With flea and tick season in full swing, you may be wondering how to keep your four-legged friend free from these pesky critters without relying on chemical-based preventatives.
Many people unknowingly pollute their home environments and compromise the health of their dogs with commercial flea and tick remedies.
Fortunately, there are natural alternatives that are much better for the environment, your dog, and the rest of your family.
Flea and tick prevention takes a comprehensive approach.
You will need to think of the areas that your dog roams and lives in addition to protecting your dog's body.
For instance, if your dog regularly spends time in your backyard, apply cedar mulch as a natural repellant.
Cedar mulch applied to your garden beds or around an enclosure that your pet spends time in is a great way to create a natural barrier for fleas and ticks.
If you have a dog, or any other pet for that matter, it is important to vacuum every other day during flea and tick season.
This will minimize the number of fleas, eggs, and larvae in your home.
Mop and clean other areas of your home in order to get rid of any critters and possible food sources.
Wash pet bedding regularly, and be sure to wash your own bedding, rugs, and other items in your home where fleas and ticks may reside.
An effective trick is to add a touch of eucalyptus oil to the last rinse cycle whenever washing linens or bedding.
Be aware that many essential oils are toxic to cats.
Perform a regular flea and tick check on your dog.
You can do this visually on the areas where you can see the skin.
Common areas for fleas and ticks on a dog's body include behind the ears, under the legs, around the mouth or anus, and on the belly.
Otherwise, a good technique is to run a flea comb through your dog's fur.
If the comb is full of tiny dots that look like pepper, it is likely that your dog has fleas.
You can make a simple homemade flea spray using water and lemon (or lime).
In a saucepan, add two cups of water with a slice of lemon, bring to a boil, turn off heat, and then let mixture steep overnight.
Pour mixture into a spray bottle and apply to your dog in the armpit area, around the base of the tail, and behind the ears.