The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Posted by Keener (Larryville Ks) on 07/20/2018 ★★★★★
It REALLY works for fleas and ticks. I live in an area of the US known for having lots of fleas and ticks. I started using the diatomaceous earth in May and it's now July and I have had NO fleas on my dog or in my house :) I simply put it in one of those red ketchup bottles from the dollar store. I put it on my dog and on his bedding. We have been flea free all summer :)
Posted by Peggy (Delbarton, WV US) on 12/20/2014 ★★★★★
I was reading all the comments. I have used FOOD GRADE diatomaceous earth on all my dogs and cat for years. It eliminates worms, and handles the fleas. During the worst season for fleas I use it around my doors. I only use it on their wet food, not dry and just a pinch once a month. I have yet to see any ill effects from the use of Food Grade DE. Pool Grade is very dangerous for humans and animals, make certain you purchase Food Grade, I get mine at Tractor Supply.
Posted by Gardengirl (Gallatin , Tn. U.s.a.) on 04/19/2013 ★★★★★
I just want to share my good news about getting rid of parasites in my mixed hound dog (Lucy), she was coughing, losing weight and starving all the time. I had already tried worm pills ( didn't do the job). I really was getting worried that I might lose her. Started putting 1 T. Of DE in her food, which was a lot for her body weight (25lbs. ), wanted to make sure it worked good. Well, that was 3 weeks ago , now no coughing, has gained weight, lots of energy. I also have 2 other dogs, so it a great cure for fleas( dust them ) works GREAT!!!!!
The only Diatomaceous Earth products you should use inside your home are those that are Human Grade Formula. Many outdoor Diatomaceous Earth products/posions contain added chemicals that can be harmful to humans/pets.
Posted by Jazz (Blackpool, United Kingdom) on 05/21/2011
Yes it means the diatomaceus earth(DE) was working. As the worms die they release toxins, your cat must have a large amount of worms. However DE absorbs the toxins once u start giving DE you should not stop for at least 3 weeks until all the eggs have died.
Ted, or anyone else, have any of you tried food grade diatomacious earth (DE)? It sure SEEMS to dry everything up fast, including MY white heads, dogs white heads, dogs' black heads (which came pooping out themselves, to be combed out easily with a flea comb) much else. It seems to be so effective at drying out shells/bodies of insects (fleas etc) and so safe, it made me try to use it as a dusting powder on the dog at the site of demodex infection. It certainly SEEMED to work.
I was so pleased (this before Dx with demodex). The vet thought TOO drying and told me to stop as antibiotics were started. My little old shih tzu girl became worse and worse.
When I restarted, (after visiting dog dermatologist who also said not to use, and AFTER things were looking really bad again) once again it all seemed to calm right down.
I also contacted a holistic vet who endorsed it on the site that I purchased the product from and she said it could be used as a cure for generalized demodex, but that I had to purchase her "package" ($125) for her further help.
Somehow, that seemed funny to me--my experience is vets who have answers try to give out that info as much as possible. Am I overly suspicious?
Hi, I started giving to my dog diatomaceous about 5 weeks ago. She is 105 lb and I started minimum dose and increase to 1 1/2 table spoon. Two days ago she got a urine infection, which she never had it before, and she is almost 10 years old.
My question is, can the diatomaceous cause that? The doctor said if it has a high calcium, it can develop the bladder stones.
Posted by Suseeq (Sydney, Australia) on 06/25/2016
I would go all raw and spray their coat with apple cider vinegar and water. Also put some in drinking water. Diatomaceous earth dosages can be found on this site. I have never used it so can't speak from experience here.
The food grade Diatomaceous Earth was actually doing it's job and removing the parasites as it should but then you got scared and stopped it. The fact that your other cats were doing well should have been the indication everything was fine. This was classic respiratory parasite elimination.
Hi Pennie from Indpl, I also use food grade Diatomaceous Earth. It is awesome stuff. I use it around my foundation to kill fleas and ticks, instead of pesticides. I also mix 1/2 cup, with 1 tablespoon of dish washing soap, into a gallon of water. I mix this into a pump sprayer and spray my lawn. It's alot less messy looking, than spreading it dry. No tick and fleas;0) You can also give it to your dog as a dewormer. I don't use it as a dewormer, because I use garlic and RAW ACV. Garlic will get rid of heartworms and intestinal parasites and ACV will get rid of fleas. I've also used Diatomaceous Earth, to get rid of bed bugs. Fill up a sock and pat around your house. Wear a dust mask while doing this. Than leave your house until the dust settles. Leave it there for 3 weeks and say goodbye to the bed bugs and roaches;0)
Posted by Patti (Coconut Creek, Fl) on 04/10/2010 3 posts ★★★★★
I wanted to add I give my horses and dog DE for parasite control. I've taken it myself from time to time, too. It's very important to know that there is a Food Grade DE ....and there is diatomaceous earth product that is sold for use in pool filters. That product is toxic. Be sure to buy Food Grade diatomaceous earth.
What would you say the ratio is for DE & water. How much did you put in the ears? I brought my mom's cat home to live with me after her recent passing. I'm in dire need of help. My vet wants me to use Ivamec he mixed with mineral oil & I've read to my bad things about it. Urgent need of some help for him. Than you!
I just wanted to comment on the fleas section. It is true that any shampoo will kill fleas, but it needs to be left on for 30 min. Also, if you have a flea infestation in your house, just spraying your animal wont help. You must treat where the fleas live. See, they only feed on your animal. I have tremendous luck using table salt and food-grade diatomaceous earth all over the house to kill fleas and prevent. The salt (I prefer organic unprocessed sea salt) cuts into the body of the flea and then allows the DE to dehydrate the animal. Salt by itself does seem to work also, I just like a faster approach. Keep in mind though that this means of defense does take up to 2 months to work as some fleas are still hatching. In really bad infestation, it could take longer. I think flea eggs can survive up to 280 days. I would also like to recommend quadruped pet products. I work at a holistic pet care center and this is what we use to bathe the animals. They do not contain(unlike most pet shampoos) any harsh chemicals. Also, all their products are concentrates so it is much cheaper than buying the harmful stuff from pet shops or grocery stores.
Thank you for your reply. I will start doing the treatment. I have also read using yellow dock but all of the remedies use dried herbs or tincture to make a tea. I have it in powder form and don't know what ratio yellow dock/water to use. Thanks again Soazburrolady
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
DE is not good for roaches; it is a mechanicide that will get into their joints which then causes wear resulting in perforations in their exoskeleton which in turn causes them to bleed out and die. I suppose it is good for killing them, but if you keep pet roaches avoid exposure at all costs. DE is not good for mice in that you don't want any critter to inhale the dust because it can be irritating, but it won't kill the mice like it will for roaches. If you are trying to rid your home of roaches for sure put down the DE and consider a bottle trap, and if you are trying to rid your home mice consider a bucket trap.
Posted by Sherry (Virginia Beach, Virginia ) on 06/25/2016
Help! I adopted 2 ferals who I can't put collars on because they are still warming up to me. What can I put in their food that they will eat? How much is it? I have 1 adult and 2 6 month olds.
Posted by Angela (Scotia, Ny, Usa) on 01/24/2011 ★☆☆☆☆
I gave my cat diatamatious earth for her worm problem. She seemed to get sick and was hacking and coughung alot. So I quit giving it to her. It didnt bother my other two cats at all. Does that mean that it was doing its job??? PLEASE HELP ME FIGURE THIS OUT
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
Hardware stores do carry DE however it is not the kind for applying to your pet or taking internally. The type to be used on the pet- and safe for your pet to lick up - is the food grade DE, not the hardware store kind. Only use the product from the hardware store outside.
Posted by Lisa (Wichita Falls, Texas) on 06/14/2010 ★☆☆☆☆
NAY
Tina, I have only used DE in food for parasites in the body of pets.
Mange is a mite, but it is under the skin, so I don't see how the DE would help. DE looks like flour, but it is actually something that comes out of the ocean and is ground up .It is like fiber glass to bugs. It scratches their body when that come in contact with it and they basically just dry up! For mange all I have ever used is cotton balls and plain old cooking oil. I just rub the oil everywhere that the pet's hair is getting thin. I do this twice a day for about a week or so. If the mange is bad, then it will have to be put on longer. But, if they lick it, it will not make them sick! If there are any scabby places that they can get with the mange, I just put peroxide 3 times a day until the places are well. Oil will get on things, so I just put an old blanket or something for them to lay on. I would rather do this than to put something on them that will make them sick.
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