Natural Flea & Tick options

[Lynn Ferguson]

Does anyone know of a natural flea and tick option that actually works?  I really want to stay away from the harsh chemicals of traditional flea and tick options however I want Bree protected as well.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You will get a lot of anecdotal responses from people who will tell you "I use suchandsuch natural remedy and my dogs have never gotten fleas." You will also hear storeis that fleas that don't bite dogs with healthy immune sytems, or who eat certain diets, etc. Here is my anecdote: I used nothing, no flea or tick preventative with my last dog at all, and she never got fleas...for 14 years. So you could say that using nothing works to prevent fleas, lol. But then she did get fleas, at 14 years old, and it almost killed both of us. Fleas can kill a dog, as can ticks. Fleas can cause flea allergy dermatitis, which is miserable, incurable, and will cause problems for your dog for the rest of her life. Ticks can carry not just Lyme disease, which is incurable, but also Erlichiosis, Rocky Mtn Spotted fever, and all kinds of other serious tickborne illnesses. We have several dogs here on DK who have had all of these diseases.

As for healthy immune systems and diets, fleas are attracted to carbon dioxide (which mammals breathe out) and to movement. Ther have no way of knowing whether an animal's immune system is healthy or not, at least not before they bite him, lol. They need blood to live, and they will get it anywhere they can. Every kind of animal living in its natural habitat and eating its natural diet in the wild has fleas. They do not discriminate according to what your dog eats. 

When I had a flea infestation, I was bitten, and at that time, I held a fitness title, so I'm pretty sure my immune system was in good shape, and I know my diet was. The fleas didn't care. And it took thousands of dollars and several months to get rid of them. I still have scars from the bites. 

Nobody wants to use harsh chemicals on their dogs, period.  Nobody says, "Hmmm, I'd like to put some chemicals on my dog." We are aware of the risks, but we do it to save them from what we see as a greater risk to their health. You have to weigh the risks and benefits of using proven preventatives and not risking your dog getting a serious, possibly fatal illness, versus trying something which is not proven to be effective and allowing your dog to get sick from fleas or ticks. There is proof that dogs get sick and die from flea and tick bites. There is no proof that they get sick and die from preventatives, only anecdotes. For me, the risk of something happening from the Frontline we use is much, much less than the risk of my dog getting sick from fleas or ticks. I have been using Frontline topicals on my dogs and cats for 9 years and never had the slightest problem. Others may feel differently. 

Your dog's risk factors also depend on where you live. 

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

As is your custom, Karen, a well reasoned and scientifically based response.  Thank you.  

[Lynn Ferguson]

Thank you Karen, definitely food for thought!  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Keep in mind that "natural" doesn't mean "safe", either. There are hundreds of naturals substances that are poisonous or toxic. Arsenic is natural, lol. Oleander, hemlock, and poison ivy are natural. In the plant kingdom alone, there are dozens and dozens of plants that are toxic to pets. Many of the essential oils that are advertised as "natural" flea preventatives are extremely toxic to cats and other mammals. 

Most drugs and preventatives are derived from plants to begin with. Permethrin, which is the active ingredient in many insecticides and preventatives, including some that protect against fleas, comes from chrysanthemums. 

If a "natural" substance is strong enough to have a positive effect in controlling parasites or disease, it's strong enough to have a negative effect as well. Most "natural" products have side-effects, too. 

[Oliver & Elizabeth]

So true! People assume that everything natural/organic is totally safe. The active ingredient in Comfortis is used in organic farming as a pesticide, but there are many reports of it causing vomiting and seizures in dogs.

[Oliver & Elizabeth]

As always Karen's response is fabulous.

I like you wanted so badly to use all natural flea treatments, and we tried many (Barklogic, neem, brewers yeast, and more). Unfortunately none of them worked for us, and once you get fleas in your house they are a nightmare to exterminate.

At the recommendation of our vet, the first chemical/pharmaceutical that we tried was Sentinel/Program (which is a pill, like flea birth control), however after three months it just wasn't working. I guess Sentinel/Program works best with dogs that don't regularly encounter fleas, and at that time Oliver was going to puppy school and daycare. At that point I called my breeder for advice, she recommended Revolution (prescription, topical). She said it was a good option because it has a great safety profile for puppies and provides protection against a lot of other parasites (including some ticks). After a little research, I decided to try it. The last five months have been amazing, Oliver (and our house) have been completely flea free. For us the trade off is totally worth it.

I really like this resource, which lists the various flea control option by safety (health and environmental).
http://www.greenpaws.org/_docs/GP_productlist.pdf

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And it's important to remember that the Green Paws ratings apply to the safety of humans, especially young children, which is their main concern, not dogs.

I was especially interested to see that several of the "natural" oils, including tea tree oil, are listed as being very toxic to pets and to have caused severe reactions on both cats and dogs and have worse safety ratings than some of the chemical products. 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I am 100% in agreement with Karen, and I'm basically pretty "granola minded" too. I cook and do raw foods and make my dogs treats so that they are not exposed to unnecessary chemicals. But even I give in to medications that I feel will offer them the best protection for a healthy life. We have discussed this off and on for years on here and it really does all come down to just what Karen so wisely explained. The risks of the chemicals is much less than the risks of what it is preventing, fleas and ticks.
Also, the exposure to once a month medication compared to every time my dogs go outside, go for a potty break, go for a walk, for a hike, for a sniff under a bush, go up to other dogs at the dog park, walk near others yards who's animals may have fleas is soooo much more often then once a month exposure. More like 10 times a day of risking them getting bit by fleas.
We use Frontline. It has been around a long time, and I think we would hear about any problems pretty quickly since so many people use it. So I'd advise sticking with something with a good track record and credibility and just watch your dog for reactions.
Several people do recommend not giving the Heartguard and the flea meds together as well. One because all those chemicals at once MAY cause a reaction and two, if a reaction were to occur you wouldn't t know which one was the culprit. But either way, it's very unlikely there will be any reaction at all.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

JD's dermatologist agrees with you on the issue of product longevity and track records. She prefers that he get Heartgard and Frontline also, because they have been around so long. 

[DJ & Chance]

I tried the "natural" flee products and they did not work. I now use frontline topical once a month and have had no flea issues.

[Jennifer and Jack]

When I first got Jack I wanted non chemicals as well.... I took chemicals out where ever reasonable.. My lawn no chemicals.. weeds and green stuff yes.. no chemicals for him to lay on or put his paws in.. Jack got his puppy and one year shots but after that he has been titer tested to make sure he is still fully protected instead of just assuming he needs the shots...but he did get all his shots and he is always tested to make sure he is protected.

I also took the advice of people on here and went with Frontline and Heart Guard. I never miss a dose of Heart Guard ever.. with the Front Line in the colder months I have let him go without Frontline unless we were going somewhere where he would be exposed to other dogs....

So if you are looking for less chemical there are certainly things you can safely do if you don't mind weeds in your yard or paying extra for titer testing.. but It is scary Lymes disease and other diseases.. Jack was on Revolution as a puppy, it had just come out and they didn't realize it didn't come ticks well.. Jack got a tick and it was embedded for at least a few days..... To this day I am sick over it... every time he has trouble jumping on something I panic and think he has lymes disease.. even though he has been tested... it still freaks me out.

The thought of him getting a disease that he relies on me to protect him from bothers me more then the Frontline... 

[Lynn Ferguson]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate all your comments and advise, it will certainly assist with making an informed decision since my priority is to keepBree healthy.