Fleas - Tea tree oil - advice needed

Dollardog

My dog has not got fleas and I don't like the thought of using those drops that you put on their necks or sprays if I can help it, too many chemicals, I don't think it can do them any good if its being taken into their bodies to kill fleas - just my personal opinion and I know some will disagree.

I know that tea tree oil is a deterant to mites/lice etc - I've even read it helps fight MRSA but I digress!!
I have also read that it is dangerous if animals digest it, although I have a friend who uses the ointment on her dog who licks it off with no obvious effects, although that is probably only a weak solution anyway.

My dog has to go to his dog sitter next week, her partner was working recently in some flats and brought fleas home. They have sprayed their house well and there are no signs of any now, they do not have any pets of their own. Not sure if there will be any unhatched eggs left though, so they should probably spray again, but how long after initially spraying?

I was going to put a dab of tea tree oil on the back of my dogs head to deter any from settling on him, just wondered if anyone knew if that was safe for dogs and if anyone else had tried it?
Tea tree oil is safe to put neat on people and I thought if I just put it on the back of his head, he wouldn't be able to lick it.

I will be going to the vet's tomorrow anyway to get some more of his tablets and will ask her but would appreciate anyone's thoughts.

TIA

purple.sarah

Using tea tree oil on cats or small to medium-size dogs can be dangerous. The reason being that cats and small dogs are highly susceptible to poisoning from straight essential oils, especially tea tree oil and menthol. Personally I don't risk it with my big dogs just in case but small dogs and cats are particularly susceptible because of their small body size and the ability of their liver and kidneys to process the essential oils. Tea tree oil has a relatively low toxicity to large animals and humans.

Dollardog

I should have said the size, he is a Boxer. Thanks for that, might have to reconsider then, although still not going for the chemical stuff, it is linked to tumours and a friend's dog developed a tumour after being treated, probably a coincidence but as Boxers are prone to tumours anyway, not taking chances.

Dollardog

Update - just found this article whilst googling tea tree oil for dogs

http://www.ehow.co.uk/list_6049440_side-tea-tree-oil-dogs.html

So will not be using it,

Anyone know of any safe natural deterents please?

krlyr

Garlic is meant to be a natural deterrent. You can buy odourless garlic tablets from health shops. You could buy a flea comb (or a human nit comb) and brush him thoroughly when he returns to catch any stray fleas before they get into your home and lay eggs.
I don't like using too many chemicals on my dogs but I use flea treatment to cover lungworm. Flea treatment may cause health issues but lungworm can be fatal so I'd rather risk it with the flea treatment.

Dollardog

krlyr wrote: »

Garlic is meant to be a natural deterrent. You can buy odourless garlic tablets from health shops. You could buy a flea comb (or a human nit comb) and brush him thoroughly when he returns to catch any stray fleas before they get into your home and lay eggs.
I don't like using too many chemicals on my dogs but I use flea treatment to cover lungworm. Flea treatment may cause health issues but lungworm can be fatal so I'd rather risk it with the flea treatment.

I do have a nit comb and go over him with it sometimes. Thanks.

JennMcNeal23

A diluted vinegar bath also works - it makes their coat shiny! The smell is a nuisance when bathing them but, afterwards, it rinses out and not longer smells.

Mojisola

krlyr wrote: »

Garlic is meant to be a natural deterrent. You can buy odourless garlic tablets from health shops. You could buy a flea comb (or a human nit comb) and brush him thoroughly when he returns to catch any stray fleas before they get into your home and lay eggs.
I don't like using too many chemicals on my dogs but I use flea treatment to cover lungworm. Flea treatment may cause health issues but lungworm can be fatal so I'd rather risk it with the flea treatment.

Odourless ones won't help because it's supposed to be the smell that deters fleas.

Like krlyr, I use as few chemicals as possible but do use the flea treatments. Lesser of two evils.

Hillbilly1

I have seen too many flea ridden dogs treated with garlic/tea tree/lavender oil etc to believe they work.

I am afraid good prevention is better than cure so please use sm safe, vet supplied chemicals in this instance.

Dollardog

I've asked the vet this morning when I took my dog for a check up and she says to get the smelly garlic tablets from H&B.

The dog sitter says there hasn't been any signs of them anyway since they sprayed and there are no pets there for them to live on, so should be ok.

Thanks for your replies.

Mojisola

Dollardog wrote: »

I've asked the vet this morning when I took my dog for a check up and she says to get the smelly garlic tablets from H&B.

The dog sitter says there hasn't been any signs of them anyway since they sprayed and there are no pets there for them to live on, so should be ok.

If there are no pets around, the fleas will bite humans so they would know if there were any adult fleas. What won't be so obvious is if there are pupae waiting in suspended animation for a new host to appear.