Pet Care

I'm big into the "Go Green" thing and was so before it was the thing to do. I receive a daily newsletter from The Daily Green. In today's newsletter it had an article about the green way to prevent fleas. I read it and it could have been me writing the article. I'll explain below. Referenced was this website, Green Paws. They have a listing of chemical flea control products that they have tested and you can see what is safe and what isn't. Just because a product is for sale doesn't mean it's good. Check it out.

Being in FL we have major flea issues especially the hot months. (Which is like 10 of 12 months of the year!) This past summer was awful for my JayJay and Polly. JayJay is allergic to flea bites so it only takes 1 and he itches non-stop. I quit using the Advantage & Frontline because the fleas seem to become immune to it and even attracked them! So since I went green in my lifestyle, why not with my pets? So what I did was use a flea comb on the dogs twice a day until the fleas were gone then it went to once a day. They got weekly baths. I constantly inspected them. And the flea control doesn't just stop with the animal itself. You must also take care of its living quarters. I wash the dogs' bedding weekly and vaccum weekly. When we had the major flea problem I put Borax on all carpets in my house, let sit for hours then vaccumed up. The Borax is suppose to dehydrate the fleas and is effective for up to 1 year. It's best when you lay it down that no one walk over it--human or animal.

My dogs are flea-free now (thank god!!) but JayJay still has the itches. Once in a while I will find 1 flea on him but its all controlable. I spray my Daisy Blue Naturals tea tree oil on him daily which helps his skin. I also put garlic in his food which helps repel fleas (that is good for human use too if the fleas like eating you.) I just started giving him evening primrose in his food too which is actually marketed for women's health but it's suppose to help dogs with allergies. He's only been on it less than a week and it will take several weeks to see any results.

So if you want to go green with your pet care let me know. I have tons of info and can direct you in the right direction if I don't have an answer.