fleas Archives - Tammie's Take~

What Is The Best Way To Prevent Fleas?

Reviews · October 26, 2022

When you first hear the word fleas you probably think about your pets. After all, we’ve all seen images of dogs covered in bites and scratches thanks to a flea infestation. Eliminating fleas in your home is one way of looking after your pets. But, it should be noted, while fleas generally prefer animals, they can also target humans.

This happens when the pets have been treated but your house still has fleas or when there are simply too many fleas. You’ll start to notice itchy marks on your legs, usually no higher than the knee.

The problem with fleas is that they lay a lot of eggs, resulting in a lot more fleas. It can appear as though you have killed them all and then the new eggs hatch and the problem starts all over again. This is particularly true if you have carpeted floors as you’re giving the fleas the perfect place to hide themselves and their eggs.

If you have an infestation it is best to find out more info about your local specialist and let them handle the problem for you. In addition, you can learn the best techniques for preventing the return of the fleas.

Flea Treatments

The most obvious way to prevent fleas is to visit your vet or local store and purchase flea treatments. These are usually administered via a pipette and a few drops of liquid are placed at the bottom of their neck/top of their back.

It’s effective, especially if you get ones from the vets which tend to be stronger.

Vacuum Daily

If you want to prevent fleas you need to vacuum daily. Specifically, you need to tackle carpeted areas as these are where fleas and their eggs are most likely to be. Simply vacuum on the normal setting and you’ll suck up any fleas and eggs, breaking the cycle.

It takes several days to eliminate them in this way but vacuuming daily is a great way to prevent an infestation from starting.

To help kill any fleas or eggs, sprinkle the carpet with baking soda and brush it to make sure the soda gets to the bottom of the piles. This will suffocate and kill the fleas and eggs, allowing you to vacuum them up a few moments later.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are a good way of killing fleas already on your dogs as they suffocate. The aroma can also prevent fleas from jumping onto the dog.

All you have to do is add a few drops of essential oil to a spray bottle of water. It’s best to choose oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, or citronella. These are the most effective.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is actually very good for your dog. It will help to regulate their pH levels. As a side-effect of this, the dog is likely to be less appealing to fleas, they simply don’t like the taste.

You can dilute several tablespoons of vinegar in water and spray your dog. Or, if you prefer, you can add a teaspoon to a bowl of drinking water and they can ingest it. It’s surprisingly effective.

8 Things Everyone Should Know About Before Getting A Dog

Reviews · December 21, 2017

Image Credit: Pexels

We all love dogs. They are adorable and some of the best friends a person can have. That is why it is important that you look after them and understand what that means before getting one. Here is a quick guide to help you understand what having a dog means.

Regular De-Fleaing and De-Worming

Nobody likes fleas or worms, least of all a dog. It best to preemptively stop these things before they start to cause a serious problem for your dog. Fleas bites can hurt and can get infected causes more serious health condition, and worms can cause all kinds of damage inside a dog. Both of these can also be passed onto humans, and the last thing you want is for your family to get worms and have flea bites – especially if you have young children. Fortunately, there is an easy fix. You can buy de-fleaing and de-worming products from your local pet store, and all you need to do is use them regularly, and your dog should be worm and flea free. Another great way to help prevent worms is the prevent them from eating strange things when taking them out and about.

Check-Ups

One of the first things you should do if you get a dog is registered with a vet, just in case something bad happens. However, you should also visit the vet regularly for check-ups. This ensures that the pet is fit and healthy and can help to spot illnesses early meaning your dog will stand a fighting chance.

Walks

Dogs need to be taken on regular walks. The walks needs to be long enough that the dog can run and be out of breath. They need a lot of exercise and love to run around and stretch their legs. This doesn’t need to be a chore and should be one of the best things about having a dog. You can take a ball and throw that for the dog and play fetch in the park, or you can take them hiking through the hills and let your dog run ahead of you. The exercise will be good for both you and the dog. The dog will be happier if it gets enough exercise each day and it will help you bond with the dog and have a fun day out. You can bring the entire family or spend an afternoon with just you and the dog; the choice is yours. Different dogs need a different amount of exercise, and you should research online or consult your vet for further advice.

Training

Not enough dogs get proper training. Dogs enjoy being trained in the same way children actually enjoy having boundaries. You don’t need to take your dog to training classes – although that might be the easiest and most effective way to train them. Instead, you can buy a training book or follow an online guide. Whatever you choose you should make sure to properly train your dog. Otherwise, it won’t return to your when you take it out for walks, and it might run in front of cars which is dangerous to both the dog and the driver. A well-trained dog makes a brilliant family pet as it will be much nicer to have around children and will respond to commands better.

Food

Every dog breed needs a different amount of food and type of food, so you should check online or the dog’s food packaging or consult your vet for more details. However, you need to make sure not to feed a dog too much or too little. Dogs naturally don’t feel full, so if you try to feed your dog until it can’t eat anymore, then you are going to make it fat. An overweight dog suffers from similar health issues to an overweight person. It will also be less happy as it will struggle to run a long way or be able to enjoy its walks. An easy way to ensure you feed your dog the right amount is not to feed it table scraps, get a scoop that fits the food measurement for your dog and feed them at the same time each day. This will help the dog get into a routine and will train them to only want that specific amount of food at that time of day. It will be better for both you and the dog.

Treats

Dogs deserve treats. They are also a great way to help train and reward them for good behaviour. It also a nice way to treat a dog in the evening and give them something to chew. Most dogs will want to chew things naturally and giving them a healthy chew rather than something else is good for their behaviour and their health. Somewhere like Betsy Farm provide healthy dog treats that are 100% natural and won’t damage their health, teeth or your furniture. You should also use dog treats when training a dog as they will be more likely to perform a command if they know there is a treat at the end of it. This is especially true at first, and gradually they will start to do the command regardless of the treat.

Teeth

Dogs, like humans, need their teeth brushing. They can get tooth decay and gum diseases just like we can, so you should regularly brush your dog’s teeth. If you start doing this when they are a puppy, then it will be much easier as they grow up. However, if a dog is reluctant to let your brush their teeth, then another option is to buy dental sticks. These dog sticks help to clean their teeth while also being a healthy treat for the dog. They help make sure a dog’s teeth stay in good condition and can become part of their routine by giving them one each night.

Water

Dogs need water. This is simple. You need to make sure they always have access to a bowl of water and aren’t dehydrated. This is especially true on hot days and after walks. Just having a bowl around the house and keeping it topped up should be enough, but you might always want to bring some water for the dog on your walks, too.

How To Make Living With A Cat Easier

Reviews · October 9, 2017

Living with a cat sounds easy, but it can actually be quite frustrating at times. That’s why it’s worth educating yourself on what you can do to improve your living situation. They’re a big responsibility and will typically beg for your attention constantly.

Some people give cats a bad reputation, when really they’re friendly and snuggly most of the time. A lot of times it’s what the owner’s doing or not doing that makes the situation worse. Establish boundaries early and show them who’s boss, so they don’t try to run your house. See how to make living with a cat easier.

Clean Often

You won’t be as upset with your cat who sheds if you clean the place more. Make a schedule and follow it, so your house stays looking nice. Get out the vacuum, dust and lint roll furniture and clothes on a regular basis. This is also a good time to groom your pet and make sure they’re being brushed and taken care of consistently. You’ll see that they’re not so bad when fur isn’t flying around the house.

Protect your Cat

Be protective of your cat by not letting them out of the house when they’re not being watched and applying Advecta 2 to keep fleas away. Eliminate and control pests from your pet with this product. It’s a fragrance-free formula that acts fast. Be smart and adamant about your pet’s health. They’re counting on you to keep them safe and functioning at their best. Inspect your cat often and bring them to the vet as recommended. Consider putting an enclosure outside where they can walk around, instead of letting them run loose.

Consider getting two Cats

If your cat’s acting strange or no longer shows an interest in you, it may be because they’re bored and unhappy. Solve the problem quickly by getting another cat they can play with. They’ll instantly become companions and will have each other to play with when you’re not around. Most cats are particularly social and enjoy living together. Make sure there are areas for both of them to sit and watch the commotion outside. If more than one cat lives in your home, it’s appropriate to have several litterboxes throughout the space.

Provide Space

Be sure to show your cat where their space is and what’s appropriate for them to jump up on. Provide toys and places for them to hide and sleep. Do this or face the consequences of them thinking they can have access to the entire house and go wherever they want. Be strict and don’t let them walk all over you in the beginning or you’ll be paying for it later on. Give each other space, and there shouldn’t be any issues.

Conclusion

Living with a cat sounds simple until you’re the owner. Don’t let them walk all over you or wreck your home. Take charge from the start. This is how to make living with a cat easier.

Do You Know How To Put Your Dog’s Health First?

Reviews · September 4, 2017

PxHere Image Source: Happy dog caught playing in the field

So you’ve got a dog – yay! Whether you’re a new dog owner or have always had these beauties, you should know that keeping them happy and healthy should be your main concern. As cute, fluffy and smiley as they may appear, don’t take that as a sign that they’re healthy. Dogs need check ups at the vets just like we need them at the doctors, to make sure our bodies are running how they should. There are many things that you may not when it comes to looking after your dog.

If you want to know what – keep on reading.

Super foods

There are certain foods out there that are exceptionally good for your dog. These things help keep your pup fit and healthy, preventing any future problems and improves their bodily functions. The best super foods are chicken, turkey, eggs, mackerel, yogurt, spinach, kale, sweet potato, carrots, apple, raspberries and blackberries. If you include a small portion of a few of these different foods every day, you will have one happy puppy.

Dangerous foods

Now you know the good foods, it’s important to know the bad ones too. Never let your dog get in contact with chocolate, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, caffeine, seeds, fruit pips, leeks, onions, alcohol or cooked bones. They can eat up becoming very sick, or even choking.

Eating alone

One way a lot of dog owners go wrong is giving their pup their food, and standing around watching or stroking them while they eat. Even if they do allow it, they don’t like it. Dogs prefer to eat in peace, not socially. You are the alpha because you’re the owner, right? So if you don’t leave them in peace to eat, they’ll be on the edge most likely waiting for you to steal their food off them. This means they may rush instead of taking their time, which isn’t any good for the digestive system.

Ticks and fleas

Ticks are horrible blood-sucking critters that fill themselves up on your dog’s blood and cause them quite a bit of grief. The same goes for fleas, but these reproduce 600 fleas within one month, leaving your dog totally infested with them. The best flea treatment for dogs can be from pills, spot on, creams and shampoos. Speak to your local vet and see what treatment they suggest is best for your dog.

Leave their bed

Your dog will want a warm and cuddly place to sleep in, and you need to make sure that you have everything that they’ll need like a bed, blanket and some teddys to snuggle with. Whatever you do though, don’t keep making your dog’s bed – even if it looks messy – that’s how they want it to look. You may see your dog circling the bed a few times before they get comfortable. This is just how we make our own beds. Mess with that, and they won’t want to rest there anymore.