Fleas on Animals

Fleas are parasites feeding on warm-blooded animals such as cats and dogs. They cause irritation and pets often scratch or bite at the affected areas. Cat and dog fleas may also bite humans causing skin irritation and allergic reactions.

Three types of flea found in the UK are the cat flea (the most common in Britain in the home), the dog flea , and the human flea (very rare). Fleas are known to carry disease and can also be responsible for the transmission of parasitic worms such as dog tapeworm. In the UK, however, fleas  are not generally responsible for the spread of infection but can and do inflict unpleasant bites on their host. In humans, flea  bites will be seen as a tiny dark red spot surrounded by a reddened area. The bite will irritate for a few days. In some cases people become extra sensitive to them.

Steps to take to prevent flea  problems include: washing pets bedding every week (eggs are usually laid where the pet sleeps) Vacum carpets, rugs, soft furnishings, and around skirting boards every week; steam-clean carpets and rugs occasionally if replacing flooring consider putting in wooden floors or other surfaces which can be easily cleaned Comb your pet regularly (every day during the summer) using a fine-toothed metal comb (available in supermarkets etc and much more effective than plastic combs) - any fleas  collected can be drowned in a dish of soapy water.

The adult flea  does not live very long (about 20 days) but they breed prolifically in that time so a huge population of thousands of fleas can develop in a house within a few weeks of the arrival of a single female flea! If you have a flea  problem it will take time and effort to get rid of them. Don't expect any single product to eradicate fleas with one application it just won't work.

Vacuum your floors regularly to remove larvae and eggs from your household, it will help if you put the off-cuts from your flea collar or a whole one inside your hoover bag to kill fleas which are sucked into it. Remember to keep going with your flea treatments even if they appear not to work initially. It does take some time for effective flea control to occur even with the best products out there. The majority of fleas found on dogs are actually cat fleas so treat your cat too.

Aromatherapy Treatments:

Complementary treatments such as essential oils can help the animal to get rid of fleas and then maintain a flea-free fur!!

Make a flea collar: Select 4 essential oils from the list:
Bergamot, Camphor, Chamomile German, Cedarwood, Citronella, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Tea Tree, Thyme. Add 8 drops of these 4 essential oils (2 of each type) to 1 teaspoon of alcohol. Shake well then add 4 drops of this mixture to 2 tsp of olive oil and 2 garlic capsules.

Soak an absorbent cloth in the mixture then leave until it is dry. Place the collar around your pets neck.

Make flea powder: Select 4 essential oils from the list: Bergamot, Camphor, Chamomile German, Cedarwood, Citronella, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Tea Tree, Thyme and make up 1.5ml of these 4 oils. Add the mixture to 120ml of cornstarch and shake well. Let the powder sit for 2 days. Shake well again before using it.  

Bergamot Essential Oil - Citrus Bergamia (10ml)

Bergamot is a valuable oil for tension and anxiety. It can help with conditions such as cystitis and urethritis as well as being great for skin conditions such as acne.

£6.80

Camphor Essential Oil - Cinnamomum Camphor (10ml)

Use Camphor in an oil burner or steam inhalation to help with any chest infections. Also can be used during convalescing. Try Camphor on a cold compress for sprains and inflammation.

£4.50

Cedarwood Essential Oil - Juniperus Virginia (10ml)

Cedarwood has a woody scent and is very good in helping with skin conditions such as acne and dandruff. It can help with catarrh and has a tonic effect on the body so try it for stress related conditions.

£5.00

Chamomile German 10% Dilute Essential Oil - Matricaria Recutica

Fantastic oil for so many purposes including skin care, inflammed tendons and swollen joints, digestive prolems especially where related to stress.

£4.25

Chamomile Roman 10% Dilute Essential Oil - Chamaemelum Nobile

A wonderful oil which has so many valuable properties Chamomile would be a great one to always keep in and can be used in skin care, musuclar aches and pains and digestive problems.

£5.00

Chamomile Roman Pure Essential Oil - Chamaemelum Nobile (10ml)

Chamomile is a great oil to use for nervous disorders. It is soothing and calming and can help where a person is irritable or nervous. It can also help with insomnia.

£14.50

Citronella Essential Oil - Cymbopogon Nardus (10ml)

Citronella is most famous for its qualities as an insect repellent. Also useful for deterring cats from areas you do not want them to go.

£4.50

Eucalyptus Essential Oil - Eucalyptus Globulus (10ml)

Eucalyptus is best loved for its ability to help with chest infections and blocked up noses. However it is also great for muscular aches, colds sores, herpes or burns and makes a useful and natural painkiller.

£4.50

Lavender Essential Oil - Lavandula Abrialis (10ml)

Lavender has been used continuously for thousands of years and its popularity has only ever increased. If you could have no other essential oil in your house, then Lavender would be the prime choice: It has a wide range of uses and is a natural antibiotic, anti-depressant, sedative and de-toxifier.

£3.30

Lemon Essential Oil - Citrus Limon (10ml)

This antiseptic and anti-bacterial oil will perform many tasks especially when blended with other oils, including treating verrucas, insect bites and tension headaches. It has a tonic action on the lymphatic system and a stimulating action on the digestive system. It will aid slimming, help shift cellulite and smooth out those wrinkles

£3.30

Lemongrass Essential Oil - Cymbopogon Citratus (10ml)

Lemongrass will clear the mind and help some types of headaches. It has an anti-bacterial action and is good for skin complaints, athletes foot and sore throats. For the sports-person Lemongrass is the ideal cooler and deodoriser. Lemongrass will repel insects and help combat tobacco smells

£3.50

Tea Tree Essential Oil - Melaleuca Alternifolia (10ml)

Tea Tree - the ultimate antiseptic which is a truly wonderful oil to keep in. Use it for veruccaes, thrush and warts, acne, rashes and dandruff. Try it for resipratory problems such as coughs and catarrh and use it to help with viral infections and increase the boxes immune system.

£4.00