Pets, as well as their owners often anticipate the summer and getting outside and going on adventures, but one thing that neither pet nor owner enjoys is the pesky flea. When weather warms up, fleas crawl out from their hiding spots in cracks and crevices and launch an invasion on pets. One question that many pet owners struggle with is whether to use the conventional chemical flea treatment, or to try an alternative, natural option. Many pet owners are opting for natural remedies, since many animals are having allergic reactions, and sometimes life threatening reactions to over the counter flea control. Pet owners wishing to avoid harsh chemicals that are found in many of the topical chemical flea medications are trying natural flea control to combat the pests that can also do bodily harm to their beloved pets.
If you are a pet owner that is looking for a natural flea control option, you are in luck, as there are many natural ways to combat the pesky flea. In order for natural flea control to be effective, it needs to be used consistently to stay ahead of flea infestations, and it can take up to a month to see results. Owners are encouraged to find the natural flea control that works best for them, and their pet. Some of the natural options include apple cider vinegar, brewer’s yeast with garlic, rosemary, lavender essential oil, and lemon.
Apple cider vinegar is a good treatment option, because it makes pets skin taste acidic to fleas. One tablespoon can be added to one cup of water, and if your pet refuses to drink the water, a 50/50 solution can be made in a spray bottle, and applied directly to your pet.
Brewer’s yeast with garlic is a popular option, because it can be used as a treat, or put directly on the pet’s food. Brewer’s yeast works from the inside, by giving the pets skin a taste and odor that is not appreciated by fleas. Brewer’s yeast can be purchased in tablets and powder, and if your pet won’t eat it, ¼ cup of powdered yeast can be mixed with a quart of water, and placed in a spray bottle. Once sprayed onto the pet, the solution can be worked into the pets coat as it is applied. Powdered yeast can also be used as a flea powder.
Rosemary can be used as a flea dip by combining two cups of fresh rosemary with one gallon of warm water. Rosemary should be steeped in boiling water for 30 minutes, and then poured into the gallon of water. Once the solution has cooled slightly, the warm mixture should be poured over the pet, and they should air dry naturally, for best results.
Lavender essential oil is not recommended to treat fleas in cats, since it can build up in their systems and become toxic to them, but it can be used for dogs, by placing a couple of drops on the back of their neck, and at the base of their tail, after bathing them.
Lemons can be turned into a flea remedy by slicing two or three of them, dropping them into a quart of water, and letting them sit overnight. Before using, strain out any pulp and either sponge the solution over your pet, or put it in a spray bottle. As well as repelling fleas, lemon can also help condition your pet’s skin.
When tackling your pet’s flea problems, please keep in mind that natural flea control only repels fleas and their eggs, and does not kill them. Flea control should be applied outside, where fleas can vacate your pet away from the cracks and crevices of your home. A thorough daily vacuuming of your pet’s environment, and regular washing of your pets bedding are also important parts of keeping fleas in check.
What do you think about putting Diatamaceous Earth on the cat’s fur for fleas?
Good idea.
You may have heard about Diatomaceous Earth, but did not know what it
is and its numerous benefits. Don’t worry as we provide you all the
information about Diatomaceous Earth, or Food-grade Diatomaceous
Earth to be more precise, you will ever need. So, just read on…
What is Diatomaceous Earth?
Diatomaceous Earth, also known as diatomite, D.E., or kieselguhr, is the
fossilized remains of Diatoms, or algae, one-celled plants. Some Diatoms
are fresh water based, while others are salt water based.
Food-grade Diatomaceous Earth is fresh-water based algae that provides
many benefits to humans and pets. The main element in Diatomaceous
Earth is Silica. In fact, 85% of DE is uncrystallized Silica.
Food-grade Diatomaceous Earth is 100% natural and organic.
Why Food-grade Diatomaceous
Earth (DE) is so important?
Silica is vital to blood vessels, skin, cartilage, bones, and tendons. It is
also crucial to liver, lungs, heart, and other important organs. In addition,
Silica plays a crucial role in many bodily functions.
Although we get Silica from dietary sources, often the quantity received
from them is not adequate. On average, the human body requires about 7
g of silica. Most of us fail to obtain so much Silica from food sources.
Besides an unbalanced diet, the other cause of mild to severe Silica
deficiency is poor quality of soil, which, in recent years has transferred into
a universal phenomenon.
The problems arising from less-than-adequate-levels of Silica are aplenty,
many of them being serious. Although often unavoidable, this problem is
easily reversible and preventable. The solution to Silica deficiency, if you
have not guessed it by now, is food-grade Diatomaceous Earth, which can
be taken internally as a food supplement.
Although Silica important for us, the benefits of food-grade DE are not just
limited to it. Food-grade DE provides a number of additional benefits, to
both humans and pets. Before we discuss all of them in detail, let us
familiarize ourselves with the following two important benefits about foodgrade
DE:
1 Food-grade DE is 100% safe for humans, pets, and our environment.
There are absolutely no side effects associated with this product.
2 Excess of food-grade DE is not harmful. Using food-grade DE in
amounts higher than recommended does not provide any additional
benefits, but it does no harm either. As food-grade DE is water
soluble, the body simply absorbs the amount it requires and flushes
out the excess.
A Note: There is another type of DE: salt water based DE (remember foodgrade
DE is derived from fresh water). Salt water based DE is also useful,
but is meant for industry use only and can be harmful to humans and pets,
especially when used for unintended purposes.
Benefits of Food Grade DE to
Humans
1. Kills Intestinal Parasites
Food-grade DE is a potent bug killer. It effectively kills all common
intestinal parasites, which affect approximately 75% of people, at least,
once during their lifetime. Unlike drug therapy, which invariably produces
strong side effects, food-grade DE is completely safe. Other advantages of
food-grade DE over drugs used for the treatment of intestinal parasites
include:
• It is 100% effective everytime
• It kills parasites by physical means
• It prevents intestinal parasites from coming back
The last benefit is very important, as patients who have been successfully
treated, as well as people who are prone to infections caused by intestinal
parasites, can use food-grade DE to prevent intestinal infections.
It is believed that food-grade DE kills intestinal parasites (and external
bugs, which we will discuss in the next two sections concerning the use of
this product for pets and in garden) in the following two ways:
• DE particles are extremely sharp and they work on a microscopic
level by getting stuck between the joints of the parasite and cutting it
into pieces.
• DE also kills parasites and insects by dehydrating them. It scratches
the waxy layer of these organisms, which in turn leads to loss of
moisture.
Besides being effective against intestinal parasites, food-grade DE is also
effective against fungal infections of the stomach, such as infection
caused by E. coli.
For treatment of stomach infections, use food-grade DE as directed
below:
• Mix 1 tablespoon of food-grade DE with milk, water, or other
beverage
• Take it once a day. If the infection is severe, you may take it two
times per day
• Use it for 2 to 3 months. Repeat the treatment if necessary.
2. Detox the body
Food-grade DE is an extremely potent chelating agent. That is, it removes
traces of hard metal, such as mercury, that are stuck in the small and large
intestine. Detoxification, in turn, provides following benefits:
• Healthier colon- A healthy colon reduces your risk of ulcers, cancers,
and many other serious conditions.
• Healthier bowel movement
• Relives fatigue, increases energy, and improves sleep quality
• Boosts the immune system
3. Lowers high blood pressure and cholesterol
Food-grade DE is believed to be effective against hypertension, or high
blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels.
4. Prevention and treatment of Osteoporosis
Poor calcium levels, as you may know, causes osteoporosis, a
degenerative bone disease. What you may not know, however, is that
calcium supplements cannot reduce the risk of osteoporosis if you have a
Silica deficiency. Silica is crucial for absorption of many minerals,
including calcium. By enhancing calcium absorption, food-grade DE helps
you in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
5. Promotes hair growth
Silica is as important for healthy hair growth as it is for healthy bones.
While bones contain 100 mg of silica per gram, hair has 90 mg of this
substance per gram. Whether you want to reverse hair loss or improve the
quality of your hair, Silica, found in abundance in food-grade DE, should
be an integral part of your hair care treatment.
6. Improves dental health
Silica hardens the enamel and prevents cavities. It is also useful in
preventing gum atrophy, bleeding gums, and loosening of teeth.
In addition to above, other reported benefits of food-grade DE are listed
below:
• Tones the upper respiratory tract and works as a cough-decreasing
agent.
• Decreases vertigo, tinnitus, insomnia, and headaches
• Stimulates metabolism, increasing energy levels and relieving fatigue
• Prevents unwanted effects of menopause
• Aids in prevention of kidney stones and is effective in the treatment
of infections of the urinary tract.
• Aids in prevention of Tuberculosis
• Effective in the treatment of diabetes
• Effective in the treatment of coronary diseases
• Aids in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease by helping the body in
removal of aluminium
Benefits of Food-grade DE to
Pets
You can give food-grade DE to your pet orally, by mixing it with their food,
water, or other beverage, or topically.
• Removes of Lice, Mites, and ticks
Food-grade DE can be given orally to pets even for removal of fleas, mites,
lice, and ticks. Food-grade DE kills these organisms the same way it
terminates intestinal parasites in human -that is by dehydrating and
physically cutting them.
The daily recommended dosage for cats and dogs is:
• Kittens – ¼ teaspoon once daily
• Large cats – 1 teaspoon once daily
• Dogs (weighing under 10 pounds) – ½ teaspoon once daily
• Dogs (weighing between 50 to 100 pounds) – 1 tablespoon once
daily
• Dogs (weighing over 100 pounds) – 1 to 2 tablespoons once daily
To use food-grade DE topically, rub a pinch of it over your pet’s skin
gently. For removal of ear mites, rub a small quantity of food-grade DE on
the inside and outside of the earflaps for about a month or so.
• Treats and prevents diarrhea
Food-grade DE removes parasites and harmful bacteria and virus from
your pet’s body, helping in the treatment and prevention of diarrhea.
Food-grade DE for Pest Control
You can spray food-grade DE powder in your garden for terminating
pests. The biggest benefit of this 100% organic powder over chemical
pesticides is that pests cannot build immunity against it because, unlike
chemicals, DE kills them physically. Another advantage of food-grade DE,
when used for pest control, is that it is 100% safe for the environment and
does not harm earthworms or other beneficial soil microorganisms.
You can also spray food-grade DE in your house to kill household insects
such as ants, fleas, flies, mites, spiders, roaches, etc.
A Note: Do not spray the food-grade DE on or near your face. You may
consider using a face mask when spraying it in your garden or house.
We have been taking food grade DE for about 2 months now and definitely
can tell the difference. We recommend food grade DE from Wolf Creek.