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Those Pesky Pests!
Oh, those dreaded fleas! No matter how well taken care of your little one may be, all dogs are fair game when it comes to these bothersome bugs. The female flea consumes 15 times her own body weight in blood and, after her first blood meal, will begin to lay eggs. Therefore, if you see one flea, chances are there are many more lurking either on your dog, in beds, or in carpeting. Taking steps to prevent fleas from wanting to bite your puppy in the first place can make this summer a much more pleasant one for both of you!
When using a spot-on flea product that is applied directly to your dog monthly, be sure it is specifically made for their weight range. Monitor your little dog's behavior after the application to watch for any possible side effects. If you notice any type of adverse reaction, bring your little one to the vet if necessary, and switch flea preventatives. Since different preventatives contain different ingredients, you might have better luck with another brand. Also, note that some of these products become ineffective after a bath and will need to be reapplied.
For a more natural alternative, try a fresh clove of garlic mashed up and added to your pooch's plate once a day at mealtime. Fleas loathe the flavor of garlic and will "flee" from your dog in search of a better-tasting meal elsewhere!
You can also create your own very safe flea repellent spray created from nothing but pure essential oils and water. Plants self-produce essential oils as a natural way of keeping bugs off. Citronella, cedar, eucalyptus, lemongrass, and lavender are great repellants. Place between 10 and 20 drops (depending on your dog's size) of any of these oils, in any combination, into a pint-sized dark glass spray bottle. Mist your little dog each time they go outdoors. As a matter of fact, spritz it on both of you since you can use it to keep those awful mosquitoes away!
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