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Cleaning Up:  Natural Flea Repelant?  |
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Susie Q
True Blue Farmgirl
122 Posts
Susan
So. California
USA
122 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 23 2005 : 12:57:29 PM
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My 2 cats are on monthly purple Advantage. However because they are indoor/outdoor cats they still pick up a few fleas. Is there anything natural I can give them that would repel the fleas because I don't want to load them up with a bunch of different chemical products?
I guess this is a housekeeping question too as I don't want fleas in the house.
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Aug 23 2005 : 2:42:24 PM
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Anything with orange oil will kill fleas. Try a natural pet store for shampoos or sprays containing citrus.
"If you are lucky enough to have a garden, you are lucky enough!" |
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Susie Q
True Blue Farmgirl
122 Posts
Susan
So. California
USA
122 Posts |
Posted - Aug 24 2005 : 1:21:02 PM
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| THanks Kay. I'll give that a try. Advantage is great for killing fleas but not repeling them. |
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LJRphoto
True Blue Farmgirl
760 Posts
Laura
Hickory Corners
MI
USA
760 Posts |
Posted - Aug 25 2005 : 7:56:06 PM
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I've been wondering about diatomaceous earth. I've heard that it's good for keeping fleas and lice controled on chickens and I wonder if anyone has used it on indoor pets.
"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect." -Mark Twain |
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greyghost
True Blue Farmgirl
650 Posts
Lynn
Summerville
Georgia
USA
650 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2005 : 08:08:01 AM
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Organic apple cider vinegar works too. Spray some on your dogs/cats (rub it into their coats) and also add a teaspoon of it to their waterbowl every day.
Taken internally, apple cider vinegar is credited with maintaining the acid/alkaline balance of the digestive tract. To check your dog's pH balance, pick up some pH strips at the drug store, and first thing in the morning test the dog's urine. If it reads anywhere from 6.2 - 6.5, your dog's system is exactly where it should be. If it is 7.5 or higher, the diet you are feeding is too alkaline, and Apple Cider Vinegar will re-establish the correct balance. |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2005 : 09:49:07 AM
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You might want to try brewer's yeast tablets. Give one as a treat once a day -- most cats love them, although, being cats, of course some don't! I read this waaaay long time ago in Anitra Frazer's wonderful book, The Natural Cat. Works for us. The brewer's yeast has nutritional value, as well as being a natural flea deterrent.
Darla
quote:
Originally posted by Susie Q
My 2 cats are on monthly purple Advantage. However because they are indoor/outdoor cats they still pick up a few fleas. Is there anything natural I can give them that would repel the fleas because I don't want to load them up with a bunch of different chemical products?
I guess this is a housekeeping question too as I don't want fleas in the house.
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Aug 28 2005 : 2:25:44 PM
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Our dog prances in and out on a whim but thinks she is one of us and sleeps in the house, preferably on the bed with US if it were up to her! When my husband and son were away she seemed to have an episode of fleas inspite of Frontline so I washed her with lavender soap and she smelled beautiful! I don't think the fleas cared for it however and I didn't see them anymore! Maybe coincidence, you be the judge.
with a happy heart |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Sep 01 2005 : 08:45:43 AM
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Pennyroyal (in pots---it's a rambler!!!) on the outskirts of my yard, by the front door and kitchen door and wherever my clan runs...I also have indoor/outdoor kitties, and three large dogs--Pennyroyal is a native plant here, so it's easy to come by. I also dry it and put it in cheescloths bags which I place inside their beds. It's not a rid-all, but combined with another method certainly does help.
Just think of all of the roads there are...all of the things I haven't seen....yet. |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Sep 05 2005 : 07:11:35 AM
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I was reading my Herb Companion this AM and came across an article about a natural flea remedy. It says it can be appplies directly to pets, carpets, hardwood floors, furniture, lawns or gardens. Sounds like diatomaceous earth because it dehydrates the fleas.
http://www.naturalflearemedy.com/
"If you are lucky enough to have a garden, you are lucky enough!" |
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blanket of stars
True Blue Farmgirl
51 Posts
Kat
Hancock
NH
51 Posts |
Posted - Sep 11 2005 : 5:49:36 PM
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I make a "Lulu's Stinky Carpet Refresher" ( a dog) using baking soda, cornstarch, dried pennyroyal, and crushed bay leaves. Sprinkle on, let sit, vacuum up. You need a vacuum for this! Works for chasing fleas and deodorizing the air......
love Kat |
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LJRphoto
True Blue Farmgirl
760 Posts
Laura
Hickory Corners
MI
USA
760 Posts |
Posted - Sep 12 2005 : 04:55:29 AM
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Kay,
It is diatomaceous earth. Their's is priced at $14.99 for 8 oz. and it is $13.49 for 9 oz. at Murray McMurray Hatchery. You can also buy a lot of it at $56.50 for 3 pounds which will save you about $.69 per oz. I'm glad to know I can use it on my pets as well as chickens. Especially when the barn cats start showing up.
"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect." -Mark Twain
http://ljrenterprises.blogspot.com/ |
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Susie Q
True Blue Farmgirl
122 Posts
Susan
So. California
USA
122 Posts |
Posted - Sep 23 2005 : 12:34:01 PM
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Thanks everybody. I'll try the brewers yeast and the cider vinegar first. I don't think I can give my cat's a lavender bath with out drawing blood. MINE! I want to look into the dim...?.?. earth stuff. sounds interesting.
THanks again! |
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CathyM
True Blue Farmgirl
344 Posts
Cathy
Tulsa
OK
USA
344 Posts |
Posted - Oct 09 2005 : 3:42:27 PM
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| I give my 2 kittens lavender baths every 2 weeks they love them ( of course my kittens love the tub anyway, they try to get in when anyone is taking a shower) and then they smell soooo good lol. i've never thought of using citrus oils and apple cider vineger, I will have to try them. |
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LJRphoto
True Blue Farmgirl
760 Posts
Laura
Hickory Corners
MI
USA
760 Posts |
Posted - Oct 26 2005 : 08:56:48 AM
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Kat,
Do you worry about the toxicity of pennyroyal? I was going to make some carpet freshner with the essential oil but it says that it's toxic, so now I'm scared to do it. Since this post started my cats have developed a serious flea problem made worse by the fact that one of them is allergic to the fleas and gets horrible sores all over his body as well as a serious hairball problem from all of the licking. I bought some pesticide to treat my carpets but haven't been able to bring myself to use it. I'm also treating the cats with frontline (a pesticide) and today added a pill because I'm seeing fleas again before I can put more frontline on them. I've thought about using the diatomacious earth in the house and on the cats but I'm worried about it irritating my or my family's skin, eyes, etc. What a dilema!
"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect." -Mark Twain
http://ljrenterprises.blogspot.com/ |
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Cleaning Up: Natural Flea Repelant? |
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Natural Flea Repelant?
