Wednesday, May 7, 2008

"Natural" Flea and Tick Preventatives

I feed Ike and Bug BugOff Garlic. I have had GREAT success with this product for Mr. Ike. During the tick-infested months I feed double the dose. Since I wasn’t sure what dose Bug had been getting (Holly also feeds it and I keep forgetting to ask her how much he was getting) I wanted a little something extra for hiking. There are tons of commercial “natural” flea and tick preventatives, and non-commercial preventatives including organic apple cider vinegar and Dr. Anne’s concoction.

Because I was feeling lazy, last time I picked up vet wrap for Ikey I also picked up some Natural Defense spray.

I had done a bit of research and wasn’t comfortable using the topical as lots of dogs didn’t like the very strong smell.

Well, I don’t know if Carol and Blue noticed Bug's clove/cinnamon odor last night, but it IS strong. I only sprayed his under carriage once and it was overwhelming. I can not imagine if I’d use the topical. I can still smell it today! The jury is still out on whether it is effective. I didn’t find any bugs on the Bug last night after he was in the tall grass and Ike often gets ticks at the barn, so….

If any one has a “natural” brand spray they swear by I would be interested! Ike and Bug say, “Thanks – we hate ticks.”

7 comments:

Katrin said...

Ah-HA! That's what the smell was last night!!!! I couldnt' figure it out, I thought it was just my brain being weird and I didn't want to ask as no one else seemed to be bothered by it and heck I am over sensitive to stuff anyway so for all I knew it could have been coming from the horses in the barn all the way across the parking lot.

I will tell you, I didn't like that smell much, even though I usually like the smell of cloves and cinnamon, it was tooo strong.

Blue said...

I did notice that Bug smelled nice, but I thought maybe it just that he'd had a bath. But, I'm rarely bothered by smells.

I just started using BugOff Garlic for Iris a few weeks ago, and I definitely think it helps. I hope you get some suggestions for a spray because I'd like something a little extra for when I take her hiking too. I can't bring myself to use any of the chemical ones (Frontline, etc).

ann-and-partner said...

You increase the BugOff Garlic this time of year? Partner is 60lbs so he takes 2tab twice a day. Should I increase it? He had a problem with ticks last fall.

ann-and-partner said...

Julie, Sorry I didn't say how cute Bug is, and wish you great times together!!

Jules said...

Hi Ann: yes, I would start to increase it. I have found it helps significantly!

And thanks re: Bug!

Cat, Tessie, & Strata said...

I had this lemongrass oil bug repellant a million years ago that I used to use on Tessie, who gets lovely hard swellings at the site of any bug bite (mosquito, flea, etc.) It worked really well and I didn't find the scent too off-putting. It does make the coat a bit oily but Tessie's coat's a mess anyway, so. :P I'd usually dab a bit in my hair to keep the bugs off me, too.

Might be worth looking into.

Jules said...

Hmmm...Thanks, I will have to look some more. The problem is there are SO many options!! I don't know what actually works.