Natural Flea & Tick Prevention

Are there any natural Flea & Tick treatments?

shutterstock_181338245-2Fleas and Ticks are a constant worry for pet owners, especially during the summer months when they are very active. Ticks are particularly active between May and October whilst fleas are prevalent between April and November, although they are now an all year round problem due to the widespread use of central heating. So how can we deal with this problem without resorting to chemicals?

My favoured treatments are those using a naturally derived product called Neem. The Neem tree grows in tropical and sub tropical countries and scientists are particularly interested in one family of chemicals particular to Neem that act together to produce a ‘synergistic’ or ‘enhanced’ effect. It is a non-toxic, eco-friendly alternative to pesticides and continual use of Neem based products will prevent ticks and fleas making a home on your pet. Due to the gentle nature of the products and the avoidance of harsh chemicals they also leave the coat and skin in tip top condition. At Clippity Snip we are able to bathe your dogs with specially formulated all-natural shampoo containing Neem oil.

If you want to make your own safe, non-toxic flea repellents, here’s some options:

BATHING

A badly infested animal really needs to be bathed so use your favourite dog shampoo. Rinse your pet off very thoroughly and in the final rinse add a couple of drops of Tea Tree Oil (don’t use Tea Tree on cats) or Lavender oil. An alternative is to make your own herbal flea dip which will also work on ticks. Steep two cups of fresh rosemary in two pints of boiling water for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid, discard the leaves and make it up to 8 pints with warm water. Pour this mixture over your pet until it is saturated. Do not rinse off and allow the dog to dry naturally.

shutterstock_119651287-2CITRUS REPELLENT

Cut a lemon into quarters and place in a pint jug. Cover the lemon with boiling water and let it steep overnight. Next day you have a flea repellent that you can use in a spray bottle. Spray all over your dog or cat remembering especially behind the ears and around the head generally (careful of eyes), around the base of the tail and under their ‘armpits’.

AROMATHERAPY REPELLENT

Using 10 ml of sweet almond oil as your base, add 10 drops of lavender and 5 drops of cedarwood. Shake well and use 1 or 2 drops spread over the skin at least twice a week to keep the fleas away.

A FLEA COLLAR

This can be made by rubbing a few drops of one of the following into an ordinary webbing or rope collar or even a doggy bandana: Eucalyptus Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Citronella, Lavender or Geranium. Don’t forget to do this weekly.

YOUR HOME

Fleas spend most of their time in your furnishings and only hop onto your pet or you for their final meal. Make sure you wash your pet’s bedding regularly because no flea ever survived a hot wash cycle. If you add eucalyptus oil to the final rinse it can also kill up to 99% of house dust mites. Vacuum your home very thoroughly and sprinkle a fine layer of ordinary table salt over your upholstery and carpets and leave overnight before vacuuming. The salt will desiccate and kill the fleas without you or your family and pets having to breathe in any toxic chemicals! Don’t forget to empty your vacuum bag.

INTERNAL FLEA REPELLENTS

shutterstock_452551300-2Garlic may not be your favourite smell and it’s not the flea’s favourite either. When your dog or cat eats garlic, the smell is excreted through the skin making them less likely to be the fleas’ next meal, but don’t worry their breath won’t smell garlicky at all. Brewer’s yeast tablets will also help to make your pet less attractive to fleas because once again the smell is excreted through the skin. Adding a dessert spoon of apple cider vinegar to the water bowl will make the skin more acidic and unpleasant to fleas and ticks but if your pets don’t fancy apple cider vinegar in the water bowl, dilute it 50/50 with water and use in a spray bottle instead of the citrus repellent.

At Clippity Snip we offer a soothing treatment using specially formulated natural flea and tick shampoo infused with essential oil. With it’s anti-inflammatory properties that heals sore skin and insect bites, it soothes and calms, relieving itching and reducing redness. Regular use will help prevent and control fleas and provide relief from itching and scratching.

“Continual use of Neem based products will prevent ticks and fleas making a home on your pet.”

-CLIPPITY SNIP

For further advice and information or to make an appointment please email mark@clippitysnip.co.uk or call 07590 053758.

Maintaining A Healthy Coat

What does it take to improve my dog’s coat?

A healthy dog coat is the sign of a healthy body and to maintain a healthy coat and skin you need to take care of the outside and inside of the body. A good diet, parasite control and regular grooming will all help to keep the coat shiny and smooth and the skin supple and clear.

A healthy coat should feel soft, pliable and smooth. An unhealthy coat will have dry, coarse and brittle hairs and the coat may also be sparse and thinning or shot and underdeveloped. A healthy coat and skin is clean and free of scales, scabs and crusts and will look harsh, dull or even dusty. The first thing you need to look at is your dog’s diet. Make sure you are feeding a healthy diet full of real meat and protein, with few if any by-products, preservatives and grains like corn, wheat and soy, which can cause allergies. At Clippity Snip we recommend a promote a raw or BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet.

So what other natural ways are there to help maintain a healthy coat?

shutterstock_166421999-2REGULAR BRUSHING

Regular brushing stimulates the skin and hair follicles, increasing the natural production of skin oils that make the coat shiny. We recommend brushing your dog once every couple of days.

REGULAR BATHING

Bathing regularly with the appropriate pet shampoo will keep the coat clean. At Clippity Snip we recommend the use of natural shampoos that have the correct ph balance and bathing once a month to ensure you are not stripping the coat of essential oils. Over-washing can lead to dry skin and irritation.

FEEDING FISH

Fish such as Tuna, Sardines and Salmon are full of healthy omega-3 fatty acids that help contribute to a healthy coat. You can add some to your dog’s food.

A LITTLE OIL

Stir between one teaspoon to one tablespoon of sunflower oil, olive oil, coconut oil or flaxseed oil into your dog’s food to keep the coat healthy. Coconut oil can also help to clear up any skin conditions whilst flax oil will help reduce itching.

shutterstock_298769357-2HERBAL REMEDIES

Try Horsetail which is high in silica and is essential in the maintenance of healthy and strong skin, bones and fur. Spirulina is also good as it contains protein, vitamin B and carotenoids but be careful not to use too much.

PROTECTION

Dogs that have no shelter from the elements and are kept outside most days will have coats that change to be more thick and dry, to provide natural protection. Providing additional shelter will help to encourage a shinier coat.

OATMEAL BATH

Dogs with dull coats often have skin problems as well. An oatmeal bath helps soothe the skin, tame itching and leaves the coat soft and shiny. Oatmeal contains vitamin E which acts as a natural softener.

“A healthy coat is the sign of a healthy body.”

-CLIPPITY SNIP

For further advice and information or to make an appointment please email mark@clippitysnip.co.uk or call 07590 053758.