Hi, well I have just removed my first tick of the year and I know there will be many more to come!! I am reluctant to use any chemical repelants and wondered if anybody could recommend anything natural?

Thanks.

I frontline mine twice a year, not as much as recommended, but I don't like the idea of dosing them up on chemicals.  As I raw feed, I mix anti tick/flea stuff in with their blended veggies, I use mint fenugreek, garlic and turmeric.  I haven't had a case of ticks or fleas for years, so I'll stick with it, seems to be working. 

SleepingLion, what quantities of herbal bits are you using and in what ratio? How much do you give the dog? I'd love to try something like this , makes a great change from the usual chemicals

I use CSJ Billy No Mates. Have used it quite happily for a number of years. It wont stop the tick attaching, but they don't stay attached long and they're not particularly happily attached! But then chemicals like Frontline don't stop them attaching either.

Certainly worth a go, you do need to let it build up in the system for around 6 weeks, so you need to start it now. I'm just about to start giving it to my boys & girls after the winter break ... but as you're finding, the winter break seems to be becoming shorter :-(

Thanks, i have ordered some "Billy no mates" so will give it a go and see if it helps. How long do u find a tub lasts for? She is 30kg.

OK, can't find my records, but I think 1 tub would last 1 of my doggies (20kg) nearly 4 months ... I've got 5 of them so, in reality we go through a tub quicker. Don't buy the tincture (liquid) though. I got some 'cause one of my girls manages to leave the herbs at bottom of bowl, but I seemed to go through it extremely quickly, so not cost effective for us. I now make sure I mash her herbs up with her meat well.

Remember, they reckon it takes 6 weeks to be in the system, and you can reduce the amount fed after this period. I wont use spot ons & have found this equally effective. I hope you do too :-)

I don't suppose you know anyone that stocks this that will be at Crufts?  Seeing as I'm going I figure I'd save the postage....

Camddwr Canine stock it and I know they're at Crufts this year

http://www.camddwrcanine.co.uk/xcart/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=1

They'll be in Hall 3 stand 86, I think. Might just be worth phoning them beforehand to make sure they're taking the CSJ herbs with them. I think I'll be doing the same tomorrow, I might as well save on postage too! :-)

Excellent, thanks very much.

Have just had a thought though, both CSJ and camddwr canine do post free on herbs. Though of course there might be some nice Crufty discounts applied :-)

I use approximately 1 tsp turmeric, 1/2 tsp fenugreek and dried mint, and three or four garlic cloves in the weekly blended veg for my two, so not huge amounts.  I add 1 capful of apple cider vinegar for their joints, and a couple of sea kelp tablets.  And I occasionally add a handful of mixed nuts (no macademia) as they are packed full of useful vitamins and minerals.  If you want my barf guide, just pm me your email address ;)

Plush Puppy seabreeze oil works for us - we lightly mist the dogs before a walk, no ticks here :)

I use a spray by Barrier- Biotech, it's for fleas and ticks, all natural and does the trick for my dogs, we walk in very "ticky" area's but didn't have one tick last year.