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We have four dogs and one cat and we've never had an issue with fleas (#knockonwood) and this is why I think we've been so lucky.

Years ago, when I was still taking my dogs to a traditional vet, the veterinarian combed through my dogs' hair for the longest time, repeating, “they don't have fleas.”

“Of course, my babies don't have fleas!  They're raw fed.”  I didn't say that out loud.

Although fleas are a year-round problem for many dogs, we only start preparing for Flea Season (Spring through Fall).  Guess what! There is no flea season because, in the winter, the fleas that laid eggs or were chilling in the heating ducts will wake up and start popping around on our dogs (and us).

We've dodged the flea problem for years by doing a few easy things for our dogs and home.

5 Things I Do to Protect Our Dogs from Fleas

They don't believe me when I tell people my dogs have never had fleas.  A flea may have landed on one of them, but it never sticks around.  I learned about free prevention from other dog owners using natural prevention.  When someone first told me what to do, I was skeptical – fleas are unavoidable. – but they were right.

1. Raw Fed Dogs (and Garlic) Aren't Tasty to Fleas

Our dogs eat a raw food diet.  Someone told me that fleas don't like the taste of raw fed dogs; I think they're right.  But I'm unwilling to accept that this is all I need to do to prevent fleas on my dogs and in our home.

According to Dr. Peter Dobias, the reasons dogs fed processed foods attract fleas are…

  • fleas love sugar highs, and kibble diets cause severe blood glucose spikes, attracting fleas.
  • fleas are attracted to animals with stronger odors and less healthy skin.

That sounds great and all, but I know many raw feeders who are still battling fleas. A friend raves about adding garlic to her dogs' diet and the benefits. We're often told that garlic is toxic to dogs, but the study this myth is based on was feeding dogs garlic at amounts we would never do in reality.

I began regularly adding Springtime garlic granules to my dogs' diet earlier this year because of the fantastic benefits. I chose a garlic supplement versus fresh garlic because it's more accessible and served, and I'm not worried about giving too much to my dogs. Fresh garlic in my area is often imported, and garlic from some countries is high in arsenic, which I want to avoid.

Benefits of Garlic for Dogs

  • garlic is a natural antibiotic, antifungal, and antiparasitic (flea/tick repellent)
  • garlic helps to boost the immune system
  • garlic has cancer-fighting properties
  • garlic acts as a natural detox
  • garlic promotes healthy gut bacteria
  • garlic helps to reduce inflammation
  • garlic supports cardiac health
  • garlic supports cognitive health

Garlic increases a body's anti-clotting properties, so it's unsuitable for dogs diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma. It also shouldn't be fed to puppies, pregnant dogs, or dogs with anemic conditions.

Learn more about the misleading study about garlic and dogs.

2. Natural Flea and Tick Repellents ROCK!

I used to alternate between Wondercide and Cedarcide natural flea-repellent products.  What I love about these brands is that their products also repel mosquitos.  We don't have to worry about heartworm in Washington state, but this could change.  I don't want to take a chance with three ponds on our property.  The fish and frogs can't catch every bug.

A couple of years ago, I switched my dogs to a product by Kin+Kind, which is very effective and smells great. I switched when Wondercide made an ingredients change that freaked people out. I still don't know if the ingredient change was a big deal, but I'm happy to have a third option for my dogs.

Below are the products that I alternate with our dogs today:

I treat my dogs weekly, massaging the product into their coat. I've even used these products on myself to keep mosquitoes away.

3. Regular Grooming Repels Fleas

Recently, I learned that if you're using the right shampoo (not human shampoo, not dish detergent), you can shampoo your dogs weekly (daily if necessary) without harming their skin and coat. My dogs get baths when needed today, which isn't that often. I switched to natural dog shampoo years ago because it's healthier and safer.

I alternate between 4-Legger Dog Shampoo, certified organic and all-natural (not a marketing gimmick), and Skout's Honor Probiotic Shampoo.  If fleas hitch a ride on our dogs, they go down the drain before I see them.

Coconut Oil Kills Fleas

When not bathing my dogs, I massage their coats with therapeutic-grade coconut oil, a natural flea and tick killer. The coconut oil coasts the exoskeleton of fleas and ticks, slowing them down and suffocating them while healing any bites, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial benefits.

  • For prevention, I massage a small amount into my dogs' coats. The antibacterial properties of coconut oil also take care of the doggy odor. I do this once a week (or every other week) year around. My dogs' coats are shiny but not greasy.
  • To address an outbreak, it's advised to massage a generous amount of coconut oil into our dogs' skin and coat and wash off 8 hours later using your favorite natural shampoo. I choose to do an overnight treatment when the dogs are sleeping.

Regular dog grooming is a great way to bond with your dog; it also keeps them clean and relaxed and can serve as an at-home exam.

4. House Cleaning Keeps the Fleas Away

We removed the carpet on the home's main level (where the dogs are); today, we sweep and mop the floors every other day.  I vacuum our floors, too (it works better than sweeping sometimes).  It sounds overkill, but we have four dogs and one cat.

If you're worried about an infestation, Febreze kills fleas and eggs.  I know it's terrible for us to inhale, but it does work.  Put the dogs in the yard for the day, and spray the furniture (underneath, too), rugs, and carpet.  Years ago, two treatments killed all the fleas a new kitten (Jaffrey) brought into my apartment.  Not ideal, but I thought it was better than using a flea bomb.

A natural solution that has mixed reviews is diatomaceous earth.  You can sprinkle it on dog beds and flooring, let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum. The issue with diatomaceous earth is that breathing in is unhealthy, which would impact the dogs since they're closer to the ground.

5. Dog Parks are Full of Fleas (IMO)

This tip may have something to do with the lack of fleas on our dogs, or it could just be my tainted view of the dog park and my weak attempt to provide an excuse to go on an entirely unnecessary rant.  But here goes…10 Reasons Dog Parks SUCK!

  1. Some people fail to pick up their dog's poop.
  2. People are more focused on their phones than their dogs.
  3. Misguided dog owners think the dog park is all they need to socialize their dogs.
  4. People bring their aggressive or anxious dogs.
  5. That butt munch who did an alpha rollover on this dog endangered himself, his dog, and the rest of us.
  6. The crazy couple who brought toys to the park and got mad that other dogs wanted to play.
  7. The lady who carries her small dog the entire time while screaming as the dogs are attracted to her.
  8. Retractable Leashes.
  9. The morons who brought their Kentucky Fried Chicken and dropped the bones “for the dogs.”
  10. The couples who bring their toddlers to the dog park to “play with the pretty dogs.”

Rant Over.

More Ways to Repel Fleas

When Fleas are Still an Issue

Our lack of fleas could be luck, good Karma, or it could be that the advice I received a few years ago was spot on.  Someone once told me that fleas hate the sun, and our property is 95% sunshine and 5% shade.  If this theory is correct, we live on a flea-unfriendly property.  Whatever the reason, I'm thankful I don't have to use chemical flea and tick repellents.

Sadly, not everyone has the same luck that I have. I know people who feed raw, bathe their dogs regularly, and keep a cleaner house than we do, and they still have fleas. While I'd love to think that there is a simple list of things to keep fleas at bay, the reality is that what works for our house may not work for others. If this is the case for you, I'd love it if you'd share how you're keeping fleas to a minimum. I don't know when my good luck will run out, and I want to be prepared.

Read More About Dog Health

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