Joe/Dawn - Dr. Pitcairn's book, http://www.drpitcairn.com/books/pitcairn_book.html, covers a lot in non-toxic preventions and treatments for all types of parasites. Maybe you want to look into finding that book? I found it at a local health foods store for $10! Great deal!
Mochi started itching a lot after putting Advantix on him. I washed it off right away. He does ok on Frontline. I normally put tea tree oil on him (and myself sometimes). I'm thinking about getting that book, Jen. My mom is a vet but unfortunately she lives in Europe. She is very much into Alternative medicine/Homeopathy, etc. I hate all that commercial anti flea/tick stuff but we hike a lot so I have to put something on Mochi. What do you put on your dogs?
I started using rose geranium oil diluted with jojoba on the girls collars about a week ago and *knocking on wood* haven't had a tick since. Prior to that I had found about half a dozen.
That is exactly the mixture I use, Jess. For myself I add lavender oil as geranium is STRONG! I've also given my "tick magnet" aka Kitsune a tablet of brewer's yeast/garlic (by Castor&Pollux) daily. Tsuki gets one every other day if I remember. She's not had one bug yet.
We tried eucalyptus and that was stinky oh my gosh stinky! And we tried lemon juice which calls all bugs for miles..
I was talking to my husband about the geranium/jojoba oil mix and even price wise it's worth it! Frontline and the like can get really expensive. Although I must admit I don't put that on every single month as it is pretty toxic. I do check Mochi for ticks and fleas. Now I'm seriously thinking about buying the two oils mentioned to create the same mixture. Lavender oil sounds good too. I will have to look into brewer's yeast/garlic tablets. Thanks for the advice!
Wow... I wrote that after a few mojitos with no typos!
Some caution: brewers yeast in excess may increase the chance in yeast infection (growth). Garlic in excess can cause anemia. Do not exceed the suggested daily dose per pound on the tablet label. I give 1/2 the suggested dose to be safe.
The Oils: There is a 'recipe' you can try first as the geranium is strong (not as strong as eucalyptus though!) for both you and your dog: - Geranium Essential Oil + Lavender Essential Oil + Peppermint Essential Oil + Lemongrass Essential Oil. Mix a few drops of each to a carrier (water or jojoba oil) and spray on dog's coat evenly [and spray on your clothing].
I buy the Aura Cacia oils (100% pure, sometimes organic) from my local health food store.
Jen, with the oils, how often do you spray the dogs? Every time you go out, every week? I am very much interested in using something other than Frontline. And I am not sure how they would handle the brewer's yeast/garlic.
I only spray them before we go somewhere where the threat of ticks is high, like the state parks or through a field. So, not every day but a few times a week when its needed.
Instead of opening a new thread, figure I'd post in this one.
Tis the season for fleas, and it's worse for Tikaani than Tetsu. Constant scratching and chewing, and now he's starting to form some small scabs and thin spots on his rump. Have given them both Frontline Plus, but it doesn't usually come into effect until second dose.
Now with this in his system, I'm a bit uneasy putting more poisons and pesticides (such as flea killer shampoo sold at Petco) in his system and was wondering if there is a more holistic or safer approach to help assist the Frontlines killing capability. And does the repellent oils mentioned above work just for ticks or both fleas and ticks?
Or do you think it's not that big a deal if I bathe him with regular flea shampoo?
i think he means the shootag above..it looks like it's some sort of a radio frequency type pendant....while frontline is working perhaps just try to pull off as much as you can and avoid shrubbery (sorry bad spelling)? *shrugs* this info with the EPA is new to me, but not unexpected, as my old dog had a pretty bad reaction and Shao New is getting better wtih Frontline...
My mom does Skin So Soft from Avon. Now it is perfumey, but it works and none of her animals have had any reaction to it. A vet like 20 years ago taught her that.
Comments
The Shoo!Tag
http://www.thesafepetshop.com/
I'm skeptical to say the least.
http://www.shootag.com/
I've also given my "tick magnet" aka Kitsune a tablet of brewer's yeast/garlic (by Castor&Pollux) daily. Tsuki gets one every other day if I remember. She's not had one bug yet.
We tried eucalyptus and that was stinky oh my gosh stinky! And we tried lemon juice which calls all bugs for miles..
and http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Herbal-Handbook-Dog-Cat/dp/0571161154/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b
for geraniums
Some caution: brewers yeast in excess may increase the chance in yeast infection (growth). Garlic in excess can cause anemia. Do not exceed the suggested daily dose per pound on the tablet label. I give 1/2 the suggested dose to be safe.
The Oils: There is a 'recipe' you can try first as the geranium is strong (not as strong as eucalyptus though!) for both you and your dog:
- Geranium Essential Oil + Lavender Essential Oil + Peppermint Essential Oil + Lemongrass Essential Oil. Mix a few drops of each to a carrier (water or jojoba oil) and spray on dog's coat evenly [and spray on your clothing].
I buy the Aura Cacia oils (100% pure, sometimes organic) from my local health food store.
Tis the season for fleas, and it's worse for Tikaani than Tetsu. Constant scratching and chewing, and now he's starting to form some small scabs and thin spots on his rump. Have given them both Frontline Plus, but it doesn't usually come into effect until second dose.
Now with this in his system, I'm a bit uneasy putting more poisons and pesticides (such as flea killer shampoo sold at Petco) in his system and was wondering if there is a more holistic or safer approach to help assist the Frontlines killing capability. And does the repellent oils mentioned above work just for ticks or both fleas and ticks?
Or do you think it's not that big a deal if I bathe him with regular flea shampoo?