Both the dogs are having ticks and fleas problem lately – something that I really hate. I’ve just had this with them about a month or two ago, and I thought I’ve killed all the little buggers. This problem is so much difficult to handle when they are outdoor dogs.
I don’t quite like using chemicals on them. I know I’m mostly the as-natural-as-possible type a.k.a vet’s enemy (I haven’t found a vet who totally like my idea, yet), and I just couldn’t get myself to use those heavily-poisoned drugs on them. Notice that whenever you are handling those things, they’ll ask you to wear gloves?
Natural remedies don’t always have instant results. It’s just like when you are taking herbal medications. They don’t always give you the instant-OK. But one thing for sure, they are always healthier.
So this round for the battle with the ticks and fleas, I’m using diluted Eucalyptus Oil. It has a strong but refreshing smell that bugs like ticks and fleas, or even mosquitoes don’t fancy.
I added a few drops in the water and spray some over the dogs after bathing. Making the dogs clean is not enough – their living area has to be clean too. So I mixed up extra and pour it over their living area at the yard. And then of course, I still continue to manually pick out the buggers on them every evening – and I love to see that it’s getting lesser and lesser. It’s a little slower – this is a repellent, not a killer – but it’s a lot healthier.
when rainbow has ticks one day after being with some other dogs, i googled also for herbal remedies. I used Apple Cider Vinegar and so far it works! But Rainbow is an indoor dog lah, so maybe easier.
There was also once when the house here in SA (got carpet) infected by fleas. We caught them all by using the light method (if u interested to know i can put it in more detail) and Borat powder. Caught at least 50 of them! *proud* now its flea-free.
I’m also with natural remedies now, here in SA they have “Holistic Vet”, where they prescribe natural treatment. Maybe you can ask around if Penang has or not. Or something like “www.nativeremedies.com/petalive/” then curi see what natural ingredients they use for a particular problem. hehe
I once saw a shop in Penang doing holistic thingy, but I think it’s for human. Oh I know about the Borat powder trick! But not the light method. Next time when my dogs are indoor I’ll need those. :D
Yeap there are a few options to use, other than Eucalyptus Oil. I just happened to like the smell and brother has it in his pharmacy – and it’s cheap, so I thought I’ll just use it. I once used lemon too, both for ticks and mild mange (well, at least I suspect it was mange), it worked. :)
Oh ya, one more thing. I use Apple Cider Vinegar for a lot of things! Yeast / Itchiness / etc
So my house always must have a bottle of Apple Cider Vinegar for my dog. haha