Hi Doc Greg,
Fantastic book, I blogged all about it and put in on Facebook and Twitter and your FB wall too.
I have a question for you. It seems my Golden Retriever Koa who is almost 6 months old has a flea sensitivity allergy to fleas, I am being diligent about using non toxic chemical free ways to combat the fleas (on his coat and in his diet both) but still 1 flea bites him and he is in much discomfort I am finding out recently..poor boy what do you use on your dogs to combat fleas? Thanks for your advice on this.
Sophie Robbins,
Pet Lifestyle Expert & Animal Communication Specialist
Sophie,
Saw all of your wonderful testimonials to my book. Thanks so much.
I used to use Advantage monthly, then as needed when I see fleas, however now I haven’t needed flea control in over a year for my three cats or three dogs.
There is an oral flea medication called Comfortis (which reduces topical exposure to humans) ,and did you know you can use a large tube of advantage and split it up between dogs and cats (advantix cannot be used on cats). I no longer use or advise flea control all the time, unless in a high density flea or tick area. I now recommend flea control medication for a few months straight during your area’s flea season.
Natural products include citrus sprays, flea egg eating nematodes, and food grade diatomaceous earth.
Food grade diatomaceous earth (pool grade diatomaceous earth is not healthy for lungs) cuts and dehydrates flea larvae in a short time. Food grade diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled on your home carpeting, in cracks and corners, and applied to pets bedding, and under cushions in furniture.
Nematodes are tiny worms that are predators of baby fleas and other pests. They help control infestation in your yard and garden.You can buy them on-line and apply them to flea infested areas.
When you feed your animals differently and their skin and coat looks and feels better, it may be better able to repel fleas. With more skin oils from increased omegas in the Dog Dish Diet, my dogs coat smells different and I wonder if the body makes a natural repellent. Millions of years of a parasite and host interacting would certainly provoke natural defenses from the skin. I think a diet with healthy oils may help the skin defend against fleas. The musk we smell may be a natural, healthy, oily defense against parasites.
I have had many clients tell me that adding garlic to the diet helps control fleas and ticks on their pets.The dose is 1/4 medium clove for a small dog, 1/2 clove for a medium and large dog several times a week. Garlic is often listed as a toxic product, and it may be in large amounts,but small amounts in the food are healthy and helpful.
Dr Greg
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for posting this information on your blog in regard to my flea question. Fleas are downright evil to our furry friends and we must eliminate the fleas but with careful consideration in regards to the safety of our pets and ourselves at the same time. Not easy, especially when you have a dog with sensitivity to fleas and live in a high density flea area such as in the southern states where we are at this time. I too have found when residing in cooler and moist climates there is not much need for flea control products to be used on your pets. I am very concerned with the dangers of the chemicals used in flea products as well; all the warnings, etc. However, dealing with a pup who has recently been hosting what seems like a flea circus is no fun! I am going to have to use a one month flea treatment and see how this helps rid the evil flea clowns! I do not like their act one bit and neither does my poor puppy!
Funny you mention the scent of the dogs skin with proper diet may act as a natural repellent to fleas as I also wanted to discuss this with you! I too have noticed a change in my dogs scent since his adoption…he went from being fed a combo of his mothers milk and commercial dry kibble for his 1st 7 weeks of his life then into my home where he has never seen dry kibble since his adoption (I feed the dog dish diet to him) and now he is 6 months old. He is a Golden Retriever but lately I have been wondering if he is part hound cause of the musky scent I am picking up from time to time! I am trying to figure out if it is the natural diet I am feeding him or perhaps something else. It seems all my natural methods were working to keep the fleas at bay until now! Interesting to note that less then 1 month after entering our home he developed superficial puppy pyoderma but I was advised by our local vet this had nothing to do with fleas nor diet but instead it was his young immune system. The pyoderma returned after treatment and so the vet and I both agree it is probably allergies so I made a few slight changes in the real food diet as well as treats were limited and screened for ingredients, in fact I made my own dog treats just to be sure and observe for food allergies! My pup has been on antihistamine and anti-biotics on and off since I adopted him 4 months ago all the while still receiving his homemade prepared meals and no sign of flea problems. However, it seems the last couple days the flea circus has come to town and set up their big tent and is conducting an entire flea family trapeze show on his tail and hind area! That flea circus is getting an eviction notice soon! I just need to decide which flea product to use to be safe. He is already on Heartguard monthly prevention. I treat my yard naturally with Food Safe Diatomaceous Earth and Nematodes, and have wood & tile floors in the house and so he is picking up the fleas in the woods on our daily hikes no doubt! He even swims in our clean lake and gets rinsed off after each swim. I am just wondering if I am doing everything possible to help my puppy dog with his apparent skin sensitivities and while he is growing trying to build his immune system up to all the pollens, grasses, parasites, etc. in the world! I sure hope he builds up a defense against evil flea clowns soon!
Sounds like you are doing everything you can without resorting to sterilizing pesticides. A pest control guy knocked on my door the other day and said,”you know you have spiders?” I offered to show him my compost pile with its vast number of workers, and the black widow in my garage. I said,”I like spiders, they weave beautiful webs and help us control flying insect populations” He probably thought…weird old guy
Dr. Greg,
I saw your presentation at Book Shop Santa Cruz on Wed night and wanted to approach you after the Q&A, but my friend needed to leave so I didn’t get the opportunity. I’d like to exchange some information about a possible network available for your book and your tips through a friend’s business. Please contact me at my email address if you’re interested.
Thanks,
Toni
PS – Great job Wed!!
Toni sent you an email and my phone number. Give me a ring