and water will kill and remove fleas. For heavy infestations. Here's a recipe for a gentle, non-toxic, flea repelling shampoo you can make at home. I use this on my shelter/rescue dogs who typically come in poor shape infested with fleas. Again, always sample a small amount first to check for adverse reactions.

🐞ALL-NATURAL FLEA BUSTER SHAMPOO:
​Slice 1/2 lemon and add to 1 Cup boiling water.
Stir for 5 minutes then remove from heat, steep and cool.
Remove lemon parts, drain juice into large canning jar or bottle.
​Add 2/3 Cup Dr Bronner's Purecastle Soap
Add 1/2 cup Apple cider vinegar
1 TBS organic coconut oil
15 drops pure organic lavender oil
Mix together and WASH your PUP!

In addition, here are some recommendations for healthy flea/tick control:

🐾Remember, there is simply no chemical based pest control pill, dip, solution, shampoo, or collar that is without the potential for side effects. Just because a compound is applied to or worn on your pet’s fur doesn’t mean it’s completely safe. Remember: what goes ON your pet goes IN your pet, by absorption through the skin.

• If You Must Use a Chemical Pest Preventive, Here Are Some Tips for Reducing the Risk to Your Pet

1. Be very careful to follow dosing directions on the label, and if your pet is at the low end of a dosage weight range, step down to the next lowest dosage. Be extremely cautious with small dogs, especially if you own one of the breeds reported to be at high risk for adverse reactions. And do not under any circumstances apply dog product to your cat. Or vice-versa.
2. Monitor your pet for adverse reactions after you apply a chemical product – especially when using one for the first time.
3. Your pet’s liver will be on over-drive due to the flood of chemicals that make it into the bloodstream, it can be very beneficial to give your dog or cat a supplement of milk thistle to help detoxify their liver. These will help regenerate liver cells. You need to consult with a holistic/integrated vet for proper dosage. I use 1/4 tsp. for a 15lb dog.
4. Don’t depend exclusively on chemical treatments. Rotate natural preventives containing lavender, peppermint, geranium, lemongrass, cedar oil/or citronella. These are very effective as parasite deterrents. Many pet stores carry natural products with these blends. An every other month rotation works well for many pet owners. In many parts of the country owners find they can successfully control ticks with 2 doses a year: one in the spring and one in the late summer.
5. Apply liberal amounts of coconut oil to belly and rear-end. This is a natural flea repellent. -And moisturizer.
6. A great NATURAL, SAFE flea deterrent is to boil rosemary and lemon slices for 5 min. In a saucepan filled with water. Remove from heat and let sit overnight covered. Drain water into a spray bottle and fill 1/2 way. Add organic apple cider vinegar to the other half of bottle. Spray on pet AVOIDING FACE before heading outside.
7. Wash/wipe off your dog’s hind quarters after coming in from a walk outdoors. Use a flea comb to remove any fleas they may have picked up.

​Hopefully, with some easy tips, going forward, blood-sucking monsters will not be a bother and your pet can manage on safer, natural remedies! Pugs and kisses!🐾💕

🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾