wanted: stinky dogs with fleas

You know those commercials for products that are supposed to smell good and eliminate bad odors? Personally, those products make me ill and do not smell fresh nor beachy but they usually have dirty and smelly looking dogs in the background as well as other stinky food and stuff. If someone had me sit down on a filthy couch, or brought me into a raunchy kitchen, I’d scream. But the point is that we associate stinky unkempt dogs with having fleas, which they usually do. And they more than likely have bad breath.

But what about your well cared for, even pampered pet? Do they smell and/or have fleas?

If you love your dog’s kisses but can do without the bad breath, read on.

Imagine your dog brushing her own teeth…hmmmmm…

I have to say when I first opened the bag and sniffed I thought these pet treats smelled funny and I wondered if Cici would like them. SHE LOVED THEM… scarfed them up in seconds… she chewed and chewed and chewed … good deal… much easier than trying to brush her teeth. Although she lets me into her mouth, what a mess so these treats make our life much easier.

Now your pets can care for their own teeth!

Ark Naturals BREATH-LESS Brushless Toothpaste is a multiple award winning chewable dental solution for pets.

BREATH-LESS Brushless Toothpaste is a highly digestible dental chew with clinically proven, all natural ingredients.

• On the outside: breath-freshening ingredients include chlorophyll, cinnamon, vanilla and clove. Ridges provide effective teeth scrubbing and support healthy gums.

• On the inside:  Ark’s patented toothpaste center provides three bacteriostats to inhibit the growth of plaque-forming bacteria, as well as to assist with bad breath, and tartar and plaque build-up.

• Recipient of multiple awards as chosen by national pet magazines and their readers!

Use with BREATH-LESS Plaque Zapper for maximum benefits.

For all dogs and cats 12 weeks and older.  Also available in mini size.

Flick those fleas, toss those ticks…

Contrary to popular belief, fleas don’t take the winter months off. In fact, these pesky critters often find refuge and warmth inside throughout the colder months (paw-ticularly since this winter has been generally mild nationwide). Though fleas and ticks are a way of life for dogs, methods to prevent and control them are a pet owner’s choice.

You know that I prefer natural eco friendly ways. I am in good company.

Nancy Scanlan, DVM, Executive Director of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and past president of the Veterinary Botanical Medical Association, said she has long been aware of the problems associated with the chemical and pesticide-based flea and tick products. “I prefer natural botanicals over pesticides for treating fleas and ticks and there are a number of good natural products that work without harsh side effects,” said Dr. Scanlan.

Here are five ways under $20 to safely keep fleas and ticks away from your dogs.

Food grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE):  Sprinkle this safe alternative on the dog before heading outdoors, on walks, or into woodsy areas. These fossilized remains of microscopic shells act as shards of glass to winged critters. Use a salt shaker from a local retailer and sprinkle gently into dog’s coat. Bonus: Word has it that this is a good bedbug deterrent, so travel with it, too. (Note: Be sure to get the food grade.)

“Tick Key:  Using natural forward leverage to remove the entire tick, this is the kind of product that pays for itself the first time you use it. (It is nicely priced for toting on a key ring, too.)

Brewer’s Yeast: Helping to strengthen Rover’s immune system and containing sulfur compounds, fleas are less likely to host on a dog that has brewer’s yeast in his diet. Rich in amino acids and other vitamins, it also has a rich nutritional value.  Given as a tablet or mixed into food, dogs may also experience an improvement in skin and coat.

Citrus or Peppermint:  Use a gentle shampoo with a citrus base such as orange or lemon acts as a good flea deterrent. Peppermint oil, too, when safely diluted with water acts as a great in-home spray for areas where insects might enter (doors, windows).

Ark Naturals Flea Flicker! Tick Kicker!: This is labeled as GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) ingredients by the EPA and FDA. Easy to apply, it leaves a mild, fresh smell. Spray on a light application, massage into your pet’s coat, and it starts to work immediately to repel and kill fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.

This botanical formula was developed as an natural, botanical alternative to chemical pesticides in controlling fleas and ticks on your pet.  It is easy to apply and leaves a mild, fresh smell. You simply spray on a light application, massage into pet’s coat, and it starts to work immediately to repel and kill fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.

Cautionary Statement:

Herbal flea and tick products like Ark’s Flea Flicker! Tick Kicker! tend to be safer than pharmaceutical flea/tick products.  That being said, all products that are formulated to rid pets of fleas and ticks pose a % of risk.

The ingredients in Flea Flicker!  Tick Kicker!  are labeled as GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) ingredients by the EPA and FDA. Generally means generally.  It doesn’t mean it’s a 100% safe solution for every dog and cat.  It means the incidence of problems with the ingredients in Ark’s product fall into a low range.

Typically herbal products used correctly pose less of a risk with dogs than cats. Remember to follow the instructions on the bottle, do not saturate the pet, and do not spray on face.