Sunny, warm days ahead bring the welcome opportunity to spend more time outdoors with your dog. However, summer is prime time for fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and other parasites.  Make these warm-weather adjustments to keep your pets in top condition and ready for a flea-free, worry-free, parent-approved summer. 

  • Build resilience to parasites from the inside out as fleas and ticks tend to be most attracted to less healthy animals Your pet’s gastrointestinal tract isn’t just responsible for digestion—it’s also home to roughly 70-80% of their immune system. When the gut flora is thriving, your pet’s body is better equipped to combat inflammatory responses and parasitic invasions. Feeding a raw or lightly cooked fresh diet rather than highly processed kibble not only promotes a more diverse and resilient microbiome but also results in better skin health, lean muscle mass, and overall vitality—making your pet less appealing to fleas and ticks in the first place.
  • Many standard flea collars and solutions on retail shelves contain pesticides and chemicals that can not only harm your pet, but pose a danger to human health as well –especially for children or pregnant women.  Avoid these toxic chemicals whenever possible and remember that anything that goes on your pet (or you!) gets inside the body by absorption through the skin. 
  • Earth Animal and Wondercide are the flea and tick preventive brands that we recommend. There is a full line of safe, natural products including collars, spot-treatment, topical spray and internal powder and chews. It’s a good idea to implement a 2-prong approach using  both internal and external prevention.  
  • Diatomaceous Earth is a natural pesticide that can successfully remove fleas and ticks from your pet. It’s a naturally occurring mineral that you can just sprinkle a little on their food. You can also sprinkle it on your pet’s fur, but be careful it is not inhaled.
  • Avoid using pesticides and herbicides in your yard. Dogs can directly ingest toxic chemicals by licking their paws and fur and the chemicals get tracked into your home, contaminating floors and furniture.  Common sense tells you that it’s not healthy for any creature to be exposed to powerful toxic elements.    
  • Bathe your dog weekly.  Frequent bathing with a specially formulated flea and tick shampoo is an excellent way to control fleas. Contrary to popular belief, frequent bathing will not dry out your pet’s skin and coat.

Our furry friends rely on us to help keep them healthy and safe.  Let’s show our dogs how much we love them all year long by giving them plenty of attention, feeding them quality food, and providing a living environment that is free of dangerous toxins.