As a dog owner, one of the biggest concerns to tackle is fleas and tick infestation. These parasites feed off the pets’ blood, causing excessive scratching and irritation. There is a variety of flea and tick repellents in the market. However, it is necessary to be aware of natural remedies. The following article lists some of the most effective treatments to manage flea and tick infestation in dogs at home:

Clinical options
Before discussing natural remedies to manage flea and tick infestation in dogs, it is also important to be aware of clinical treatment options.

• Simparica®
  This is one such option that prevents flea and tick infestation in dogs. The FDA-approved oral treatment option can be given once a month which remains effective for up to 35 days.
• Other treatment options
  Other options include Bravecto® and K9 Advantix®, where the latter is a topical treatment used on a monthly basis, and the former is an oral treatment option used once in three months. Bravecto® can also be used for getting rid of heartworm.

Foods to eat
Experts say that fleas and ticks are likely to attack weak and unhealthy animals. If your dog is given healthy and nutritious foods, fleas and tick infestation won’t be a problem. Make sure your dog’s meal comprises of fresh whole foods and unprocessed proteins. Nutrients such as B vitamins, probiotics, sulfur, omega-6 fatty acids, and omega-3 fatty acids are essential for their health. These nutrients can be acquired from foods like meats, organ meats, fatty fish, flaxseed, poultry, eggs, broccoli, cauliflower, and more.

Natural home remedies

• Essential oils
  The topical application of essential oils is one of the best natural remedies for treating fleas and tick infestation in dogs. It’s best to use essential oils like lavender, peppermint, lemongrass, cedar oil, or eucalyptus oil. Spray this diluted mixture directly over your dog’s coat, avoiding their face. It is also important to avoid soaking their coat with essential oils— just spray once at any given spot.
• Flea comb
  If your dog is already infested with fleas and ticks, use this traditional method to remove the insects from your dog’s coat. The flea comb features closely spaced teeth. When you run it through your dog’s coat, it effectively removes fleas, ticks, and their eggs stuck on the skin and coat of the dog.