Have you considered Natural Flea Repellents for Dogs and Cats? Sourcing an effective and safe deterrent for your family pet is important for their overall comfort and for your peace-of-mind. Consider a natural and non-toxic option for cats and dogs...
One of the key factors in flea prevention is the overall health and immune system of your dog or cat to ensure fleas are kept to a minimum. However on occasions, even healthy dogs and cats may become hosts to fleas.
Fleas are highly productive and one female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day, mostly in the environment; with a few laid on your pet which can fall off in your home. Their life cycle can be as long as several months and they can survive the winter months outdoors or indoors, even if the home is not kept particularly warm, to cause re-infestation in Spring and Summer. Consider Biospotix Indoor Flea Spray to help eliminate adult fleas, lavae from your pet's environment.
Natural methods of flea prevention can play a key role in helping your dog and cat with flea prevention and resisting fleas naturally.
So what can you do?
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These days with centrally heated houses and disturbed weather patterns there isn't really a distinct "flea season". Check daily for fleas and ticks on the skin. Grooming regularly and diligently using a fine flea-comb to help find fleas in your pets fur and skin.
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Your pet's overall health plays a key role in flea prevention. Offer a stress-free environment and support your pets immunity by feeding a natural, high quality, species appropriate diet and by following a healthy lifestyle, to build up your pet’s health and resistance.
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It isn't sufficient to think that by protecting your pet from fleas that the problem is solved. Fleas love a warm home. Keep the home environment clean by ensuring floors are vacuumed and your pet's bed linen and toys are washed frequently at a hot temperature and dry on maximum heat. Regular cleaning is important as it interrupts the life cycle of the flea. Steam cleaning at the correct temperature may be effective at killing flea eggs. Avoid chemical cleaners in the home which can all affect your pet's immune load.
At Healthful Pets we sell a range of natural flea repellents which are all gentle on dogs and cats and free of chemicals.
At Healthful Pets we sell a variety of all-natural flea & tick repellents containing only natural ingredients and essential oils rather than toxic chemicals. These work on the basis that the fleas and ticks do not like the strong smelling essentail oils.
Please note that some flea products are NOT suitable for cats due to the essential oils that they contain, so please check carefully if you have a cat.
The different types you can purchase include:-
- Spot-ons
- Collars
- Sprays
- Supplements which can be added to your pets food, including granules, powders, herbs and tinctures.
- Shampoos
Spot-ons
Many customers purchase spot on flea repellents as they are easy to apply, in just the right place to ensure efficacy and mess-free administration. These are typically applied to either the back of the neck or down the neck and spine of your pet. These products use essential oils, such as neen, geraniol, eucalyptus or ingredients such as quassia bark or lemongrass to naturally repel fleas and ticks.
Brands include
1. The Neem Team Neem Shield Spot on with sweet almond oil, Black seed oil, Neem seed oil, Vitamin E oil, Catnip, Eucalyptus, Bergamot and Rosemary essential oils
2. Mr Slobberchops Natural Flea Spot On for Dogs is a mix of pure essential oils with oils of lemongrass 3%, eucalyptus 3%, peppermint 3% and lavender 1%
3. Biospotix Spot On for Dogs and Biospotix Spot-Ons for Cats use geraniol for natural flea repellent ( suitable for kittens over 3 months).
4. Biospotix also have Dermocare Spot On which is a multi-action skin care product line called for both cats and dogs. These contain less flea repellent ingredients but have the addition of other ingredients to soothe the skin for sensitive pets. These contain a blend of Aloe Vera, Evening Primrose Oil and Organic Tamanu Oil (for its soothing, protective and anti- bacterial properties) and a complex of Essential Oils (Citronella, Tea Tree and Rosemary) which act as a natural insect (fleas, ticks and mosquitos). These do not contain geraniol. This range is ideal for helping with skin and coat problems but can also be used as a natural insect repellent for sensitive cats and dogs or for those times of the year when fleas and ticks are less prolific.
5. Diet' Dog Flea / Tick Defence Drops for Dogs containing eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, cedarwood, geranium, nutmeg, basil, pine, peppermint, thuja, garlic and juniper.
6. The Holistic Hound Don't Bug Me Spot On 50ml this product is licensed and is a winner of the Pet Industry Federation Innovation Award!
Flea Repellent Collars
Flea collars are long-lasting and easy to apply to most pets. They can also be one of the cheaper flea repellenent options out there, depending on the brand and frequency that you need to use them. They work by releasing active ingredients over a period of time. They are adjustable or can be cut to size and water resistant, so ideal for dogs that like to take a dip and go swimming.
Some cat owners can be concerned that a collar may get caught as the cat scrambles through bracken and up trees. Biospotix have addressed this concern by including an anti-strangle feature into their product, as shown below.
Brands include
1.Mr Slobberchops Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs
2. Biospotix collars for dogs and for cats and Biospotix Repellent Collars for small to medium dogs and large dogs and cats
3. Dermocare+ collars can be used in conjunction with the dermocare spot on. They are available in both for small to medium dogs and large dogs and for cats
Natural Repellent Sprays
Sprays form a protective film over your pets coat to repell fleas. They work immediately and usually give protection for up to 48 hours. This can be either used by itself or if fleas are particularly prolific, it can be used in conjunction with a spot on or collar to give added protection.
Brands include
- Biospotix Flea Repellent Spray for Cats and Biospotix Natural Flea & Tick Spray Repellent for Dogs
- The Neem Team The Neem Shield Spray for Dogs
- Nature's Greatest Secret All Natural Colloidal Silver Tick & Flea Repellent for Pets 250ml
- Mr Slobberchops Don't Bug Me Now Spray for Dogs 250ml
- Diet' Dog Flea & Tick Defence Spray for Dogs (50ml)
- CSJ Skinny Spray for Dogs 250ml
- Wildwash Summer Spray Flea & Bug Repellent for Dogs and Horses 300ml
- Cedarcide Original Bug Spray and Repellent
- Cedarcide Tickshield Extra Strength for Larger dogs over 9kg
- Natural Enzymes KG Pet Spray for mange, fleas, ticks, mites and itchy skin
Supplements which can be added to your pets food
Supplements for fleas can come in the form of liquids, granules, powders or herbs which can be added to yout pets food. Supplements are easy to use and adminster but can take up to 6 weeks for full effectiveness. Some are added daily, some for a few consecutive days each month. It is also often recommended that pets take a break over the winter months and start afresh in early spring to ensure the efficacy of supplement for when it is most needed.
Brands include
1. Diet’ Dog Go Away! Fleas and Ticks are sprinkles which can be used for both cats and dogs
2. CSJ Billy No Mates is a herbal supplement for dogs. It is a totally natural mix of mint, lemon balm, fenugreek, seaweed and neem leaves
3. CSJ Billy No Mates tincture is an easy to use liquid which can be added to your dogs drinking water or food.
4. Mr Slobberchops Don't Bug Me Now Food Supplement is specially formulated specifically work on supporting a dogs immune system to manage internal & external parasites.
5. ProDog Repel Flea, Tick, Worm Repellent Supplement for Dogs
6. Proflax Keep Off Me! powder for dogs and Proflax Keep Off Me tincture
7. Verm-x Flea & Tick Powder for dogs
8. The Neam Team Neem Shield Herbs for dogs
9. Herbal Dog Company Flea Blend for Dogs & Puppies
Natural flea-control shampoos
Finally there are natural, non-toxic shampoos which help to repel insects and can be used in conjunction with other methods for extra protection.
Brands include
1. Biospotix Fleas Away Dog Shampoo
2. CSJ Skinny Dip Shampoo containing neem
3. Wildwash Pro Summer Shampoo for dogs and horses, a blend of plants and herbs uses ingredients such as Horsetail, Eucalyptus and Nettle
4. WildWash PET Buzz Off Flea Shampoo for Dogs 250ml
5. Natures Greatest Secret Colloidal Silver Tick and Flea Pet Care Shampoo Repellent for cats and Dogs
6 KG Wash Go pet-shampoo-for mange fleas ticks mites and itchy skin for cats and dogs
7. The Neem Team Neem Shield Shampoo for Dogs
Sprays that be used indoors to spray on bedding
As approx. 95% of fleas are in the environment, it is important to break the life cycle of the flea and make sure that the environment is kept free of fleas and their eggs.
Products to consider include:-
- Biospotix Indoor Flea Spray
- The Neem Team Shield (Wipe Out) Household Flea Spray
- Natural Enzymes Cedarcide Spray
- The Clay Cure Diatom Nutri Pet for Dogs and Cats
- Pure Vet Products, De Flea
- Pure Vet products De Neem
Please do a patch test and see any special notes / precautions regarding application when considering options for the home.
As always, it is always important to speak with your veterinarian if you have a dog or cat with seizures before introducing new products into their environment as some essential oils are not suitable in these instances.
Please find our full range of Flea Products
Check out specific details and dosages on our website. Not all products are suitable for cats as they contain essential oils. Read product labels carefully as it may be necessary to consult your veterinarian.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of this article or have any questions, then please contact us on: 01565 740 777