The weather is getting warmer, and many of us are spending lots of quality time outside with our pets. But with the higher temperatures and increased humidity, the likelihood of your pet being exposed to fleas and ticks increases.
At this time of year, conditions are ideal for these nasty pests to survive and multiply. Bites from fleas and ticks are uncomfortable and irritating, and can also put your pet at risk of serious health problems.
Fleas can cause illnesses such as Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), cat scratch disease and anemia. Ticks can also spread dangerous diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever – which can be fatal.
Fleas and ticks are a menace to both pets and people, so how can you protect your home and loved ones from these stubborn and dangerous pests?
Protecting Your Home from Fleas and Ticks
Your home is your castle, and the good news is there are steps you can take to protect it from fleas and ticks.
In the Garden
Be sure to keep grass mowed and shrubs trimmed back. Eliminate other obvious hiding places such as piles of wood or patches of tall weeds. Sprinkle food-grade Diatomaceous Earth in areas your pet frequents. Diatomaceous earth is a non-toxic powder made up of fossilized organisms that break apart flea eggs and kill adult fleas.
Around the House
Keeping things tidy around the house can go a long way in the fight against pests. Make sure to keep carpets and furnishings clean and vacuumed, and regularly wash bed linens and pet beds.
Checking for Fleas and Ticks
It's also important to check for fleas and ticks regularly - especially when returning from walks outside. Use a flea comb, and If you find fleas, comb and bathe your pet thoroughly. If you discover a tick on your pet, be very careful removing it. A specially designed tick-removal tool is the best option to prevent infection in you or your pet.
The Dangers of Chemical Flea and Tick Preventatives
There are lots of flea and tick treatments on the market today, but many are ineffective – or pose serious health risks to your pet.
Responsible pet owners should be particularly wary of using chemical preventatives; either year-round or seasonally.
Many vets recommend chemical preventatives as a solution to the pest problem, but chemical oral flea and tick preventatives and spot-on products can cause a range of health problems including skin irritation, vomiting and even seizures.
The best way to protect your pet against fleas and ticks is with an all-natural preventative. That's right – fight nature with nature!
Therapeutic Coconut Oil - a Safe and Natural Solution
100% natural, human-grade coconut oil acts as an effective flea and tick repellent. It's a safe and natural alternative to powerful chemicals that risk the health of your precious pets.
Chemical pest preventatives work by entering your pet's bloodstream, killing fleas and ticks on ingestion of your pet's blood. Therapeutic coconut oil is different. It repels and kills fleas and ticks on contact – eliminating harmful side effects.
Since therapeutic coconut oil is non-toxic, free of chemicals and soothing to your pet's skin, it's the perfect solution to the pest problem. It has been the traditional remedy for fleas, mites, (and even lice) in the Philippines for centuries.
So how does it work? When applied to the skin and coat, coconut oil coats the exoskeleton of any existing parasites, suffocating them and limiting their mobility. In addition, because of coconut oil’s anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, it prevents bites from becoming infected and helps heal inflamed skin.
If you suspect that your pet has fleas, massage a generous amount of coconut oil onto the skin and hair of the animal, making sure to coat the skin well. Leave the oil on for at least 8 hours, then wash your pet with a natural, gentle shampoo.
When treating your pets, be sure to choose a therapeutic grade oil such as CocoTherapy coconut oil. Our oil is sourced from our USDA-certified organic family farm in the Philippines and made in our own facility. It’s high in lauric acid, and effective against stubborn pests.
You can also make an effective and safe pest repellent to apply before your pet goes outdoors. Simply mix a few drops of any one or two of the following flea-repelling oils, such as tea tree oil, neem oil, lavender, lemon, eucalyptus (radiata), peppermint, cedar (atlantica), or rosemary oils with coconut oil as a base.
To use as a pest repellent, cover your hands with a small amount of the coconut oil mixture, then massage into your pet's coat. Take care to work the oil down so it makes contact with the skin.
Make sure to apply the oil liberally on the foot pads, between the toes, around and inside the ears, armpits, and bellies. As a side benefit, your pet will have a shiny, moisturized skin and coat, as coconut oil helps with itchy, scaly skin and dry fur!
Click here for our DIY recipes for natural flea and tick repellant using virgin coconut oil and TriPlex MCT-3 Oil.
Please note that essential oils can be potentially toxic to cats. Check with your holistic vet when using essential oils on or around cats. In the case of cats with fleas or ticks, plain therapeutic virgin coconut oil high in lauric acid is sufficient to eliminate and prevent fleas, ticks and mites.
We hope you enjoyed today's post. Have you used CocoTherapy coconut oil as a natural pest repellent with your pets? Let us know in the comments!
For more information about CocoTherapy and our coconut oil, chips, and treats for pets, check out more of our blogs.
23 comments
B. Lokey
I gently warm extra virgin coconut oil to liquify it and then use a one inch stiff bristle paint brush to paint it from top of my puppy’s head and down the back to to the root of tail. Then it’s time to use fingers in a scratching motion to massage it into tskin
I gently warm extra virgin coconut oil to liquify it and then use a one inch stiff bristle paint brush to paint it from top of my puppy’s head and down the back to to the root of tail. Then it’s time to use fingers in a scratching motion to massage it into tskin
Sabina Tamburin
I think the fleas got used to the dog type chemicals I put on them for the fleas. They have a terrible case and, although, I try to avoid chemicals nothing else seemed to work. One of my dogs became very itchy and her skin was extremely red. I felt so bad for her. Before I read this article I put coconut oil on her tummy and it helped with the irritation. Today I put it all over both dogs and dead fleas and half dead fleas came off into my hand as I messaged and rubbed the oil in. I am going to leave it on all night. I put it in my hair and on my body, too. I have been bit on occasion by fleas and ticks so I am not taking any chances. I will just have to wash all my bedding tomorrow after tonight’s “oily sleep”.
I think the fleas got used to the dog type chemicals I put on them for the fleas. They have a terrible case and, although, I try to avoid chemicals nothing else seemed to work. One of my dogs became very itchy and her skin was extremely red. I felt so bad for her. Before I read this article I put coconut oil on her tummy and it helped with the irritation. Today I put it all over both dogs and dead fleas and half dead fleas came off into my hand as I messaged and rubbed the oil in. I am going to leave it on all night. I put it in my hair and on my body, too. I have been bit on occasion by fleas and ticks so I am not taking any chances. I will just have to wash all my bedding tomorrow after tonight’s “oily sleep”.
Crystal Losch
Our 13 year old cat got fleas. She is too old for chemicals. We were bathing her to fight fleas. She did not like it. My daughter told me about coconut oil. Yesterday I rubbed coconut oil on her and she loved it. I left it on. This is day 2. I rubbed her down again. Only found a few. She is much happier. She likes the rub down and it works. Look forward to this treatment because she’s happy.
Our 13 year old cat got fleas. She is too old for chemicals. We were bathing her to fight fleas. She did not like it. My daughter told me about coconut oil. Yesterday I rubbed coconut oil on her and she loved it. I left it on. This is day 2. I rubbed her down again. Only found a few. She is much happier. She likes the rub down and it works. Look forward to this treatment because she’s happy.
Lina
Thank you for tbe information. My cat and dogs have been battling fleas all summer. Didn’t realize how bad until I saw hair missing on my cat. My poor old man of 16yrs old. I tried the coconut oil on his treats last night. And my daughter rubbed him down with some. Tomorrow will do the dogs. Hopefully his hair will grow back soon.
Thank you for tbe information. My cat and dogs have been battling fleas all summer. Didn’t realize how bad until I saw hair missing on my cat. My poor old man of 16yrs old. I tried the coconut oil on his treats last night. And my daughter rubbed him down with some. Tomorrow will do the dogs. Hopefully his hair will grow back soon.
Tammy Davis
It works. I rubbed coconut oil on my dog and it killed fleas on dog. I haven’t seen a flea in a week.
It works. I rubbed coconut oil on my dog and it killed fleas on dog. I haven’t seen a flea in a week.
Charisa
Hi Lis, if you give our Virgin Coconut Oil orally as a food supplement, it will help support your dog’s coat and skin, and will not give them an oil residue. Start small, and slowly work up to the recommended daily dose. When you apply it to their coat, just apply a small amount and gently massage deep into the skin. The oil absorbs nicely into the skin and works as a great coat conditioner. When your dogs go back in the house, simply wipe their coats with a clean, dry towel to remove any excess oil.
Hi Lis, if you give our Virgin Coconut Oil orally as a food supplement, it will help support your dog’s coat and skin, and will not give them an oil residue. Start small, and slowly work up to the recommended daily dose. When you apply it to their coat, just apply a small amount and gently massage deep into the skin. The oil absorbs nicely into the skin and works as a great coat conditioner. When your dogs go back in the house, simply wipe their coats with a clean, dry towel to remove any excess oil.
Charisa
Hi Marlene, when you apply coconut oil to the dog, rub a small amount of oil directly into the skin. It will help condition the skin. When the dogs go back in the house, wipe their coats with a clean, dry cloth to get any dirt or excess oil out. You will need to reapply whenever your dog goes outside.
Hi Marlene, when you apply coconut oil to the dog, rub a small amount of oil directly into the skin. It will help condition the skin. When the dogs go back in the house, wipe their coats with a clean, dry cloth to get any dirt or excess oil out. You will need to reapply whenever your dog goes outside.
Lis
My dogs are inside and outdoor dogs, will the coconut oil be leaving a oily residue?, specially my little chick is that’s sleeps in the bed with me.
My dogs are inside and outdoor dogs, will the coconut oil be leaving a oily residue?, specially my little chick is that’s sleeps in the bed with me.
Marlene A Streiff
I have used coconut oil it helps about a day haven’t found much to help them and they get more dirt on them from the oil.but not sure it does much for more than 2 days even if I don’t bathe them .
I have used coconut oil it helps about a day haven’t found much to help them and they get more dirt on them from the oil.but not sure it does much for more than 2 days even if I don’t bathe them .
Maria Dsouza
I love everything about the post and the natural spray, especially the fact that it smells like peppermint. I have always been wary of using chemicals on them, and it seems like I have the best solution now.
I am definitely going to try out the natural spray on them. Thanks!
I love everything about the post and the natural spray, especially the fact that it smells like peppermint. I have always been wary of using chemicals on them, and it seems like I have the best solution now.
I am definitely going to try out the natural spray on them. Thanks!
tony
It is important you always wear rubber gloves while removing the ticks.
Remember they can latch onto your skin as well. While using the tweezers,
you have to be careful as to not harm the cats while picking it as close to his skin as you can.
doing this you can directly kill them by using flea and tick killer for cats
It is important you always wear rubber gloves while removing the ticks.
Remember they can latch onto your skin as well. While using the tweezers,
you have to be careful as to not harm the cats while picking it as close to his skin as you can.
doing this you can directly kill them by using flea and tick killer for cats
RO
I use coconut oil for everything. I am currently fighting fleas and my littlest 3lb yorkie had very irritated skin. She is covered head to toe in coconut oil, 1 it’s easier to see if there are any fleas on her, 2 It’s helping calm the skin and 3 I haven’t seen a flea or egg on her in 2 days! Now to do the other 3 after their baths today.
JUST A TIP: If you wash your fur baby with conditioner first and then shampoo it will help remove the coconut oil!
I use coconut oil for everything. I am currently fighting fleas and my littlest 3lb yorkie had very irritated skin. She is covered head to toe in coconut oil, 1 it’s easier to see if there are any fleas on her, 2 It’s helping calm the skin and 3 I haven’t seen a flea or egg on her in 2 days! Now to do the other 3 after their baths today.
JUST A TIP: If you wash your fur baby with conditioner first and then shampoo it will help remove the coconut oil!
Carolyn Bush
I would like this cocotherapy
I would like this cocotherapy
Jo-Ann
Thank you for that information. I don’t use any toxic chemicals on my pets. Going to try the mixture for repelling fleas. They’re really bad this year. Been battling all summer,
Thank you for that information. I don’t use any toxic chemicals on my pets. Going to try the mixture for repelling fleas. They’re really bad this year. Been battling all summer,
Yvie Van de Vegte
So happy to have found this article. I have been desperately seaching for alternative flea control to the toxic chemical ones. Going to try this straight away…thank you.
So happy to have found this article. I have been desperately seaching for alternative flea control to the toxic chemical ones. Going to try this straight away…thank you.
Charisa
Hi Bren, yes you can! We recommend giving dogs and cats 1 tsp per 10 lb body weight. Make sure that the coconut oil you use is true cold-pressed, as some brands machine-press their oils, which generates heat and is not true cold-pressed and raw. CocoTherapy Organic virgin coconut oil is true-cold pressed, raw, and has the highest Lauric Acid levels.
-CocoTherapy
Hi Bren, yes you can! We recommend giving dogs and cats 1 tsp per 10 lb body weight. Make sure that the coconut oil you use is true cold-pressed, as some brands machine-press their oils, which generates heat and is not true cold-pressed and raw. CocoTherapy Organic virgin coconut oil is true-cold pressed, raw, and has the highest Lauric Acid levels.
-CocoTherapy
Bren Lee
Can I use Organic Virgin Cold Pressed Unrefined Coconut Oil on my dogs and cats?
Can I use Organic Virgin Cold Pressed Unrefined Coconut Oil on my dogs and cats?
Charisa
@Cindy Hi, yes you can leave the coconut oil on the body of the cat. Try to rub it into the skin as well as possible. However, be aware that your cat may still look a bit oily with some oil on his fur. 😀. Yes, you can use a dry shampoo or waterless shampoo to remove some of the oil. Please use one formulated for cats.
-CocoTherapy
@Cindy Hi, yes you can leave the coconut oil on the body of the cat. Try to rub it into the skin as well as possible. However, be aware that your cat may still look a bit oily with some oil on his fur. 😀. Yes, you can use a dry shampoo or waterless shampoo to remove some of the oil. Please use one formulated for cats.
-CocoTherapy
Cindy
Thanks for this article. It gives me hope on how to treat fleas.
However my cats do not like baths. Can I just leave the coconut oil on its body instead having to bathe the cats?
If I must bathe them, can I use dry shampoo instead?
Thank you.
Thanks for this article. It gives me hope on how to treat fleas.
However my cats do not like baths. Can I just leave the coconut oil on its body instead having to bathe the cats?
If I must bathe them, can I use dry shampoo instead?
Thank you.
Derryl Moore
Thanks so much for this very informative information about cocanut oil for dogs..
Thanks so much for this very informative information about cocanut oil for dogs..
Charisa Antigua
Thanks for your inquiry, Mary. You can get that kind of coconut oil right here on the CocoTherapy site! Our coconut oil is a therapeutic-grade oil, and highly effective compared to grocery store brands. Check out our coconut oil page https://www.cocotherapy.com/collections/coconut to browse and buy our coconut oil products. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at info@cocotherapy.com.
To learn more about what makes our coconut oil special, see https://www.cocotherapy.com/pages/the-cocotherapy-difference.
Thanks for your inquiry, Mary. You can get that kind of coconut oil right here on the CocoTherapy site! Our coconut oil is a therapeutic-grade oil, and highly effective compared to grocery store brands. Check out our coconut oil page https://www.cocotherapy.com/collections/coconut to browse and buy our coconut oil products. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at info@cocotherapy.com.
To learn more about what makes our coconut oil special, see https://www.cocotherapy.com/pages/the-cocotherapy-difference.
Mary
Where can i get this kind of coconut oil
Where can i get this kind of coconut oil
Susan E Phibbs
No not yet. I have only been adding it to my pupadogs meals breakfast and dinner I did see a difference I their coat much more shinny but our of my dogs has severe skin allergies it’s helped some but I see from this message above that I need to add it into his skin and hair.
Thank you we will be trying it this way also.
Susan
No not yet. I have only been adding it to my pupadogs meals breakfast and dinner I did see a difference I their coat much more shinny but our of my dogs has severe skin allergies it’s helped some but I see from this message above that I need to add it into his skin and hair.
Thank you we will be trying it this way also.
Susan