Effective Natural Flea Prevention Tips for Dogs
The dog flea, scientifically known as Ctenocephalides canis, is a species of parasite that generally affects almost every kind of mammal. These fleas are particularly considered to be dangerous as they can spread tapeworms, which are known to be quite dangerous for not only the dogs but also their owners.
Even though these fleas generally feed on the blood of your pet, they may sometimes also bite you while you are petting your dog your playing with them. Because of these reasons, it becomes quite important for dog owners to get rid of these parasites. Here are some of the natural flea prevention tips that can help you:
1. Comb your dog as often as possible
One of the most effective ways of keeping the fleas away from your dog is to comb his or her fur regularly. This method will be able to remove not only the fleas but also their eggs from your dog’s fur. Most of the people generally use a tooth flea comb for this purpose; however, any other comb will also be beneficial for your cause if you choose to use it as often as possible.
2. Use vinegar
Using vinegar is considered to be one of the best natural flea prevention methods, as fleas, in general, do not like the smell of it. To use this method, you have to first mix the vinegar with clear water. A 1:1 ratio is usually considered to be most effective; nevertheless, if your dog feels uneasy because of its smell, then, you may also opt for a water to vinegar ratio of 3:1.
You have to make sure to keep the liquid away from his or her eyes, as well as any open sores, while spraying it to avoid any kind of health complications. One of the most common types of vinegar used for this purpose is apple cider vinegar.
3. Plant flea repellent herbs
If you are looking for some natural flea prevention methods for your dogs, then planting some strong-smelling herbs or trees in your garden can also be a good idea. Some of the herbs that can keep the fleas away from not only your dogs but also your house are sage, basil, thyme, lavender, and mint.
4. Take the help of nematodes
Nematodes are a type of small multi-cellular insects that usually look like a roundworm. Most of these worms stay in the soil and are known to kill numerous types of harmful parasites, including fleas. You will be able to purchase nematodes from both the local garden shops as well as any of the online stores.
The best part about using natural remedies is that a lot of the times, the ingredients required are easily found and are also economical. Aside from that, these have no harmful side-effects on you or your pet dog. Thus, opting for one of these methods can prove to be quite beneficial for you.