As Summer turns to Autumn, we are getting lots of customers contacting us about fleas. These annoying pests not only irritate pets, and the scratching caused is tiresome for owners too, but more importantly they can also cause severe skin problems in both dogs and cats as some pets can have an allergic reaction to their bites.
How herbal products can help…
There are no herbal products that will actually eradicate fleas, ticks or lice. The only way to be absolutely confident that you have eradicated them is to use a chemical licensed flea treatment. However there are plants that can have an important role to play in the prevention of infestations, as the oils they contain provide a hostile environment in which fleas and ticks would prefer not to live.
Garlic
One of the most effective and widely used plants is Garlic, which has been used for thousands of years to provide an environment that parasites find hostile. It contains a volatile oil, allyl methyl sulphide, which is responsible for its strong smell and is absorbed into the blood and from there through the whole system. Although some people like to add fresh garlic to their dog’s food, the quantity given this way is not generally adequate to act as a flea repellent. To be effective garlic needs to be given in a more concentrated form and on a regular basis to ensure there is a sufficient amount in the blood stream to discourage fleas and ticks from staying around.
Our garlic-containing products are developed to allow you to administer a consistent, measured amount of garlic to your pet, so that they can enjoy the many benefits of garlic and you can have peace of mind. A recent study demonstrated that giving garlic extract to dogs, at a much higher amount than that found in our products, had no adverse effects. Garlic & Fenugreek Tablets are ideal for this purpose and being coated they are easy to give and palatable. Being coated the garlic aroma is encased and this reduces the aroma of garlic for those owners who don’t like the smell.
You may have been told that garlic is toxic to dogs and cats and so wonder why we sell garlic products specifically for them? It’s true that garlic can be toxic to our pets but like with many things, it comes down to how much and how it is administered. Even people can experience some nasty side effects if they consume too much garlic!
Black Peppermint
Peppermint has been used by people for centuries for natural healthcare, and as an insect repellent. The oil is incorporated into Dorwest’s Clean & Fresh Dog Shampoo and as well as being an excellent cleansing shampoo it also leaves a pleasant minty aroma on the coat which fleas don’t like and so is a powerful deterrent for these parasites.
Find out more about how veterinary herbal supplements can help your dog by getting in touch with our friendly team on 01308 897 272 or shop our range of herbal pet care online. Receive free UK delivery on orders over £50.
Please remember, you should always consult a vet if you are concerned about your pet’s health.
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14 thoughts on "Can you help fleas stay away naturally?"
Hello my 2 ragdoll cats have caught fleas since we moved house, they go outside in the garden but not further than that so I think they must be in the house. I do keep up to date with worming but am keen to not have to use a pharmaceutical flea treatment monthly once this infestation is dealt with. I have heard such conflicting things about garlic especially for cats. Are your garlic tablets ok to use regularly as a preventative measure on cats? There is so much on the internet about how toxic it is for them especially. I can't help but feel that the chemical flea treatments must be more toxic though. – Laura
Hi Laura – Garlic has been known to deter fleas and ticks as they don't like the taste once it's it's in their hosts system. Because of this, garlic has been used for millennia for pets to help this plus to provide all-body health benefits. It's true that garlic can be toxic to some animals but like with many things, it comes down to how much and how it is administered. Even people can experience some nasty side effects if they consume too much garlic!
Our garlic containing products are developed to allow you to administer a consistent, measured amount of garlic to your pet, so that they can enjoy the many benefits of garlic and you can have peace of mind. A recent study demonstrated that giving garlic extract to dogs, at a much higher amount than that found in our products, had no adverse effects.
If you have any questions, please do give us a call on 01308897272 or email [email protected]
My dog has had a serious reaction to his tick and flea treatment from the vet so we are thinking of giving him your garlic tablets. If he is 20kg does that mean he has to have 4 tablets a day? I dont want to give him an overdose
Hi Kelly – Oh no, poor boy! Yes, as a treatment dose he would need 4 tablets per day then can go down to 2 tablets per day as a maintenance dose. This can be split between meals. I hope this helps. If you have any further questions, please do get in touch with our advisors – call 01308897272 or email [email protected]
Hi. I am concerned whether or not to purchase your pennyroyal flea shampoo because this article (linked below) cites studies which say penny royal is sfor dogs, whether eaten (and dogs lick their fur) or absorbed through the skin. It is a great flea repellant for sure but that does not make it safe so would be grateful please if you could provide the evidence, rather than anecdotes, that it is safe? https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/what-you-should-know-about-pennyroyal/. Thank you
Hi Rhiannon, we have been manufacturing and supplying our Pennyroyal Dog & Cat Shampoo for over 40 years and have never had any incidences of adverse reactions or side effects associated with its use. It is a very popular product and although it does contain Pennyroyal, which is a volatile oil, there is only a small amount in the shampoo, enough to have the insect repellent properties from the aroma, but not enough to be toxic at all in the quantity that is included in the formulation. This is supported by our records showing no adverse reactions or problems over a 40 year period.
Bella and Duke customer recommends the garlic to repel fleas and ticks. My dog started to have seizures just before his 5th birthday and we have cut out further vaccinations, wormers & spot on and we changed his diet to raw food! Fingers crossed 🤞 he has been fit free for 3 years!! I am nervous about anything I give him can you advise?
Hi Donna, the Garlic & Fenugreek Tablets or Garlic Tablets are certainly what we recommend to help repel fleas and ticks, and are both licensed herbal medicines by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. They both have no known interactions with other medications, and are not associated with seizures. But due to their condition and being fit free (for so long!) we would recommend to discuss the use of these tablets with a vet who can advise further for your dog 😊 Fingers crossed! The Dorwest Team
I wonder if you can help us? My cat, 19 years old, has suffered with fleas all summer. We have used frontline every two weeks three times and I have hoovered the house more regularly and used indorex twice since finding the fleas. No improvement. I have given him Advantage today. He is jumpy and miaowing every 20 mins.
Is there any product we can give him to help with the fleas? miaowing etc. We have had to put him out this evening as the miaowing is so loud it is waking us all up.
The only other thing to say is that we lost his lovely brother cat two months ago, cancer – old age.
Hello Catherine. The Garlic & Fenugreek tablets can help to provide an environment that parasites such as fleas find hostile and therefore tend to avoid, acting as a repellent. However please be aware that this is not a treatment for when they already have fleas, as the Garlic & Fenugreek will only help to deter, and not kill the fleas directly.
If their recent behaviour of meowing is due to anxiety, then you may also want to consider the Scullcap & Valerian Tablets which are a licensed herbal medicine to help calm and relax dogs and cats whether they are anxious or hyperactive. For their dose, they will need 1-2 tablets per 5 kgs bodyweight daily, ideally given as two split doses. If you’d like more help or advice do give us a call on 01308 897272- The Dorwest Team
My six-month-old puppy currently has fleas, we’ve bathed him, combed him, sprayed natural sprays etc but they’re still there so I wanted something to give him to work from the inside. Are you garlic tablets suitable and safe for a puppy of this age? Many thanks.
Hi Anne,
Yes our tablets and shampoos are suitable for use on dogs and cats over the age of 8 weeks. The Tablet dose is also according to weight as to not overload the system for smaller dogs. We cannot promise that these tablets will completely get rid of fleas however the Garlic creates an environment that fleas and ticks do not like, therefore making it more of a repellent. Hope this help
Hi Katrina – thanks for your question. This is something we are asked frequently – our Garlic products, Garlic Tablets and Garlic and Fenugreek Tablets are both licensed herbal medicines approved by the UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate, and as such are subject to close scrutiny with regards to their effect on animals. With regards to our products we have not had any cases of garlic toxicity in the 40 years we have been producing these products. We will be publishing a blog soon that goes into more detail about garlic as this is often a misunderstood area. Thanks again for asking you question, if you want any further information please do not hesitate to contact us either by phone or email ([email protected]) – Ben
Is Garlic safe to use on dogs as it is part of the onion family which is poisonous to dogs?