I am always looking for alternative ways to manage fleas and other critters that prey on dogs.  This is an interesting idea.

How to Make a Natural Dog Flea Massage Oil

from wikiHow – The How to Manual That You Can Edit

When the fleas are getting too much, you can give your dog a massage treat, as well as sending those fleas packing. And the great thing about this massage oil is that it is chemical-free, so it is environmentally-friendly and dog-friendly too.

Steps

1. Check the ingredients list below and go shopping. Health food stores are most likely your best source for the ingredients.
2. Place the sunflower oil into a glass or ceramic bowl (metallic bowls may react with some of the ingredients).
3. Add all the essential oils and blend well. It’s that easy – now you have the massage oil.
4. Find a place in your home where your dog feels comfortable. Your dog will be a little greasy after the massage, so make sure you are happy that the area is adequately protected from possible marks or stains.
5. Commence the massage with Fido. Gently massage the oil mixture into your dog’s coat, using your fingertips.
6. Make sure that you massage all around the dog, even under its legs, ears and tail, as you want to avoid fleas finding an “island of safety”.
7. Make sure also that your dog is enjoying the experience. He should not be whining! Generally dogs love a massage – it is both extreme attention from their beloved owner and it is comforting.
8. At the end of the massage, your dog may be a little greasy but will smell delicious to you and not to the fleas.
9. You will need to repeat this massage at least every two days for about a week until you can see the fleas decreasing.
10. Make sure that the massage is part of a concerted effort at eliminating the fleas, including washing the dog’s bedding, mopping floor areas daily and vacuuming (empty the bag or contents into the garbage bin immediately after to remove the fleas from your house).

Tips

• Use this time to bond with your dog. Talk to her gently and release your tensions of the day at the same time – massage is a precious and caring act.
• Wash the dog’s bedding in hot water to kill fleas. If the dog has a basket or similar bed, take it out into the sunshine and hose it down and let the sun do its job (fleas are at their worst in summertime, so this should not be a problem)
• You can also feed Brewer’s Yeast powder to your dog’s diet (approx 25mg per 5 kg (11lb) bodyweight during the period that you are trying to eliminate the fleas

Warnings

• Pennyroyal oil should not be used on pregnant dogs, or by pregnant women
• Pennyroyal oil is highly toxic in high doses, so make sure it is only 1 drop that you use and leave the lid screwed on tightly and put the bottle out of the reach of children and pets; it is worth using, however, as it is the vital anti-flea ingredient
• All essential oils should be handled with care as they all have a toxic potential if swallowed by children or pets; keep well-guarded and away from them
• Essential oils should be stored in a dark, cool area to prevent them from going rancid

Things You’ll Need

• 2 teaspoons of sunflower oil
• 2 drops orange oil
• 3 drops citronella oil
• 3 drops lemon oil
• 1 drop pennyroyal oil (see warnings above)

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