The effect of some of these drugs can last up to three months. Here’s how to choose the best flea oral treatments.
Pets are often exposed to various parasites that can pose a significant threat to their health. One possibility at our disposal to fight a part of it is constituted by oral flea treatments, easy to administer and highly effective.
Nowadays there are numerous products capable of combating fleas and ticks, among which pipettes, tablets, sprays and collars are to be noted. Such a variety of formats risks generating a certain uncertainty in the owners, who consequently tend to choose randomly or giving priority to the cheapest remedy.
When it comes to choosing between multiple oral flea treatments or topical treatments, one must first take into account the recommendations offered by the specialist doctor. It will be he who will evaluate the degree of exposure of the animal and the possible reaction to the drug used, according to its age and its size.
How to choose the best flea oral treatments
Most of these drugs are composed of a number of chemical agents whose properties can help determine the effectiveness of the product. Among the most common, the following should be highlighted:
- Lufenuron : acts exclusively against flea larvaeand is harmless to adult specimens and ticks. TheFood and Drug Administration (“Agency for Food and Medicines” or FDA) allows its use on dogs.
- Nitenpyram: is a fast-acting insecticide against fleas and ticks. Due to the short duration of its effect, veterinarians generally use it to eliminate parasites from a dog that has already been infected, rather than as a preventative action.
- Spinosad : aims to kill adult fleas through overstimulation of the nervous system. It is harmless to ticks. The FDA recommends its use only on non-epileptic dogs, although some human treatments have come to use headlicesuch as Natroba.
Advantages over topical treatments
Products to be taken by mouth generally come in the form of tablets to swallow or chew, because those to drink can be more difficult to administer. Over time, pharmaceutical laboratories have managed to improve its organoleptic properties. As a result, pets tend to associate them with appetizers or feed, rather than medicines.
Nevertheless, in the event that the tablet has a less palatable taste, it becomes easy to disguise it, if we impregnate it or mix it with tempting foods.
The quick and easy administration of oral flea treatments represent the main advantage, but they are also the factor of their latency. Generally, most of these drugs are effective in a period of one to three months after their application, especially if the degree of exposure is not very high. This permanence makes them a more practical alternative, compared to those for topical use, whose effects can affect the frequency of washing .
Smell is one of the main recognition signs of animals. Some topical pesticides give off an aroma that can greatly annoy pets and, consequently, cause nervous behavior after the first few hours of application.
Furthermore, just like in the case of humans, dogs can have atopic skin, or turn out to be reactive to the chemical compounds used, an event that rarely occurs in the case of oral treatments.
In general, the most suitable behavior is always to follow the recommendations of the specialist and verify the effectiveness of the product, after its use . The individual characteristics of each pet, the degree of exposure or the time of year can affect its mode of action, thereby reducing the protection of the animal.
Anti-fleas, the best do-it-yourself remedies for dogs
The fleas are a common malady that affects all pets. They are annoying for them and for human beings, because they can persist in the home environment for some time and end up hitting even you masters. To prevent this from happening, we will provide you with a list of what we consider to be the best flea systems and remedies for dogs.
So take a pencil and paper to write down these simple but very useful tips for the health of your four-legged friends.
The best DIY fleas
There is a wide range of brands and products on the market that serve to eliminate the plague of fleas . However, we have decided to talk to you about home remedies with things that you surely already have at home and that, moreover, will not harm your pet because they do not contain chemicals.
Vinegar
Vinegar is said to be used to practically eliminate almost any evil . The truth is that the more this product is studied, the more new and effective uses are discovered. Let’s see how vinegar can help you fight your favorite pet’s fleas.
Using vinegar (we recommend that of apple to avoid staining the hair of the dog ), when you bathe it, you will get an excellent anti-flea effect. How to apply it? Easy: wash the animal with its usual shampoo and, once rinsed, spread a cup of vinegar on the coat, avoiding it getting on the eyes and muzzle.
Let the vinegar act for about five minutes, to ensure that as many fleas as possible are exterminated, then finish rinsing with warm water. Comb your dog with a fine-toothed comb, similar to that used for lice in children, and dry the animal carefully. Repeat this simple operation every time you do the toilet and in no time you will have no more flea problems.
Comb
Just brush your dog every day with a fine-toothed comb that can eliminate fleas from its fur. In addition, you will also have the possibility to drag the eggs away, thus preventing other fleas from expanding, without control, along the body of your unsuspecting four-legged friend.
If you add a little vinegar to the pet’s fur before brushing, you will see that the fleas will move more slowly and it will be easier to use the comb to catch them . Even dry, that is, without having to wet the dog, the results will be excellent.
Lemon
Fleas hate the smell of lemon , a factor that makes this citrus the king of DIY flea remedies. To use it, you only have to put a liter of water to boil before dipping a whole lemon in the saucepan, but previously cut into slices.
Then, remove the pan from the heat and let the ointment sit overnight. The next day, pour the contents into a vaporizer and apply this organic blend to your pet’s coat and skin. Try to avoid that lands on the eyes and nose of your friend.
You must be careful that the lemon does not cause irritation on your pet’s skin . An allergy could also occur: in this case, stop applying lemon. Conversely, if everything is going normal and you don’t notice any strange reactions, do this twice a week . If you have a little left over, you can use the rest of the mixture to degrease the kitchen or clean the house.
Absinthe major
This plant is commonly known for its anti-parasitic properties and historically used against the plague. Therefore it is ideal as a flea for your pets. There are two ways to use it: one is to plant absinthe on the terrace of the house or in the garden, but also by placing a few pots of this plant at the entrance to the apartment.
Another effective way is to pack small bags of dry absinthe and distribute them throughout the house, especially in areas where more fleas may be hiding, first of all where the doghouse is and your little dog sleeps.
Cedar shavings
The speech of the cedar is analogous to the results already seen using lemon juice: fleas hate its smell . In this way, one of the ways to keep fleas away from your pet and the house is to spread cedar shavings in the most sensitive areas: the doghouse , the sofa, the edges of the carpets …
Under the furniture and in the corners there will be strategic points where the cedar will work at its highest level. To avoid that the shavings end up scattered around the house and give an impression of disorder and dirt, we recommend that you put them in a small breathable bag .
This is our special list of DIY remedies to get rid of fleas from dogs . Surely you already knew some of these tricks, in any case we invite you to try them: they are ecological, simple to prepare and absolutely effective.
Natural anti-flea for your pet
It is sad to see your pet being attacked by dozens of fleas . Fleas, in addition to being annoying, can endanger the health of the animal . Don’t despair! Today we will talk about some tricks to make a DIY flea for your pet.
Anyone who has a pet knows how difficult it can be to get rid of these annoying parasites. Fleas are a real plague: they infest carpets, sofas, furniture, etc.
What do I need to make a flea?
Making a DIY flea is simple, practical and above all very economical. You only need to get three ingredients from which you will get a powder to apply on the animal. Here are the ingredients:
- Diatomaceous earth or diatomaceous earth
- Neem powder
- Yarrow, or Yarrow, in powder form
It is a do-it-yourself flea, safe and harmless to the animal. To remove it, simply brush the animal’s fur. Furthermore, it is not only repellent against fleas, but against all insects, thus ensuring the well-being of your furry friend.
We know the ingredients
Diatomaceous earth or diatomaceous earth
It is a very important ingredient. Thanks to its high content of Silica (or diatomine), it is able to dehydrate cold-blooded organisms, without causing any harm to warm-blooded ones. This diatomaceous earth does not have a repellent action, it is a real pesticide that kills fleas.
Many people oppose the use of diatomaceous earth, especially since it can be harmful to reptiles. However, it has been shown that this natural ingredient is very effective against parasites and that it has no contraindications when used on the animal’s fur.
Yarrow, or Yarrow, in powder form
This plant has a healing, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect. It is perfect for healing wounds caused by insect bites, especially in case of skin irritation.
Neem powder
It is a natural repellent made from the bark of the Neem tree. This product inhibits the metamorphosis of insects and blocks their reproduction . It is also a great skin moisturizer.
DIY flea ingredients
- 50 gr of Diatomaceous earth powder
- 25 gr of Neem powder
- 25 gr of Achillea powder
- 1 large bowl
- 1 wooden spoon
- 1 plastic container with lid (preferably perforated)
Preparation
- Sift the ingredients and mix them in a bowl.
- Subsequently, mix them perfectly using a wooden spoon; avoid the formation of lumps.
- Once ready, you simply have to put the mixture obtained in a plastic container with a lid. It is important that the container is fitted with a lid to prevent moisture from forming.
- Store at room temperature in a cool, dry place to keep its properties unaltered.
How to use
Brush your pet’s fur to remove any residue of dirt. With this gesture, you will also be able to remove some fleas.
Take the do-it-yourself anti-flea and sprinkle it on the animal’s coat, start from the back and spread it up to the tail. Practice a light massage to better distribute the product and to allow the powder to adhere to the undercoat.
Avoid the eye area, mouth, nose, inner ear area, pelvic area and anus. Apply the powder only to the chest, back, belly, tail and lower neck.
Use the anti-flea once a month or after a bath. Remember that the powder must be applied to perfectly dry hair.
Do you know other do-it-yourself flea remedies ? Don’t hesitate to comment on this post to share your knowledge with other readers!
