Slugs and snails and puppy dog tails…
Ok, so those aren’t the kind of bugs we’re talking about, but we just couldn’t resist.
We’re here to talk about fleas and worms.
An uncomfortable subject, we know. But they’re even more uncomfortable for your dogs (and for you), so let’s buck up and face the fear.
You have dogs, so fleas and worms are a real issue. There are, however, loads of natural, simple ways to make sure your dog doesn’t suffer.
First, let’s tackle fleas.
The basics – fleas don’t like a healthy dog
First and foremost, the greatest guard against fleas is a healthy, happy dog.
They’re parasites, and parasites prey on weak and unhealthy animals.
Keep your dog fit, healthy and active and fleas are less likely to jump on board and cause a problem.
And so, regular grooming and a wholesome diet are the cornerstones of healthy pooches.
Feed your dog:
· Omega-6 fatty acids, found in poultry, eggs, flaxseed and hempseed
· Omega-3 fatty acids, found in mackerel, freshly ground hemp and flaxseed
· Probiotics, found in goat kefir or fermented vegetables
· Sulphur-rich foods such as eggs, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower
· B-vitamins, found in most meats, organ meats, oily fish and eggs
Feed your dog fresh, whole foods and unprocessed proteins and you’re setting up your best defence against pesky bugs. The end.
But if the fleas are persistent and successful, here are a few other home remedies to help combat the problem.
Essential oils to get rid of fleas
Fleas really don’t like essential oils (neither do cats, so if you have cats too, please be careful using essential oils in your house) so here are a few that might help:
· Lavender
· Lemon
· Palmerosa
· Cedar (also known as Atlantica)
· Eucalyptus (also known as Radiata)
· Clary Sage
· Peppermint
Please be sure to dilute essential oils in a carrier oil – they should never be used neat. A carrier oil like grape seed oil is ideal.
Plants that repel fleas
Natural remedies are always the best where animals are concerned and certain plants around the entrance to your home can act like a flea-repellent border.
Pot up some mint, basil, lemongrass, sage, lemon balm, rosemary or catnip and place them around your garden. Place them either side of your main entrance too.
These plants secrete natural oils and the fleas don’t like them. Plus, your garden will smell fabulous, so it’s a win-win for everyone!
Need some help with getting rid of fleas?
You’ve come to the right place!
At The Wandering Dog, we supply all kinds of products and feeds to help you in the fight against fleas.
Here’s an overview of the products we stock that can help:
· Herbal Pet Supplies – No More Bites shampoo and tincture are ideal for keeping uninvited guests at bay.
· Gold label – the citronella spray is fantastic for when you’re out and about. This can be used on dogs and horses alike and helps repel the beasties
· Serendipity – the neem shampoos and pet shield sprays are amazing. They’re one of the only products to be scientifically proven to work against the Scottish highland midge!
· Tick Twisters – no house should be without one of these, especially if you and your dog love being out and about in areas where ticks are prevalent.
· CSJ products – Billy No Mates and Filly No Mates can be added to dog (or cat or horse) food and helps guard against fleas, ticks and mites.
Dealing with worms
Worms are another uncomfortable topic for dog owners – unfortunately they’re a problem we can’t ignore, as responsible dog lovers.
At The Wandering Dog, we advise our customers to add furry or hairy products such as rabbit hide strips, beef hide or hairy lamb ears into their dogs’ diets on a regular basis.
The hairy or furry food, as it’s digested by the dog, becomes attached to internal parasitic eggs and are then passed out of the dog’s body.
These are fantastic, natural solutions to the nasty problem of worms – find furry and hairy products in our shop (there’s a sentence!)
Unfortunately, natural remedies don’t work on lungworm.
Getting stuck in with a regular worm count
There’s no other way around it if you want to keep your dog safe from worms.
A regular worm count is quick and simple (if not all that pleasant). Pick up a lungworm or tapeworm testing kit from one of our shops, collect a tiny poo sample in the box provided and send it off to the lab - you’ll get the results back quickly and relax in the knowledge your dog is fit and healthy.
Good luck with the bugs – if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us for advice.
The team at The Wandering Dog 🐾