| A large number of pets in America today are | | | | One pet forum reader says the following spray for |
| subjected to chemicals which can harm and actually | | | | dogs doesn't just repel the insects - she finds them |
| kill. Those chemicals are found in the topical flea and | | | | dead. (This one shouldn't be used on cats as they |
| tick medications pushed by veterinarians, sold in pet | | | | react differently to essential oils.) |
| shops everywhere, and promoted on line.They're also | | | | Add 8 or 9 drops of each of the following essential |
| found in flea soaps that can be found on grocery | | | | oils to a 24-oz. spray bottle filled with water. |
| store shelves. If you read the fine print you'll see a | | | | - Tea Tree |
| warning - don't get this stuff on your own skin. Not | | | | - Rosemary |
| even the soap suds. | | | | - Sage (any kind) |
| Think about that. You put it on your pets and it | | | | - Cedarwood |
| travels to their skin to repel and kill fleas. When you | | | | - Peppermint |
| pet those dogs and cats aren't you (and maybe your | | | | - Sweet Orange |
| small children) getting it into your own systems? Even | | | | - Eucalyptus |
| if these chemicals don't hurt your pets, they might | | | | - Citronella |
| hurt you! | | | | - Pine Needle. |
| Just like humans, some pets handle chemicals well, | | | | Another reader shared her recipe: She boils the rind |
| while others suffer from severe reactions. The one | | | | of |
| time that my dogs picked up fleas our vet treated all | | | | - 1 Orange |
| three - and while two of them were fine, the Blue | | | | - 1 Grapefruit |
| Heeler scratched until he bled for a full month.What a | | | | - 1 Lemon |
| relief when that stuff finally worked its way out of | | | | - 1 Lime |
| his system. | | | | - and a handful of Rosemary |
| But Pepper's problem was minor. Some dogs and | | | | After boiling let it steep overnight, then strain into a |
| cats have been reported to simply stop breathing or | | | | sprayer bottle. |
| go into convulsions after application of products for | | | | To prevent fleas on both cats and dogs, plant |
| flea and tick removal. | | | | Pennyroyal and/or catnip in areas where they walk |
| Because I'd never subject my dogs to this threat | | | | and lay. Just rubbing against this plant will give them a |
| again, I started looking for natural alternatives, and | | | | repellent coat. Be careful where you plant this, |
| did find some all natural products on the market. But | | | | however. It grows and spreads like a weed. Both of |
| I found even more. I found other concerned pet | | | | these plants will help deter mosquitoes - so are |
| lovers willing to share their natural, home-made | | | | helpful when planted aside your patio. |
| recipes for flea removal. | | | | Before you use any chemical on your pets, for insect |
| One such remedy is to use Diatomaceous Earth or | | | | control or for de-worming - do take the time to |
| Borax, worked down into carpets and on door sills to | | | | research. And do make yourself familiar with the |
| kill the fleas in the house. Let this sit for several | | | | symptoms of allergic reaction, so you can take action |
| hours and then vacuum up any powder that's loose. | | | | fast in an emergency situation. |