Get Rid of Fleas through Holistic Treatments: 3 Alternative Ways Your Pets will Love
Holistic - it's one of those words you often hear when people are referring to the alternative way of dealing with health problems. But there's more to holistic treatment than just being a substitute for conventional medical approach because they have their own proven benefits. For this reason, more and more of us are turning to them for solutions.
But we are not the only specie who can benefit from this alternative approach. These days, veterinary care already employs some of the most popular holistic methods to help your furry friends. Examples include aromatherapy, massage, and herbology, which are not only effective in healing your pets of diseases but also in ridding them of flea infestation.
Compared to humans, animals have a keener sense of smell. And this is precisely the reason aromatherapy works effectively for them. Some scents affect animals the same way they do humans. One excellent example is the lavender scent, which has a relaxing and calming effect on both humans and their pets. Aside from being a sedative, lavender also works as a natural flea repellent. Other aromatic scents that help get rid of fleas on your pets include eucalyptus, pennyroyal, lemon, cedarwood, and citronella.
So, how do you make use of these scents to get rid of fleas? One way is through candle diffusion. Here's how:
- Allow a candle to burn for about 5 minutes then extinguish it.
- Pour a few drops of the essential oil into the melted wax after the light has been put out.
- Rekindle the flame. This allows the scent to be diffused in the room.
It is suggested that the candle be placed where your pet frequently hangs out to drive away fleas in the area.
Everyone loves a good massage, including your pets. This holistic treatment is becoming all the rage these days because of its numerous benefits. A massage does not only relieve pain, and reduce anxiety and depression on your pet, but helps get rid of fleas as well. What's more, giving your animal companion a nice rubdown is proven to foster your bond.
For a good massage, you will need a soft but firm surface and a bottle of flea powder or essential oil. A word of caution about essential oils: don't use them on cats. Cats cannot metabolize essential oils and are therefore poisonous to them. Moreover, a cat's thin and delicate skin can easily absorb essential oils into the bloodstream. Dogs, however, have a better tolerance for them.
To prepare your pet for the massage:
- Have it lie down on a rug or carpet.
- Carefully apply the massage oil or powder on your pet. Make sure you cover all the favorite hiding places of fleas such as the back of the ears and in between paws.
- Start with light and slow strokes from the head down to the tail.
- Once your pet becomes relaxed, begin rubbing in small, circular patterns using three fingers, and proceed by giving light squeezes.
- Conclude your massage session by stroking your pet once again.
The concept of herbology is no longer new. Way before medicines were developed by scientists, our ancestors already used flowers and plants to treat various diseases. However, using plants as medicines never really grew out of fashion. These days, herbal medications are used as inexpensive alternative for treating different health problems in humans and in pets.
Many people are all for the idea of using herbal remedies because they are natural and readily available. Examples include:
- Garlic - is one of the most widely and commonly used herbal remedies for fleas. Just as vampires hate them, blood-sucking pests like fleas and ticks hate the smell and taste of garlic as well.
- Citrus or lemon - is another excellent herbal treatment. When lemon is boiled in water, it acts as an effective flea spray.
- Rosemary, cedar, and mint - are other plants and herbs that can help you get rid of fleas. You can make packets of these herbs and place them in areas where your pet often lounges about.
Despite being a good alternative to conventional medical approach, holistic treatments should not be considered as an exact science. These methods don't guarantee positive results all the time so relying on them solely and completely is never a good idea. With that said, keep in mind that consulting a veterinarian is still the best way to go.