Natural Flea Control Program

Did you know that a flea can jump as high as 10 inches? That’s the equivalent of a frog jumping over your house … or Michael Jordan slam dunking a goal on top of the Sears Tower.

The war against these parasitic superstars starts as early as March, or whenever the ground where you live begins to thaw. That is when the fleas will start to hatch. Some believe this is the original meaning of “March Madness” … but I digress.

The first step in the war on fleas is to ensure that your pet is given a healthy diet. Pets that are fed a poor quality or high-grain diet seem to be more attractive to fleas and ticks. Excessive shedding or a dull coat typically indicates the pet is not receiving adequate nutrition.

Feed a Healthy Diet• Eliminate corn and wheat in the diet.
• At best, use a grain-free dry diet or feed a raw diet.
• Add a Yeast and Garlic supplement. (works over time to rid fleas)

Eliminate Existing Fleas (use one or more methods)
• Bathe the pet with a good flea shampoo or dip.
• Give the pet a dose of Capstar. (Dog and Cats)

Many people don't want to use chemical means for flea control. Some people have sensitivities to certain chemicals; others just don't want to do it.

Ideally, you should compare flea control products to natural methods. Sometimes the health risks to pets from having fleas are worth using a flea collar, powder bath, or other chemical methods.

This blog will attempt to give you some useful information about using a holistic approach to getting rid of these pesky critters with a natural flea control program.

Diatomaceous Earth (Food Grade) - This is basically a non-chemical kind of soil (powder) designed to kill insects. It doesn't have any chemicals - it relies on tiny, sharp edges on the dirt that do damage to the exoskeleton of a flea or other pests. It can be used in two ways- around the house on beds, furniture and flooring or directly on the pet.

But the most important thing to know and remember about the flea is that the majority of its life is spent away from the host animal. Fleas invade our pets only when they need a transfusion.

Nematodes - While you can't kill all the fleas that your pet is going to encounter when it goes outside, you can keep the population down in the area around your house by placing these small microscopic worms in moist, shady spots near your house. They will eat flea larvae and are therefore a natural way to control the flea population. You have only to introduce a small number to have the desired effect as they will rapidly multiply.

Natural Shampoos – There are a variety of natural shampoos and dips that effectively kill or repel fleas on contact. These products are gentle and fresh smelling and will not strip essential oils from the pet’s skin. These natural products are effective on both dogs and cats when used according to instructions.

Herbal Sprays – These products are natural repellants that work in conjunction with other topical flea preparations. Ingredients like Neem Oil, Lemon, Eucalyptus, Cedar Oil and Cinnamon make up these fresh-smelling sprays that are used between baths or before going outside to repel fleas.

Shoo!TAG™ is a non-toxic “tag” that uses electromagnetic frequencies to create a protective barrier from pests that lasts up to 4 months! It contains a three dimensional electromagnetic frequency embedded in the magnetic strip and combines with the pet’s electrical field to produce an expanding barrier effect, keeping targeted pests away.

Sanitize your pet's environment - Fleas lay their eggs everywhere --in carpets, curtains, upholstery, animal bedding, cracks and crevices. Boric Acid is one of the safest and most effective methods for getting rid of fleas in your home. It is the active ingredient in Inside Flea Relief.

The products mentioned in this blog, including specialized pet food and diet supplements are available at Bark n Purr Pet Center.
Call us at (512) 452-3883.

Diabetes in Dogs

Just like humans, dogs can get diabetes too.
Diabetes in Dogs is a hereditary disease.
This serious life-threatening auto-immune disease may lead to further system malfunctions.

There are two types - Insipidus and Diabetes Mellitus.
Both types are due to the malfunction of the endocrine glands.

Insipidus - characterized by lack of anti-diuretic hormone that controls water absorption in the kidney.
Diabetes Mellitus -characterized by insulin deficiency preventing the body from metabolizing sugar.

The latter is the most common and dangerous type of Diabetes.

Diabetes Mellitus is divided into two groups - Type 1 and Type 11.

Type 1 occurs in the dogs early years, while Type 11 is seen in dogs passed middle years.

Aside from older dogs, bigger dog breeds and obese dogs are more susceptible to diabetes than the smaller breeds.

Certain medications or insulin injections may be required for pets suffering from the worst cases of this disease.

Diabetes in Dogs can lead to other complications, particularly heart ailments.

Treatments to restore proper insulin balance are very important to extend the life of your pet - read more >

Arthritis in Dogs

Arthritis in dogs can affect them as they get older.
Dogs can suffer from similar ailments that we get as we age, including arthritis and pain in the joints.

Arthritis in Dogs - watching for the non-verbal clues:

(1) Favoring a limb.
(2) Stiff and sore joints.
(3) Sleeping more - weight gain.
(4) Difficulty sitting or standing - less alert.
(5) Decreased activity and less interest in play.

Some breeds of dogs are more prone than others to getting certain ailments and you need to be aware of the problems that your particular breed of dog might get as it grows older.

If your pet suffers from pain, don't invest in a treatment that is not clinically approved.
You should begin vet-approved therapies to relieve the pain in your dog as soon as possible - read more >

Cushings Disease in Dogs

Is your pet showing symptoms of Cushing's disease?
There are some common symptoms to watch for:

(1) Increased water consumption and urination - previous house broken animals may begin to have accidents.

(2) Increase in appetite - dogs may begin stealing food, getting into the garbage and begging continuously.

(3) Abdominal enlargement - weakened stomach muscles may result in a pot-bellied look.

(4) Hair loss and thin skin - hair loss begins over areas of wear and skin becomes easily damaged.

Remember, Cushing's disease in dogs is managed, not cured.

It is important for the pet owner to become familiar with this dreaded disease and to be aware of early intervention procedures that may facililtate the speedy recovery of your pet. read more >