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Natural Flea Remedies

Updated: 11/16/2009

DISCLAIMER
* Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional veterinary prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your veterinarian before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your Veterinarian can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your pet's unique needs or diagnose your pet's particular medical history.

RUBBING ALCOHOL

2 YEA
1 WARNING!

[YEA]  11/13/2008: Tangie from Jefferson City, MO writes: "I have a Chow German Shepard mix & a Lab both are outside dogs. In the summer months we had a problem with the biting flies, which causes bad sores on my dogs. I used (ACV/Water)1 cup of apple cidar vinear to 2 cups water sprayed my dogs every other day and it helped a lot. Don't spray on open wounds.

I also have 2 small dogs and a cat inside the home that have fleas I use 70-90% full strength rubbing alcohol put it in a spray bottle and spray the animals and their bedding (do not spray eyes, inside ears or genital areas) Spray the carpets and all cracks and crevices of floors (carpets and tile) not good on wood. Not good around birds, I saturate one room, close the door and then go to next room. Put birds in a room that isn't being treated. Do not stay in the sprayed rooms leave until carpet/floor dries. Once I had a flea my arm and ankle i spritz the area with the alcohol and the flea died instantly."

[WARNING!]  03/24/2009: Michelle from Milford, OH replies: "A word of Warning: Rubbing Alcohol can discolor certain wood stains and some paint. We used it and it left streaks on our woodstained doors and walls."

[YEA]  09/26/2008: Holly from Bellevue, Ohio writes: "We had an absolutely horrific flea infestation on the entire second story of our house (which is uncarpeted, thankfully) and were disappointed by the 20+ flea bombs that failed to kill them, so having heard this from my mom, we filled spray bottles with straight Rubbing Alcohol (just the regular, cheap stuff from any store) and went crazy. We soaked the floor and about two feet up the walls. It worked great, and I mean, GREAT!!! You could watch them die within seconds. Just be sure to open as many windows as possible to provide lots of ventilation while you work; we didn't think it would be safe to use it on our cats or let them (or anyone) in the area for a few weeks until it aired out really well. Oh, and we also laid out ALOT of duct tape (sticky side up) to catch any survivors, of which there were very, very few."

SALT

6 YEA
1 WORKED TEMPORARILY
1 WARNING!

[YEA]  07/01/2009: Fae from Henderson, North Carolina, USA writes: "Table Salt to rid your carpets of fleas--Instantly!! It sounds goofy, but it's true!!! My rugs were infested with fleas!! But this home remedy is not only inexpensive (price of table salt), it works like a charm!!

Just use regular table salt that you buy at the grocery store, or dollar store. Buy the container that is about the size of a small coffee can.

Sprinkle it on your carpets. It should look like it snowed in your living room! Depending on the size of your room, may need to buy several containers. Be liberal with it, it won't hurt.

It's ok. You can walk on it; it won't hurt. No need to leave it on there overnight or anything like that. Just vacuum it up and poof!! No more fleas in carpets!! How cool is THAT?!!

Gotta love grandma and those old remedies!!"

[YEA]  12/31/2008: Cait from Waycross, Goergia writes: "I am absolutely AMAZED at how well the salt worked to get rid of fleas!! I recently moved to a duplex with my 2 cats while my husband goes on tour to Iraq. I have never had a problem with fleas and my pets. It was literally in just a matter of a day or 2 that my home was INFESTED! I called my landlord and he had the pest control company come and spray my house. He told me flea eggs can lay dormant for up to 2 years. I am a neat freak, and frequently vacuum especially around baseboards. He said this couldve hatched the leftover eggs and thats why the infestation occurred so quickly. The spray that the pest company did had ZERO effect on the little nuisances, and both my cats, and I were at our wits end! I was being eaten alive and was ready to break my lease and find a new place! I got on here, and read salt would work. I was reluctant to use chemicals because of the fact both my cats are indoor pets and I was really worried for their safety. I heavily salted the carpets (2 large containers of salt for my 1200 sq ft duplex), and used a broom to get it deep in the carpet. I let it sit overnight, vacuumed the following morning, and lightly re-dusted the house with salt. Within 2 days I had NO fleas! I have seen 2 since I did this treatment. I must thank you all for your input, I would recommend salt as a safe and natural remedy for flea infestation, and also as a preventative measure!"

[WARNING!]  01/02/2009: Carol from Alamo City, Texas replies: "Though salt may have cured the problem, it also creates a whole lot of other problems i.e. scratched wood floor; left in carpet, it will act like an abrasive which over time will act like blades and cut threads in your carpet, resulting in bald spots. I would suggest using Sevin Dust, commonly known as diatinaus (sp) earth. It is all natural and is crushed (pulverized) rock which acts like little shards of glass and when the flea crawls over it, it cuts them to shreds! It will vaccum up easily. Sprinkle the area which has been blocked off from people and pets. Leave it down as long as you can or want. It is safe to put on furniture as well. Needless to say, it is safe around pets."

[WORKED TEMPORARILY]  01/11/2009: Cait from Waycross, GA replies: "Ok, an update on my "magic salt remedy"...so, it seemed the salt worked for the first week or so. I continuously left it on my carpets even when I began to see a significant reduction of fleas. Well, I went out of town for 2 days, left my carpets salted while I was gone, and when I got back, my infestation was out of control! Actually worse than it had been initially, which I really didnt think was possible! Im trying to Borax on the floors now, and am thinking about going and getting alcohol to spray on the floors and bathing the cats in blue dawn dish soap. I hope something works, because Im at my wits end and really cant stand this anymore..I will keep everyone updated again if anything seems to work. Just be cautious of the salt working long term is my advice I suppose"

01/11/2009: Anne from Jacksonville, Arkansas replies: "I recommend this effective flea removal technique that has worked for me in the past. Plug a nightlight in near the infested floor area and using a shallow plastic pan or even a cake pan--a large size 9x13 or so fill with water and dishwashing liquid mixed together. The fleas will jump toward that light during the nighttime hours and fall into the soapy water and die. Empty and repeat several days. Continue this treatment until the fleas are gone. If you have a bad infestation you might want to try in several locations throughout your house. Good Luck"

01/11/2009: T from Maryland, USA replies: "Try diatomaceous earth, which can be found at the big name home improvement stores in the lawn and garden section. These links have general and usage info on DE (not sales links) - http://www.weekendgardener.net/organic-pesticide/diatomaceous-010801.htm. and http://www.care2.com/greenliving/all-around-non-toxic-flea-control.html. Also, when you vacuum, if using a bag be sure to seal and dispose of it EVERY time you vacuum. Bagless vacs can have the canisters thoroughly washed in hot soapy water - wash the filters too, every time. Fleas/eggs stuck in there will perpetuate the problem if you don't."

[YEA]  07/04/2008: Kim from Gadsden, AL writes: "The best all natural way to rid fleas in the home is salt! It works like magic! Just use your blender to grind regular table salt into a powder. Then sprinkle the powder onto carpet, beds, etc.... use a broom to "sweep" it down deep into the fibers. I let it settle in over night on my carpets before vacuuming it up. The powdered salt dries up the fleas and the eggs. You'll notice a huge difference the first time you try it. Also, if you are giving your dog a heart worm medication make sure to use Sentinel. Sentinel acts as birth control on fleas. They can lay the eggs but the eggs are dead so that helps clear up the flea infestations in your home."

[YEA]  09/09/2008: Katie from Westland , MI replies: "Salt worked for us to. After using frontline, carpet powders, carpet sprays, baths etc. I put salt on the carpets and used some of those lighted flea traps. That worked the best."

[YEA]  05/13/2008: Chu from Edmond, Oklahoma writes: "FLEAS: hi, i've been using salt in my carpet for flea infestations, i have a cat that goes in and out of the house like 7-11, so i will get reinfestation every once in a while, the first thing i tried was salt, i sprinkle it all over the carpets and leave it there from 3-7 days, and then vacuum it up, and no more fleas.

i had also tried diatomaceous earth but it didn't really work for me i used permaguard food grade fossil flour, and i was uncomfortable using it cause it is bad for your lungs, so from now on i will only use salt cause if its safe enough to eat i won't have to worry. i use the cheapest one i could find at 33 cents a can. i bought idolized and unidolized i don't know if it matters though."

[YEA]  05/08/2007: Sandra from Pasadena, CA writes: "Last year we had a really bad outbreak of fleas in our house. My 2 year old kept getting bites all over her body and my husband and I too. I didn't want to use all the toxic powders or even boric acid since she has asthma. I got desperate and bought 10 cans of salt from the store and sprinkled it all over the house (mainly the carpet). Let it sit for 4 days and then vaccumed with a vaccum that has excellent sucction and a HEPA filter. THE FLEAS WERE GONE!!!!!. I guess the salt dehydrates them and kills the eggs as well. IF you live in a humid climate don't leave the salt in the carpet too long as it retains water. Wash all the linens and couch cushions etc....repeat the vaccum every day for 3-4 days to get all the salt out."

SIDE EFFECTS FROM FRONTLINE

5 SIDE EFFECTS

[SIDE EFFECTS]  01/02/2008: Nancy from Reddick, Florida writes: "I have been raising westies for many years, which are a very happy healthy breed. Last spring I bought one of the two major spot on flea products here in the USA and administered it to all of my dogs. All 10 got blisters from it. I asked my Vet what to do and he said I must have gotten a bad batch. Well, this whole year of 2007 none of my females had puppies, thats two heat cycles. They would come into season' normally and everything seemed right, but could not get bred. I started researching the ingredience on the flea product since they had a reaction to it. Boy was I shocked !!! This product is the first ingredient listed and everything my girls were going through showed up as side effects from this man made chemical. Drastic alterations in thyroid functions, changes in the levels of sex hormones, the list goes on. Needless to say, I spent alot of time and money at the Vets for tests on my girls/boys and they couldn't give me an answer.I contacted the manufacturer and they denied having any problems with the product. This chemical CAN also stay in the pets system for up to 56 days. So, if you give your dog this product as recommended every 4 wks. you're double dosing him with chemical. I also have friends that live in diferent parts of Florida who breed and used this product this year. The same thing happened to them, I will never use commerical flea products again.Please everyone, Take a minute and research the ingredience on anything you buy for your pets."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  07/20/2008: Debbie from Northville, MI replies: "PLEASE REPORT THE FRONTLINE PROBLEM TO THE EPA. Last week I had the vet put Frontline on both my Yorkie and Silkie.They were perfectly healthy five year old dogs. They both almost died. Started with them being lethargic and edema developed at the application site, this went to seizures, shock, hair loss you name it. Keep in mind that the head person from Frontline contradicted herself by saying "this is impossible and in the next sentence when I told her she would be paying my bills she replied by saying "we handle all such cases on a case by case review" huh? sounds like this is a problem-check out some links by doing frontline poisoning online. you will find hundreds of such reports. Also the UK puts this right on the label--can cause lethargy, seizures, shock, hairloss, sores and death. Gee, too bad our country doesn't do this--it is the EPA that controls this-have your vet report it too. I am desperately trying to decide what chemical free options to try."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  12/31/2008: Cait from Waycross, Georgia replies: "I would not ever use this AGAIN! I know its supposed to be the best preventative remedy for fleas on pets, but the side effects are just not worth it. After moving into this duplex and it being infested with fleas, I bought Frontline for my 2 indoor cats. I put it on them, and within a few days started noticing little spatters of blood on my tile. One of my cats had a severe allergic reaction and his poor neck broke out in bloody sores! I ended up spending $200 at the vet to get his poor skin back to normal. a month later, he is still scabbing up and has to get frequent (and expensive) steroid injections from the vet. I felt like the worse mommy ever, and my poor boy was in so much pain!"

01/01/2009: Dianna from Austin, Tx replies: "you do not ever have to use poison every again for fleas!!! i have a tiny chihuahua who had fleas so bad that i was bathing and flea combing him twice a day. finally i found grandpa's pine tar soap and washed him with it and immediately the fleas were gone. it only took one other time to wash him and he has not had fleas since and it has been months. i live out int he country and fleas can get really out of hand here in the summer. this was really a god send for me. try it! you may have to wash a couple of times - but just lather it up and let the foam sit and then flea comb and the fleas just jump off. good luck."

01/01/2009: Dianna from Austin, Tx replies: "i had forgotten to say that when i first got my little chihuahua that the breeder had used frontline on him and that he had a big red sore that didn't go away for months on the back of his neck and between his shoulder-blades where they had put it. all his hair had fallen out in that location and he scratched constantly. he didn't have ANY fleas - but you could tell that the front-line was not good for him in any way. try the pine tar soap! when the frontline wore off and his hair grew back and the irritation went away he got bad fleas and the pine tar soap worked a miracle! no more fleas and no poison necessary!"

10/24/2009: Glenessary9 from Salt Lake City, Utah replies: "Pine tar will eventionally give your pet kidney failure. It's better to wash the animal in ___ [dish soap], and then use regular table salt or salt water on carpets, furniture and, floors. to keep the fleas out of the house."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  12/27/2007: Carrie Elsass from Conway, AR writes: "About 9 months ago my husband accidentally gave our 2 cats and the dogs flea/tick medicine that you put on the back of the neck. One began seizing and we rushed her in for treatment. My question is: She now has scabs all over her back & neck. Any ideas on what to do? I am just sure it's related to the toxins. She has always been 100% healthy. And for the future, I just don't know what to do to control the ticks & fleas- I will try the natural remedies on this site, but the natural things we've tried in the past have been very inadequate."

[SIDE EFFECTS]  06/11/2008: Kelly from Rogers, Ar replies: "I used the squeeze on my 7 yr old lab I thought he was going to die 30 min later. He was foaming at the mouth wouldn't eat or drink, he just lay there. I called the poison control number on package and they told me it coats their mouth if they lick it. So to give him tuna packed in water and give a bath in dish soap such as Dawn then watch and make sure he didn't have any other problems.It and other products of this kind can cause diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration. The tuna worked for that but he had an allergic reaction and now has hot spots he did not start getting until after sentry was used. I have tried so many things I hope the acv and peppermint works just tried tonight."

SKIN SO SOFT, ACV SOLUTION

1 YEA

[YEA]  09/06/2008: Tina from St.Louis, Missouri writes: "We brought a new kitty home and realized that he had fleas. After being infested and trying everything from the store for my dog and new kitty, I came here and found the skin so soft from Avon. It worked AWESOME. And they smell good. My cats coat is soft and I havent found any fleas. Hopefully in a week I will do it again to get rid of any leftover fleas. And then I sprayed my house with the apple vinegar solution. Not very good smelling but that passed. So I am really greatful for all of you and this website, it helped my animals."

TEA TREE OIL

2 YEA
1 WARNING!

[YEA]  04/19/2009: Tuff Love from Orlando, Florida writes: "I had two kittens that were infested with fleas. I was in a real jam because I had no money to put toward taking them to the vet. I did however have some Tea tree shampoo for humans and decided it was my only option. I lathered them both down in a big deep tupperware container with the tea tree shampoo and let them sit for 10 minutes or so with the lid on the container. they didn't like it much and meowed the whole time but it was for their own good. then I opened the lid and filled it to about shoulder height with warm water. the fleas were visibly running for high ground and several did try to jump out and even landed on my hands and shirt (wear a white shirt so you can see them) so I knew it was working. once filled to a safe height quickly put the lid back on with the kittens inside. they meowed like hell to get out but I knew they were safe and got thru it. I left them in for 20 minutes or so, took em out, rinsed off and picked a few visible fleas off them. the kittens came out fine, the dead fleas were in the water and I even found dead fleas falling off here and there hours later. the Tea Tree shampoo worked great for me and fortunately my kittens weren't allergic. I know this remedy isn't for everyone but if you're in jam and can handle the cute things whining your ears off it works just fine."

[WARNING!]  04/21/2009: Hope from Sacramento, CA replies: "Please never put the lid on a container which encloses animals, as they could easily suffocate!"

[YEA]  10/08/2008: London from Sandusky, Ohio writes: "Tea tree oil will kill fleas, on your dog immediately, when mixed with baby shampoo. Leave it on and lather well, and most if not all the fleas will die, and wash out. This will not prevent the fleas from returning. You have to use a collar."

EC: WARNING! Tea Tree oil may be toxic to cats and dogs!

From Wikipedia:

Pet Flea Control use

Tea tree oil has long been used as a method of all natural effective flea control by adding the oil directly to dogs, horses and sheep fur or their bathing water. Use on cats has been known to make them sick and in some cases kill them, this is due to cats licking their fur and consuming the oil.[23]

According to National Animal Poison Control Center, the use of tea tree oil in dogs has been associated with hypothermia, muscle weakness, ataxia, tremors, altered behavior, paralysis. A case report has been published in which three cats had clinical signs and one cat died after being treated with the oil. [24]

Also read this feedback on Earth Clinic: http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/tea_tree_oil.html#TOXICCATSDOGS

VETS VS REMEDIES

1 NAY

[NAY]  02/05/2009: Ann from Gloucester, NJ writes: "Apple Cider Vinegar for Pets: I think that it is absolutely crazy, not to mention cruel what some lengths people will go to to supposedly help our Earth! Now, don't get me wrong, I am definitely supportive of going green, using less, using non-toxic stuff, of course I am, I love my Earth, too!! But, I do not advocate doing this and that to my dog or cat! I think whatever makes them uncomfortable, uneasy, afraid, anything like that, anything that they do not like or make a fuss about, is definitley 100% cruelty! That is essentially the meaning of cruelty! Just like those idiots that walk around using their poor little dogs as purses, CRUELTY! Pushing stuff onto a dog or a cat that they clearly do not want or like! Making them drink something, vinegar, at that! Giving them this, that and the next in thing that people think will work, making them eat some crazy human herb, or whatever, putting all kinds of stuff in their food and into their systems! Do not force a dog or a cat to do anything that they are not going to like! It is just not right! They don't need all that crap, I agree, but they really also do not need a bunch of "healthy" stuff, intended for humans, first off, and whatever the health and green rage is at the moment, just give them the basics of what they DO NEED! Good food, yes, good grooming, yes, I do agree with all of that, but for fleas, NO! Just give them exactly what we all KNOW WORKS, FLEA MEDICATION FROM A VETERINARIAN!! YES, CHEMICAL, BUT IT IS BETTER FOR YOUR PET, BETTER THAN MAKING THEM INGEST ALL SORTS OF FADS THAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH!! I'm positively, 100% absolutely sure that all vets will agree with me! The definite, good answer for fleas, over the maybe, try, I think so method of trying to get rid of fleas! I rather just help my dogs flea problem, quickly and effectively than have him suffer until I find a trend that works! None of that stuff will work for the long, long run like the flea medications do that you get from the vet, sure you have to apply once a month, but there is not one single sign of any fleas, ever, once you use it for the very first time, fleas still linger, especially in your home, with the "natural" stuff! A flea medicated dog or cat will kill all the fleas on whatever comes into contact with him! So, you are actually helping more than just yourself and more than just your pet! Now I think that is great and green!
That is just how I feel! I love Mother Earth, I love my dog, and I love my cat!
Go Green! Stop Animal Cruelty!
Think!"

02/05/2009: T from Maryland, USA replies: "You talk of "forcing" natural things on pets, but you simultaneously and hypocritically advocate forcing toxic chemicals on them (I've yet to see the dog that WANTS you to lather it in chemicals and force vet pills down its throat). Somehow that is the better option? Your allegations that natural flea control does not work are patently untrue. Please do some research.

You say: "I think whatever makes them uncomfortable, uneasy, afraid, anything like that, anything that they do not like or make a fuss about, is definitley 100% cruelty!" Animals can and do display all of the above in response to being administered vet meds as well, have you not noticed? On top of that, they're being made to ingest or absorb unnatural and harmful chemicals that they were never meant to to have in their bodies. THAT is cruel, and it also puts the lie to your "go green" slogan.

I am sure the vets would all agree with you, as you state - they stand to make good money off dispensing chemical treatments."

02/06/2009: AC from West Midlands, England replies: "Firstly, my family cats *love* the smell and taste of coconut oil. I don't have to force it on them, they demand it from me! Some other people here have stated that their cat or dog likes the taste of ACV.

Secondly, and I perhaps speak for myself when I say this, that nothing on EC for me is a "fad" or a "trend." My 74 year old grandmother has had ACV on her collard greens since she was very young, and other EC type of remedies, such as sea salt, white vinegar for fungus, cod liver oil. I didn't know anything about what ACV did, but I enjoyed it on my greens as well. I'd hardly call something that people have had every day for over 100 years a "fad" or "trend."

Third, many of us here have already tried the so called vets remedies. If they worked 100% of the time, none of us would be here looking for remedies for our pets ailments.

Fourth, have you actually tried any of EC's remedies instead of just labeling them?

While we all appreciate your passion for your dog and cat, and your stance on animal medication on behalf of all the vets of the world, perhaps you should more closely examine what kind of website EC is and that most people here are trying to change their lives (and the lives of their pets!) for the better and not forcing a human "fad" on them."

02/06/2009: Lumarei from London, UK replies: "Wow, there seems to be an awful lot of 100% certainty in your comments about apple cider vinegar. Yous sound as if you haven't even tried it. You probably just don't like the sound of vinegar. If you read Dr Jarvis book "Folk Medicine" where they added vinegar to cows feed they report that animals love the taste!!!

Your definition of cruelty is frankly ludicrous. Animal and children don't always know what is good for them and need help and guidance from adults/owners. I don't think they would walk into a vetenary practice and ask for treatment. Any pet owner trying to find/search for a good cure for his pet seems to me not not the kind of person who is interested in harming but helping their animal and is unlikely to tolerate cruelty."

02/06/2009: Dianna from Austin, TX replies: "are you insane? my chihuahua almost died front the 'safe' flea medication from the vet frontline. he lost all his fur at the application points and had a giant oozing sore for 2 months. the vet said to NEVER use frontline or any chemicals on my dog again as next time we may lose him. btw i was not the one who put the frontline on him. it was his previous owners. when we got him he was very sick.

natural remedies for fleas are usually benign. they include apple cider vinegar added to water and i have also used pine tar soap to wash him with wonderful results; i washed him twice and have not had to wash him in 6 months! he does get a 1/2 teaspoon of ACV in his drinking water daily - but i don't know if it is helping with fleas.

you need to do your research before you tell people that natural remedies are cruel versus chemical medicines. i would say that it is much more cruel to take your pet to a cold scary vet's office and have them do weird things to them that makes them sick as well as terrified.
djh"

02/06/2009: Dianna from Austin, TX replies: "another thing: do you know how frontline (or other spot treatments) actually work? the poison goes into the dog or cats bloodstream through the skin - so when the fleas bite the dog or cat they die. the poison circulates in the dog or cats bloodstream for a month. that is why you need to re-apply the poison after a months time. does this sound like a good idea to you? think about it. would you take this yourself? or give it to your children? i know i wouldn't.

like the other poster said - the remedies on earthclinic are NOT fads. most of the 'cures' on this site are folk remedies handed down for generations. just because you have never been introduced to them doesn't make them any less valid.

your post confounded me so much.

i can't believe that you would think that it is better to take an animal to a vet and put their well being in the hands of another person WITHOUT learning about the treatments you endorse. even my vet has told me about ACV. i do have a vet and if i need help i call or take my animals there. my vet knows that i prefer holistic approaches other than chemical and after i rescued my chihuahua from his previous owners and he was sick from the frontline it was the vet who told me to NEVER use chemicals on him again. he need not have worried....

>if you want to debate about the pros and cons of chemicals versus holistic treatments for animals PLEASE email me at ratgirldjh@yahoo.com - i can't wait.....
djh"

02/06/2009: Rose from Steedman, MO replies: "Ann, maybe your heart is in the right place, but you're missing reasonability. Isn't it obvious that if a resourceful person is searching for ways to help their loved ones, including pets, that it's out of love and a desire to comfort? You don't corner the market on Love and Compassion, Ann, lol. Especially when it comes to a person's beloved family, whether they be 2-legged or 4-legged.

You said "...I do not advocate doing this and that to my dog or cat! I think whatever makes them uncomfortable, uneasy, afraid, anything like that, anything that they do not like or make a fuss about, is definitley 100% cruelty!" When cats or dogs have ear problems perhaps with infection, they're hurting big time. The usual reaction for most people is to go to the vet they trust, who promptly gives us drops to put in their ears, and/or an antibiotic to ingest. Most pets I know don't enjoy the taste or the act of a liquid being put in their ears. What is a responsible pet owner who loves their little friend supposed to do? Watch them suffer? I think not.

Do you have children? Would you NOT want to do something about an ensuing ear infection that is making your child miserable and in danger of losing their hearing or developing a high fever which can cause brain damage? Not to mention, they're hurting and crying--a truly heart wrenching scene for a parent. Is it wrong to follow the dr's recommended treatment if the child does not like the taste of the medicine or the feeling of drops going into the ear? A typical situation that'll really rock your world. And sometimes a child is very young and not able to understand the seriousness of the situation and rebels against treatment. What do you do then, Ann?

You shout, "Stop Animal Cruelty!" Have you really considered what your impassioned ranting demands of YOU? You may never purchase or use shoes, wallets, purses, furniture or clothing containing any leather or wool, because the leather and wool sources for those items do indeed suffer to produce for us. (How about that collar around your dogs'/cats' neck? Leash? Sweaters? Blankets? Did your pet squirm when you first put their collar on them?) I presume you're also 100% vegetarian also. If you ever get bit by a snake, you'll have to just let the poison run its course, because the anti-venom treatment requires that a snake be captured and held against its will in order to extract the very "natural stuff" that'll save your -- or your beloved pets' or your child's -- life. Most people would pay any amount of money for a dose of that "natural stuff" when they're in a fix like that. But not you?

God, Mother Nature, Mother Earth, whatever term you use to credit the Creator of all things -- has provided for us very ingeniously...it's up to us to discover these provisions sometimes, Ann. You can't improve on nature in the long run."

02/06/2009: Dan from Brooklyn, Iowa replies: "First of all your comments are without facts. You promote Flea medications from Vets, well have you read the warning labels. They all say avoid contact with the human skin, if contact washed immediately. Point is if you can't have it on your skin then why would you put it on your pet's skin. My cats I have 10 of them are flea free cause I use ACV in their water. Put 3 drops with eye dropper in their water. Their coats are thicker, shinier, velvety soft, oh...and no fleas. It's has been proven that fleas doen't like acidic skin. You say that all Vets will agree with you....WRONG!!!!!!!....not all Vets will agree with you there are several websites with Vets disagreeing with you."

02/07/2009: Rosy from Orlando, Fl replies: "First off my cats love their water with apple cider vinegar! They will turn up their nose at regular tap water. Second, I have given the one spots a try, and they made one of my cats loss her hair and vomit. My second cat was terrified for weeks when I touched the area I put the spot. This happened with frontline, and advantage. Never again! Animal cruelty is using the spot ons!"

02/10/2009: Linda from Elizabeth, Pa replies: "This is a comment to the person that stated giving animals Apple Cider Vinegar is cruel.

Apple Cider Vinegar is probably the best remedy for everything including Acid Reflux. You always want to go the natural route if possible. For the past 30 yrs, my husband ( he's a painter)used paint thinner, turpentine,anything available to clean off the paint on his arms after finishing up a job. he would come home smelling like a chemical company. He now was just diagnosed with primary progressive MS. He used to laugh at me when i always would tell him to keep a bottle of vegetable oil in his truck to clean off the paint on his arms. I told him eventually it could make him ill..well, its too late now! Never, never use any chemicals on your pets skin or give him poison to kill fleas. i've been using a mixture of eucylptus oil, neem oil and a tiny bit of dawn detergent as a binding agent for the oils. this works great! you have to be careful with any oils on cats..i wouldn't use the oils on them but on dogs its great..i've used the vinegar and water on the cats and it also works. Again, please, NO CHEMICALS!!!!!!!!!"

02/21/2009: Christine from Melbourne, Fl replies: "Wow! Anne, your letter has made the top of the list for absolute ignorance! I've never read anything so arrogant and out of touch with reality on this site before! Congratulations! You won first place! On both counts.

Before you make yourself even worse, before you write anything else on a subject you know absolutely nothing about, try researching the subject first. I'm sure even you can type in a phrase in google and come up with enough search results to get some real facts.

How can you not think it cruel to put poisons in and on your pet? Most of the people here (I had to put most after reading your letter) have the ability to think for themselves and research what is best for their pets and have enough love in their hearts to do so. I would have to guess that their is only love for yourself and not enough left over for a pet of any sort. Maybe that is too harsh - maybe you could handle a goldfish. For you to judge others for being responsible pet owners, instead of a dumb sheep spewing out all kinds of nonsense and calling it abuse is absurd.

I was the ignorant pet owner you want us all to be and the thanks I got for that was two dogs with cancer from all the poisons I put into them. However, by changing their diet to raw food and with the help of "human" herbs, the dog with liposarcoma is now free from it and the dog with bone cancer is remarkably better. (neither dogs nor people live through liposarcoma with "modern medicine"!)

I can only pray God has more mercy for an animal than to let it be stuck with the likes of you!"

03/03/2009: NIKKI from ORLANDO, FL replies: "I CAME TO THIS SITE TO FIND A HOME REMEDY FOR FLEAS AND I FOUND A BUNCH OF JUVENILES FIGHTING ABOUT WHAT WORKS, AND WHAT DOESN'T, I'M RIGHT, YOU'RE WRONG, MY VET SAID THIS, AND YOU'RE CRUEL. ABSOLUTELY CRAZY. IF YOU COME TO THIS SITE LIKE I DID JUST LOOKING FOR A HOMEOPATHIC CURE FOR SOMETHING AND YOU DON'T AGREE, JUST DON'T FREAKING DO IT. JUST BECAUSE THIS SITE IS HERE AND YOU READ IT, DOES NOT MEAN YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE IT, OR TRY IT ON YOUR PET. IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT YOU SEE, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. I BELIEVE IN BEING AS NATURAL AS POSSIBLE AND REALLY APPRECIATE THIS SITE, THANKS TO WHOEVER POSTED IT. THANK YOU."

03/06/2009: Ana from LA, CA replies: "I 100% do not agree with you at all and think you should do some research and not trust vet's 100% just because they say soo and it is simple and easy FOR YOU...it takes sometimes more work and time to do it naturally and safer for our pets.

I lost my 2 year old dog after ADVANTAGE - so NEVER EVER AGAIN will i put chemicals on my dog and i warn everybody about it.

I brush my dogs daily - a lot of hair and with essential oils and still trying to figure out what works best for them....but better a little bad taste up and on than getting sick with seizures for 6 month and not being able to walk, eat etc and than die!!!!!!!!

It is more time consuming yesss but in the end for the better of our pets 100% for sure!!!!!!!"

03/24/2009: Charles from Lexington, KY replies: ""Can't we all just get along?" I love each and every one of you! Especially you Anne. You have stirred up a hornets nest which I think is good thing now and then. I hope you find peace and happiness in all you do. Charles"

04/29/2009: London from Sandusky, Ohio replies: "Why are you guys being so vicious!!!

Listen, everybody is DIFFERENT. My best friend has used frontline and advantage for years on her chihuahua's with NO problems. Yet, I, personally, always take more natural routes. I find those medicines controvercial and expensive, and I have a toddler. So, I really don't want to use insecticides.

I use flea collars and brewers yeast, and ACV. Tea tree oil, and neem baths in castile soap. Granted, yeah, they still have some flea problems, I just would rather take a more gentler approach. I would NEVER tell people to stop taking their pets to the vet, or using these products. My girlfriend claims NOTHING else works for her dogs, and she's right, fleas are stubborn, and horrible to get rid of."

06/26/2009: Zipp from Akron, Ohio replies: "Ann, I hate to assume you're just trolling this board but I have to say this.

I guess it's cruel for me to cook my pets food instead of trusting pet food companies to not add harmful ingredients - just look to the cat food scare in 2007, and read 'Food Pets Die For' and 'The Whole Pet Diet' for more information. My 10-year-old overweight cat is now a healthy weight, the underweight cat is now a healthy size, their coats gleam, and their energy levels resemble kittens. I've used ACV for some months now with great success, and the cats show no visible signs of distress when the minute amount is added to their food.

Adding a bunch of chemicals to their skin, which come with many warnings to wash it off OUR skin and avoid contact with eyes does not equal being "BETTER FOR YOUR PET". I actually only get agressive with flea treatment if any of them show obvious signs that the fleas are bothering them. These remedies have been around for years. Advantage, Program, et al haven't really been around long enough to be trusted.

Do you want YOUR beloved pet to become the guinea pig for these sprays and spot treatments? I don't. When pets lives get cut short from all these medications, I won't be mourning the loss of my girls. I'll know I did their best to recreate the most natural life they could know - a life cats (and dogs) have known for centuries before the advent of modern chemical warfare on fleas."

06/27/2009: Carmen from Nova Scotia, Canada replies: "After reading your post I can't help but think that this is not the site for you. Regarding your comment "every vet would agree with you" of that I'm sure, they may even suggest a check up every 6 months. Already being a regular visitor to this site for humans, when my husband came home one Friday with a sick kitten (found on the side of a county road) this site was my first thought. And a HUGE THANK YOU to all earth clinic posters. The kitten was pleasant enough but had some issues with his back end, legs being very weak and his anus looking not at all proper (like a puffy dounut)with leaking issues. After reading up on possible causes worry and second guessing set in, but as my husband said we don't know what he has been eating, if any thing at all. We decided to wait out the weekend and if there was no improvement by Monday we would make an apt with the vet, that was three weeks ago. The wonderful advice from Earth Clinic posters that we used included PUMPKIN PUREE, ACV, ORGANIC COCONUT OIL & GARLIC (most on both ends). Gomer is not only a pleasent kitty but HEALTY, HAPPY and 100% torture free. At feeding time he keeps meowing until we add something (pumpkin and or coconut oil). Anus is now normal and he has no problem jumping (all over our other cat & dog), his coat is healthy and shiny and his purr is more like a rumble."

10/03/2009: Nicole from Jefferson City, Missouri replies: "In response to the vet that was upset because people were trying "fads" instead of using commercial products: I have seven cats. We tried the commercial product from the vet. $99.00 for the drops on the back of the neck and another $30 for the bombs in the house, not to mention alot of heavy duty cleaning! Not even a week later the cats were infested again. Thought that stuff was supposed to last a month? Guess not. Given weekly, even if we had the money, would probably kill them immediately, and that is beside the long term side effects and health damage that seems to be quite repressed in our Country of free speech. The infestation is quite serious, with several having multiple soars on the back of the neck. Yes, I intend to try a dish soap bath (oh boy!) and salt on the floor and the DE stuff from the garden center for the basement. I always worried and hated putting poisionous chemicals on my babies, but it was adding insult to injury when it didn't even work!!! BTW - you assume that all people can afford the vet and commercial products. all seven of my babies are "fixed" and have had their ititial shots, but as a single parent, money can be an issue. I do my best by them - and my children. I will also try the water bowl/dish soap flea traps - with the wire mesh covers to keep the cats out. And I will pray that something works. A note for anyone bathing a kitten - be sure to keep the body temperature warm til they are very dry, we lost a kitten we were rescuing because I didn't realize how delicate they are when wet. the heating pad/towel is a great idea."

VINEGAR

1 YEA

[YEA]  12/29/2008: Maria from San Marcos, Texas writes: "Im not sure what ACV is! Can you get me more feedback on it. I do however know that vinegar works wells for flea infestation. I have a spray bottle of vinegar with naturally squeezed lemon juice, and water. Mix together I first spray my dog in the bath tub and then comb his hair, the fleas just naturally come off. I also give him a little in his water every day. I havent been prompted about it due to holidays but Im starting on it. I also sprinkle lots of salt on the carpet without the borax becuase I have two little ones. However I let it stand over night and I wait a couple of hours then spray vinegar with lemon this completely vanishes them . This beats any expensive treatment or harsh chemicals on your kids, or dogs. Also mop with vinegar. I know the small is bad but it completely vanishes the pesky fleas, and any other bug. I need to know though what ACV is and where do I get this stuff."

EC: ACV = Apple Cider Vinegar

Click here for more: http://www.earthclinic.com/guides.html

05/15/2009: Jamie from Largo, Fl replies: "WHAT is the mixture of the lemon, vinegar & water?"

06/23/2009: Fred from Guys Mills, Penna replies: "I was reading all the remedies for flea control. I got to the end and Jamie wanted to know the mixture for vinegar, lemon and water? I missed the answer or didn't it. Is there a recipe?"

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