Experiencing the great outdoors with our dog provides so many benefits. But there are also drawbacks: fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. As the weather heats up, the pests become more and more abundant. 

Conventional veterinarians will reach for prescription pads to arm you with flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives to protect your dog. However, there are many documented adverse reactions to those medications. Using natural bug repellents and taking additional precautions and steps to keep your area free of fleas, tack, and mosquitoes is a safer way to provide that protection.

Fleas and ticks are naturally attracted to your dogs as they search for a blood meal. However, healthy dogs have a natural immunity to most of these parasites. Combining a healthy lifestyle and natural pest control will keep your dog parasite-free.

Prevention of flea and tick infestation is crucial because of the diseases the parasites carry, including:

Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD): Some dogs are allergic to flea saliva; even a single flea bite can trigger an allergic reaction. FAD can cause intense itching, skin inflammation, hair loss, and secondary bacterial infections.

Anemia: Flea infestations can lead to anemia, especially in puppies or small dogs, due to blood loss from repeated flea bites.

Tapeworm Infection: Dogs can become infected with tapeworms by ingesting fleas that carry tapeworm eggs. Tapeworms can cause digestive disturbances, weight loss, and irritation around the anus.

Bacterial Infections: Flea bites can lead to skin infections caused by bacteria entering the skin through broken skin or irritated areas. These infections can cause localized redness, swelling, and discomfort.

Murine Typhus: While relatively rare, fleas can carry and transmit the bacteria Rickettsia typhi, which causes murine typhus. Clinical signs in dogs may include fever, lethargy, muscle pain, and loss of appetite.

Tularemia: Fleas can also transmit the bacteria Francisella tularensis, which causes tularemia. Clinical signs in dogs can vary but may include fever, swollen lymph nodes, lethargy, and respiratory problems.

Bartonellosis (Cat Scratch Disease): Fleas can carry Bartonella bacteria, which can be transmitted to dogs through flea bites. Infection with Bartonella can cause fever, swollen lymph nodes, lameness, and other signs.

Hemoplasmosis: Fleas can transmit various blood-borne pathogens, including hemotropic mycoplasmas, which can cause hemoplasmosis. Clinical signs may include anemia, lethargy, fever, and pale gums.

Ticks can transmit several diseases to dogs through their bites. Some of the most common tick-borne diseases in dogs include:

Lyme Disease: Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted by the black-legged tick (also known as the deer tick). Clinical signs in dogs may include fever, lethargy, joint pain or swelling, lameness, and decreased appetite. In severe cases, Lyme disease can lead to kidney damage and neurological issues.

Ehrlichiosis: Ehrlichiosis is caused by several species of the Ehrlichia bacteria and is transmitted by the brown dog tick, lone star tick, and other tick species. Clinical signs can vary depending on the stage of infection but may include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, swollen lymph nodes, joint pain, and bleeding disorders.

Anaplasmosis: Anaplasmosis is caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum (causing granulocytic anaplasmosis) or Anaplasma platys (causing thrombocytotropic anaplasmosis) and is transmitted by the black-legged tick, deer tick, and western black-legged tick. Clinical signs may include fever, lethargy, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and swollen lymph nodes.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF): Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii and is transmitted by the American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick, and brown dog tick. Clinical signs in dogs can include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, and neurological signs.

Babesiosis: Babesiosis is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia and is transmitted by the brown dog tick, American dog tick, and other tick species. Clinical signs may include fever, weakness, lethargy, pale gums, dark urine, and jaundice.

Hepatozoonosis: Hepatozoonosis is caused by the protozoan parasite Hepatozoon spp. and is transmitted by ingesting infected ticks. Clinical signs include fever, muscle pain, lethargy, weight loss, and lameness.

The primary concern with mosquitoes is heartworm infection. However, they also carry West Nile Encephalitis, a disease that can affect dogs and humans.

Toxic chemicals are not the only way to prevent flea, tick, and heartworm infestations. There are many natural alternatives.

Convention preventative medications for fleas, ticks, and heartworms pose many dangers to your dog. Flea and tick products usually contain pyrethrin or pyrethroids, also found in insect sprays for residential pest control. While we are often warned to keep our dogs off yards or greasy areas sprayed with these chemicals, we are encouraged to use the products on our dogs' skin directly.

Pyrethroids alter nerve function, which leads to paralysis in the target insect, resulting in death. Unfortunately, there's no way to ensure that the dog treated with these chemicals is safe. There have been growing complaints of illnesses, including twitching, hives, excessive saliva, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of coordination, convulsions, seizures, and even death.

Most flea and tick products are applied every month, meaning a monthly neurotoxic dose is given to your dog. Essentially, you continuously apply a pesticide around your dog's neck for weeks and, in many cases, years. These products highly damage your dog's immune system, primarily to dogs immunocompromised with diseases, including cancer.

When using natural alternatives, the key is to use them multidimensionally. There is no one natural product that will prevent all flea and tick infestations. Using several methods in conjunction with each other provides the best results.

Diatomaceous Earth: Also called DE, it is a white, talc-like powder. Diatomaceous Earth is composed of the fossils of sea phytoplankton. Microscopically, DE is very sharp, damaging to insects with an exoskeleton (like fleas) but not to mammals. Unlike the one used in swimming pools, you must use a food-grade DE. The correct way to apply DE is to sprinkle it around baseboards, carpets, etc., to prevent flea eggs from hatching. Holistic veterinarians use it for deworming as well.

Garlic: The ingredient in garlic that is of interest, allicin, is created when the protective coating of the garlic cloves is cut or chopped. When garlic is chopped or crushed, the alliinase enzyme is activated, producing allicin from alliin in intact garlic cloves. 

The transformation of alliin to allicin is rapid and complete, taking less than 10 seconds at 74 °F when fresh garlic has been cut. The stability of the allicin is short-lived. References state that garlic should be provided to dogs within an hour of being chopped to receive the full medicinal benefits. However, due to the instability of the allicin, feeding the garlic to the dog within 20 minutes of it being chopped is recommended. Due to the differences in clove size, the teaspoon measurement of minced garlic is more accurate, especially for smaller dogs.

Apple Cider Vinegar balances a dog's pH levels, creating an environment that remains healthy for your dog but not sustainable for fleas. Mix six cups of cider vinegar with four cups of water, sprinkle in some sea salt, and spritz on your dog's coat while avoiding your dog's eyes. 

One teaspoon of coconut oil rubbed into your dog's coat will repel fleas and result, resulting in a healthier, shinier coat and smooth scents. If added to your dog's food, there will be an additional benefit of reducing the risk of internal parasites due to their antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties.

Home-made flea collars offer continuous flea protection continuously without spraying or rubbing on the mixture. If you want a collar or bandanna, apply a homemade lavender or cedar oil mix to the fabric for your pup to wear day-round.

Neem oil is extracted from the seeds of the neem tree. India has a long history of using this tree for medical purposes. It is all-natural and non-toxic and can repel fleas, mosquitos, and ticks on contact. You can use neem oil without dilution and place it directly on the body (behind the ears, on the base of the tail, in the middle of the back).

Not only is peppermint effective in repelling fleas, but it also acts as a calming agent for itchy, flea-bitten skin. And, with its plant-based compounds, it can aid in pH balance.

Rosemary offers an effective organic flea prevention method. Not only can it be used on your dog's coat, but it can also be used to get rid of light flea infestations in the home. Create a powder using rosemary, wormwood, fennel, and peppermint; mix these herbs and ground into a fine powder with a pestle and mortar. Then, rub the mixture into your dog's fur for pest protection.

Electrostatic characteristics help keep fleas and ticks away. It also has a distinct fragrance.  Baltic amber resin provides these properties, but it must be raw and not jewel-like in appearance. 

A rosemary dip is an excellent option for dogs who enjoy bath time. First, steep the fresh rosemary leaves in boiling water. Then, strain the mixture and dilute it in warm water. Once the water is warm, pour the mixture over your dog and allow it to dry naturally.

Baking soda applied to your dog's fur will naturally dehydrate fleas and flea eggs. Apply on a dry coat.

Wondercide or Cedarcide uses a highly diluted essential oil mixture that repels fleas and ticks naturally.  

Ultrasonic tags are effectiveare designed to repel fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. There are varying accounts of efficacy, but they are a viable addition to the layers of natural protection. 

Natural flea and tick products must be used correctly to ensure their efficacy. Natural powders, like Diatomaceous Earth, prevent your dogs from inhaling the DE. While it is safe on the skin and even for consumption, it is not safe when inhaled. You want it on her body. It's fine in texture, and although it's safe for the body and safe to consume, it's not safe for the lungs.

Garlic must slowly accumulate in your dog's body to be effective against fleas and ticks. Regular grooming and a healthy lifestyle are essential in preventing fleas and ticks. 

Some types of flea and tick prevention are essential, especially in areas where infestations are severe. However, there are alternatives to prescription medications that can result in many adverse side effects.

Garlic is a powerful flea and tick preventative when appropriately used.

Essential oils can be used successfully for flea and tick prevention. 

EPA Evaluation of Pet Spot-on Products: Analysis and Plans for Reducing Harmful Effects 

Suspected neurological toxicity after oral application of fluralaner (Bravecto®) in a Kooikerhondje dog | BMC Veterinary Research 

Pyrethrin/Pyrethroid Poisoning in Dogs | VCA Animal Hospital 

Antimicrobial activity of apple cider vinegar against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans; downregulating cytokine and microbial protein expression | Scientific Reports 

An analytical and theoretical approach for the profiling of the antioxidant activity of essential oils: The case of Rosmarinus officinalis L. - ScienceDirect 

Plant-based insect repellents: a review of their efficacy, development, and testing | Malaria Journal 

Potential of Ultrasound to Control Sesamia cretica (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)  

Natural Flea and Tick Preventatives

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