This is a topic that I've never seen on the forum. When I watch t.v., there's always ads about flea collars, flea powders, etc. Do I really need to get these products or is that being paranoid?

Thanks,
Butter

Only if you're having a problem with fleas -- No Fleas or evidence of any - don't bother.

I haven't seen them here in Germany, my dogs' bane are Ticks -- Dear & Dog species (little black ones // huge greenish grey ones)
toodles

hello, i would suggest using flea prevention all year round regardless if any fleas are seen - why wait until a problem happens ???? they can cause so much irritation to dogs and cats, allergies etc etc, i couldn't bear to think an animal of mine had them !! frontline and stronghold i have found to be very effective.

I agree with Chloedog:) Plus if I waited my daughter would be ate alive by them- she's the one who guaranteed always gets bitten while we're away etc, midges and everything- when the little bugs are out in the nice weather she's bit:( But I defignately agree- prevention is better than cure:)

Stacey x x x

You know your areas better than I do. If the neighborhood or region has fleas..yes, I would use preventative... If it doesn't --- why bother funding these companies & wasting your money????. I use the topical anti tick/mosquito/flea "stuff" on my dogs shoulder blades and that's it.

I haven't experienced fleas here in over 3 years and in NM, I never found any in the area around me. So why risk allergy & pay out the money if you don't have to???? Now New Jersey... I had to use the flea stuff --even on me!!!! nasty critters :(
toodles

Heard a lovely and very LOUD comment from one lady to another in one of the rings at WELKS at the weekend. She boomed, "Does your dog have visitors ? She's been scratching an awful lot" Psychological warfare or friendly advice ? You decide. ;)

The breeder that I am getting my puppy off said that they give their dogs a garlic capsule every day, and they have never had a flea problem. (I don't know what age you can give them from though), but they are very knowledgable breeders who have got 7 beautiful Golden Retrievers which they regularly take to Crufts and many other dog shows, so I suppose they have enough experience on the subject to know that garlic capsules really do work.
Good luck.

I do the same debbie with my Schipperkes I usually start the pups from about 3mths old or earlier if they pinch them lol.

I also feed garlic caps to my cat outside too and he's never had a flea in 9 years.

i also use Garlic on my lot and have not had a problem but i do use frontline at the start of summer and at the end just to make sure
will be getting some in the next 2 weeks,

Bobby

We have only had a flea problem I would say 1 year in 3 or even 4. If they appear I treat all summer even if I see no further signs but otherwise I don't. We dont have a cat and the hedgehogs no longer pass through since we added new fencing (sadly - lots more slugs now) so I don't believe I want to be slapping chemicals about when I don't need to.

Thanks everyone!!

Butter

We have never had to use flea powders, collars, etc - thankfully. We have always given our dog a small helping of garlic bread once every few weeks and the garlic seems to deter the fleas and ticks. I have passed this on to many people who have had problems with pet fleas and all say that their pet has not had fleas since taking garlic. It also works for humans and midges/mosquitos - the blood is not attractive to bugs! Our vet maintains - "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" - as the formulations of flea medication are very strong, and should not be used UNLESS the pet has aleady got fleas. Prevention is better than cure - so try the natural alternative.

Are you all saying to buy garlic capsules made for humans? Do you break it up in the food? Sounds like an easy and safe way to deter fleas!

Butter

My (now) ex-wife used to eat loads of garlick, certainly kept me away.

Brilliant answer...

Butter I buy the odourless human version and just put them in with their food - the dogs love them and yep I've not had a flea on either my dogs or our feral cat in 5 years. I use frontline once a year at the end of spring on them all except the cat of course I value my hands wayyyy to much for that one lol.

Our vet recommends Garlic instead of Programme or Frontline. He thinks they're too harsh for puppies and is concerned about the long term effects of using chemicals as a preventative measure.

Fiona
x x x

Hi Butter since feeding my dogs a natural diet since last aug/sept (including fresh garlic daily) they have had neither fleas nor worms. 2 of my dogs are now 1yr+1mth & have never had a chemical treatment of any kind although I did treat their dam with panacur granules when she was in whelp.The older ones have had no treatments since the same time I started the diet. I shall be having them fecal tested in next month or so & will let you know the results if you like.
Christine

Come on then all of you- tell me 'What to ask for', 'Where from' and 'How much'- if it works on a ferral cat it must be good:D Cats are the worst at getting fleas. Do you have a clove of Garlic, a Garlic capsule or a bit of Garlic bread per day

Stacey x x x

Hi Kash I use a clove of garlic per dog pureed with their veg but everybody will probably do it different. Nobody has ever mentioned my dogs breath either.
Christine

Well if Nigella Lawson had a dog it could be whole, roasted in virgin olive oil sprinkled with a little rock salt :D

At an exemption show I judged a couple of years ago there were two Beardies who were absolutely crawling with fleas - probably enough to pass them onto all the dogs at the show - how they could not have noticed I don't know.

Christine

As I can't abide the smell of garlic (it really makes me feel sick), are any of the ways of administering it completely sealed and none-smelly?
LynnT

Hi Lynn you could use it in tablet or capsule form as I think they are odourless,but not sure
Christine

Hi Lynn the odourless human type is fine if you can't stand the smell you will never be able to smell that they've had it.Gillian

Gillian, I'll hold you entirely responsible if I try it and Ben reeks afterwards! :D :D
LynnT

I eat quite a bit of garlic and can honestly say I have NEVER had fleas

:D

:D

@melodysk :D :D :d