Fleas are the most common external pest causing irritation and discomfort to dogs and cats. Flea infestations are not usually fatal; however, puppies, kittens, and debilitated pets can become quite ill and even die due to blood loss from heavy flea infestation (fleas suck blood from their hosts.) Fleas most commonly cause irritation to infested pets. Dogs and cats with flea allergies can experience intense itching and secondary skin infections. Only one flea-bite is necessary to cause severe signs in flea-allergic pets, in many flea-allergic pets, no fleas are ever found.

Finally, fleas are also the intermediate host for the common dog and cat tapeworm. Finding tapeworms in the pet's feces, or finding flea fecal material ("flea dirt," small black flecks of blood located on the pet that turn red when mixed with water) is evidence of flea infestation even if no adult fleas are seen.

Treating fleas either with conventional or complementary therapies (or both) require treating the pet, indoor environment, and outdoor environment. Owners should keep in mind that there are four stages of the flea life cycle: adult (which is the only stage that occurs on the pet and makes up 5-10% of the entire flea population,) egg, larvae and cocoon. Since 90-95% of the flea population (the eggs, larvae, and cocoons) occur in the environment (house and yard) rather than on the pet, flea control programs must concentrate their efforts here, or the programs will fail.

Natural Treatments

As I mention in my book, the award-winning, The Natural Health Bible for Dogs and Cats, natural treatments are preferred by many owners due to lower toxicity.

There are many remedies that may be helpful for treating the pet and the environment. I like the following:

Neem is available as a shampoo or spray to kill adult fleas. Citronella and other insecticidal herbs such as natural pyrethrum, mullein (Rotenone,) or Canadian fleabane can be prepared as a dip or as powdered herbs to use on the pet as well.

Using diatomaceous earth in the environment (around the house, both inside and out,) borate products inside on carpeted areas, and microscopic beneficial nematodes in the yard (the ONLY thing that also kills the resistant flea coccoon) complete the natural treatment for fleas. While feeding small amounts of fresh garlic and brewer's yeast to the pet have not been shown in controlled studies to be effective, many pet owners swear by their use and continue to add them to the diet to aid in parasite control.

As with any condition, the most-healthy natural diet will improve the pet's overall health.

While generally considered to be less toxic than even the newer, safer chemicals recommended for flea control, the main drawback to using complementary therapies for flea control on the pet is the need for frequent application. Natural products are quite useful in the environment and usually do not require frequent applications.

Read more articles by Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M.

Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M. author, The Arthritis Solution for Dogs, The Allergy Solution for Dogs, and the award-winning, The Natural Health Bible for Dogs and Cats