Owning a dog as a pet means that you, as the owner, will have to contend with the flea problem. Owners of cats have a similar problem, but there is a difference between dog fleas and cat fleas, the latter do not infest dogs. Actually, each type of flea (dog fleas vs. cat fleas) will only invade its specific host, ignoring the other. We’ll be concerned with only fleas that invade dogs, specifically fleas like the Ctenocephalides cannis, the Ukulele or Leaping Flea.
Flea Life Cycle
The flea’s life cycle is typically four months in duration. A female flea lays her eggs on a dog and some of those eggs will stay within the fur and others may fall onto the grounds in and around your home. As soon as the eggs hatch, the cycle begins all over again. Fleas are almost blind, but have incredible spring in their legs and get around quite easily, like your yard. In just 30 days, 10 female fleas under ideal conditions can multiply to over a quarter million different life stages.
Your Yard, a Flea’s Kingdom
Typically, fleas that are not currently on your pet will abound within your yard or any open field. Assuming that your dog is completely without lfea, they will be picked up by your dog in your yard or anywhere outside when your dog runs around.
There are sprays for your yard, such as Flea Away as well as other treatments which will help to eliminate them. Of course, fleas are relentless pests and this is an ongoing process. Dogs can pick up fleas from almost anywhere, other dogs, other yards, parks, etc. So obviously spraying your yard will help, but not eliminate the problem unless your dog stays permanently within the confines of your home and its environs. Of course, fleas are not bound by fences and can enter the yard from anywhere. Therefore, it behooves the dog owner to continually treat his yard.
Dog’s Health
The overall health of your dog is very important. Fleas prefer dogs that are not eating well, sickly and weak as they prefer easy targets. If you keep your dog healthy, the problem may exist, but not be quite as virulent if your pet were unhealthy. Frequent brushing and using a flea comb should be a regular part of your flea control regimen. Also, if the problem continues, trips to the Vet may be a necessity.
Flea Medications, the Good and the Bad
There are certainly medications which would be termed, systemic approaches for flea control. Whether pills or drops placed on the dog’s skin, they are designed to enter your dog’s blood stream and combat the flea problem from the inside. They are generally effective, although rather expensive. These treatments enter your dog’s body and act almost as chemo therapy. Ultimately, for some dogs, these preparations have caused internal sickness. Some dogs tolerate them, but your pet may not. To be on the safe side, check with a veterinarian that practices naturist medicine before using such drugs.
A Natural Approach is Essential
A safer approach relies on natural, topical methodologies for flea control, such as essential oils: tea tree oil, etc. applied directly to your pet’s fur. What are essential oils? They are the extract of organic products, derived from the skin, bark and leaves of plants. The only problem, with some of these, particularly tea tree oil is that the odor of the oil is sometimes unpleasant. There are other essential oils that are a bit more human friendly, in terms of their fragrance. For instance, there are: orange oil, cedar oil or lavender oil.
Orange oil is extremely toxic to virtually all insects literally dissolving the carapace of the insect. Not only does it kill them, but it melts there carapace instantly killing tics or fleas. Both cedar and lavender oils act as flea and insect repellent and may be used by humans, as well.
The only problem with essential oils is that the do not readily combine with water. A more effective approach is to use oils that have been naturally surfacted, i.e., already combined with water. There are several products available that contain essential oils and d-limonine (from orange oil), and are much more easily sprayed and smell pleasant and are very effective. To find out more information about natural flea and odor control, contact us at info@ orangedogproduct.com or visit our web site at http://www.orangedogproducts.com
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