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My Dog Has Fleas :(

Yes - its true - poor Turbo is scratching and that stuff from the vet costs a fortune - $20 a month. So here are some tips from a website called Everyday Roots. I'm going to try the Apple Cider Vinegar and I'll let you know if it works. If you have any good ideas to get rid of fleas on your dog - I'd love to hear what worked!

6 Ways to Naturally Prevent and Get Rid of Fleas on Dogs

I share my life with many four-legged friends, owning 2 dogs and fostering at least 2 others at any given time. My canine companions make up a huge part of my life so, naturally, I want to care for them…naturally. Like human medications popular dog medications, such as flea and tick preventatives, are full of strange chemicals that could have potentially harmful side effects. If you have little ones running around the house, you don’t want them getting into the medication or touching the dog after it’s applied. Since I foster and have rescues coming in from all kinds of places, I have to be up on the flea care year round. Instead of constantly applying synthetic repellents, there are natural substitutes I can turn to that can help keep the little beasties at bay.

Why the ingredients: The essential oils/ingredients used here are all natural insecticide/pesticides, shown to either kill or deter the pests due to their various compounds/naturally occurring chemicals. Indeed, many of them are found in commercial flea/tick preventative.

1. Flea collar

A flea collar is a great way to ward off fleas without always having to reapply something topically, and it keeps the flea control constant and steady.

You will need…

-3-5 drops of cedar oil or lavender oil
- 1-3 tablespoons of water
-Bandana OR your dog’s collar
-an eyedropper (optional)

Directions

Dilute 2-3 drops of your chosen oil in 1-3 tablespoons of water. Some people use the oil undiluted, but I personally feel it should always be diluted, even if it’s only by a little. Next, pick out a bandana to be the flea collar-I think a bandana is preferable because you can take it on and off and your dog’s collar won’t smell. It’s always fun to get creative with patterns and colors here. If you go up to ½ teaspoon you can use up to 5 drops of the liquid. Using an eyedropper or other similar means, apply 5-10 drops of the mixture to the bandana and rub the sides of the fabric together, and then tie it about your dog’s neck in a snazzy way. Reapply oil mixture to the collar once a week. In conjunction with this, 1 or 2 drops of oil diluted with at least 1 tablespoon of olive oil can be placed at the base of your dog’s tail.

2. Flea deterring drink- can be used alongside any of these remedies.

You will need…

-1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar

Directions

For every 40 pound dog add 1 teaspoon of white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar to 1 quart of their drinking water. We highly recommend using Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar. Not only does it deter fleas, it improves a pups skin and coat condition from the inside-out.

3. Flea comb

This contains lemon and lemon contains something called limonene, which is a chemical that kills and repels fleas but is harmless to us or our pets.

You will need…

-1 freshly sliced up lemon
-1 pot of fresh water
-a comb, sponge, or brush

Directions

Boil a pot of water and add the slices of a freshly cut lemon to it. Turn off the heat after the lemons has been added and cover the pot, letting the mixture steep overnight. The next day dip a comb or your pets brush in the liquid (make sure it’s sufficiently cool) and run it through their hair. A sponge works as well, especially if you have a very short haired breed. A quick version is to bring water to a vigorous boil and then pour over a freshly sliced lemon. Then just dip the comb, let it cool, and use as above.

4. Flea spray

As a bonus, your pup will get a nice gleaming finish to their coat after using this flea spray.

You will need…

-1 cup white distilled vinegar OR 1 cup apple cider vinegar OR a 50/50 blend of both
-1 quart fresh water
-2-3 drops of lavender or cedar oil
-a decent sized spray bottle

Directions

The essential oil isn’t vital, but it certainly gives the spray an extra edge (and a nice smell.) If you’re using it, add 2-3 drops as you add 1 cup of white distilled vinegar/apple cider vinegar/both to 1 quart of fresh water. Fill your spray bottle, and mist your dog, being careful not to get it in their eyes, nose, or ears-aka avoid spraying near the face. To get up around the neck and behind the ears/their chin area, dampen a soft cloth with the mixture and wipe it on. Spray your pets bedding and around it with this mixture lightly as well.

This is Prince -- he is Harold's nemesis. Of course he is too cute to be all bad. Or maybe that's not true. I wrote the book after Turbo was attacked by a tribe of little fluffy white terriers in the park. Of course Turbo wasn't worried - he knew he could handle it. Luckily a few are nice and now he has some new intimate-sniffing friends.

Turbo, our Black Lab/Healer has arrived in Hawaii. He flew here, with his master Adam, from California - quite an experience as he had to fly in the plane's hold.. He was anxious when he arrived, but he has settled right in. Here he visits a special place for dogs -- an ancient lava rock temple called Kuilioloa Heiau - Temple of a Supernatural Dog. Legend says that the Ku, the God of War and Human Sacrifice, looked down from the heavens and saw a beautiful princess bathing right here in this pretty cove. So, in a sneaky fashion, he came to earth as a little dog and played happily with her. Then he came back as a handsome chief and asked for her hand in marriage. Luckily her father suspected Ku and saw the difficulties in this relationship. He refused. It is said, ghost dogs still play at the beach and Ku appears in clouds over the high Waianae mountains. of West Oahu.

Of course, Turbo only eats organics. His master, Adam, insists on that. Adam says we would never munch away at animal by-products and he doesn't want Turbo to eat that stuff. He also is against Turbo eating the many chemicals and preservatives found in lots of dog food. Well, Turbo looks great, so its working for him. His glossy coat didnt always look that good. As a puppy, he had mange. Years of organics and eco friendly stuff have been good for him. And no one, just no one, can play Fetch as fast and for as long as Turbo.

Organic products are hard to find, especially reasonably priced ones.Turbo likes Lamb and Rice by Nutro - as long as its mixed with something a little juicy.We're still researching the best organic juicy food. Any tips?

What does your dog like? I'd love to include a list soon of the most popular organic dog foods, so your personal tips would be great.

Turbo also likes playing with his Tugzees toy - its on sale at the moment at around $10, excellent value. And its tough. He loves tough tug ropes and, as winter is coming up, he is sending his "cousin" in California a Green Dog hoodie for Christmas.

Any Green and organic tips welcome -- please send them in. Its great to get recommendations.