How to Rid Your Dogs of Fleas Without Medicine

Fleas can pose serious health problems for man's best friend and it's easy to understand why concerned pet owners might turn to the most obvious means of flea control--chemical pesticides. But according to the "Mother Earth News" article, Natural Flea Control by Christime Makowski, DVM, using chemicals for flea control causes our pets to suffer twice as "they're chewed on by fleas, and they're used as battleground for the chemical warfare being waged by their owners." Fortunately, there are several proven ways to rid your dog of fleas without using chemical medicines.

Instructions
 1 Bathe and groom your dog. Check for live fleas and flea feces or "flea dirt" which are small black particles often found around the base of the tail. If you find evidence of these parasites, try a natural method before resorting to potentially harmful pesticides.

 2 Mix a few drops of eucalyptus oil in a spray bottled filled with water. (You should not apply the pure essential oil of eucalyptus directly to your dog's skin or coat.) After a bath, spritz the dog with the water/oil mixture. Also, a few drops of eucalyptus oil can be rubbed into your pet's collar as a flea preventative. Bath products made with eucalyptus are also found to be effective.

3 Powder the dog's fur with diatomaceous earth (DE). DE is microscopic fossilized algae that looks like chalk dust, but actually retains its sharp edges as it fossilizes. (It's often used in swimming pool filtration.) When the infested dog's fur is lightly powdered with diatomaceous earth, these sharp edges penetrate the flea's exoskeleton, causing the parasites to literally dry up and die. Diatomaceous earth is economical and readily available at most garden stores and pool supply shops

Tips & Warnings

• Don't forget to wash your dog's bedding and toys if you are battling a flea infestation. Wash them with regular detergent and the hottest water possible then tumble dry on hot heat.
• Check with your breed specifications for recommended bathing as some dogs have sensitive skin that can be irritated by over-bathing.
• In large amounts, eucalyptus oil can be toxic to your pet so don't allow them to chew on any product that may contain eucalyptus oil, leaves or pods.
• DE is a known carcinogen, so use it sparingly and dispose of it properly.