Fleas and ticks, beware! We're about to turn the tables on you! Fleas and ticks are external parasites that can cause a range of health problems in pets, including itching, skin irritation, and even transmission of diseases. Prevention and prompt treatment are crucial to protect your pet's health. Learn why your conventional vet's approach using heavily advertised pills, topicals, injections, and collars containing neurotoxins is so risky and even deadly.
If you live in an area prone to ticks, you should have some BOIRON LEDUM PALUSTRE 200c on hand for tick-borne disease prevention. Purchase it at a vitamin store that carries homeopathic remedies or online.
It is used by homeopathic doctors to prevent Lyme disease.
Dawn detergent should not be used to wash your dog or repel fleas. Dawn is toxic.
Proctor Gamble (the manufacturer of Dawn) advises pet owners to NOT use this on dogs or cats. They contain toxins and carcinogens.
PROJECT SUDZ ORGANIC FLEA & TICK SHAMPOO and PROJECT SUDZ FLEA & TICK SPRAY are much safer alternatives. Also, use PROJECT SUDZ DISH SOAP to clean their bowls. 10% off with coupon code: savingpets.
Safe alternatives provided below. Keep reading.
A species appropriate raw or gently cooked diet is not attractive to fleas and will help deter them.
Fleas and ticks are external parasites that can cause a range of health problems in dogs, including itching, skin irritation, and even transmission of diseases. Prevention and prompt treatment are crucial to protect your dog's health.
Key information about fleas and ticks on dogs…
PREVENTION
TREATMENT
“Garlic for Dogs – Health Benefits, Preparation, Use, Safe Dosage” by Dr. Karen Rosenfeld.
“Protecting Your Pets from Parasites: A Holistic Guide to Fleas, Ticks & Heartworms” book from Dr. Judy Morgan, 2025 Holistic Veterinarian of the Decade.
Common Conditions Diagnosed After Use of Flea/Tick/Heartworm Meds
Side effect can occur immediately or may manifest several months later after several dosages. These products can cause death within 24 hours or less. Your dog or cat may be diagnosed with one or more of the following:
Dr. Judy Morgan (2025 Holistic Veterinarian of the Decade): “Side Effects from Common Flea and Tick Products.”
Safe for our pets but unsafe for us to touch for 28 days after application… Hmmm??? Huh??? Wait… What???
The use of ivermectin is not advised due to the presence of numerous risks and unknown variables that warrant testing before any usage. Ivermectin is a widely utilized active pharmaceutical ingredient in several heartworm treatments and “preventatives;” however, it is also employed “off-label” for the management of various other parasitic infections. Certain dog breeds exhibit heightened sensitivity to ivermectin, which can lead to toxic and potentially lethal outcomes. It is noteworthy that ivermectin possesses the capability to traverse the blood-brain barrier.
Certain canine breeds exhibit a propensity for a genetic mutation identified as MDR1. This mutation is predominantly observed in herding breeds, such as Collies, Australian Shepherds, and Shetland Sheepdogs, resulting in heightened sensitivity to ivermectin and other medications, increasing the risk of neurotoxic effects. This mutation has also been documented in cats. Clinical signs of ivermectin toxicity may encompass mydriasis, ataxia, tremors, ocular impairment, lethargy, and in critical cases, progression to coma or mortality. Preemptive testing for this mutation is imperative prior to the administration of any products containing ivermectin. Therefore, we just cannot risk recommending ivermectin on this site.
Even Consumer Care at Dawn strongly advises against bathing your pets in Dawn. Read for yourself.
Safer options include:
Dawn is also not safe to use to wash your pets bowl. We recommend using vinegar and water or PROJECT SUDZ DISH SOAP (10% coupon: savingpets).
When using commercially available chemicals for pest control, detoxing is an effective and proactive approach to minimize the potential side effects. Liver support is key since the liver filters toxins from the blood. Find out more on our pages dedicated to detoxing and vaccination detox protocol.
Why does my dog seem worse when detoxing? Have you experienced this? In many cases, this is a normal part of the cleansing process. Check out this helpful Sirius Dog article for more insights.
We recommend you pick one product from each of these categories (Repellent Sprays/Shampoo, Supplements, Environmental Treatments & Collars). See the graphic for your country below. Also, Rita Hogan, The Canine Herbalist offers an All Natural Dog Tick Masterclass for a fee.
If you live in a tropical climate and find these are not working, you should resort to using Advantix, Frontline or Vectra Puppy if you have no other choice and detox regularly.
Got fleas in your house? Here's a helpful tip. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is key! Cleaning carpets for fleas depends on your carpets and the weather. We spray our rugs and dog bedding with a mix of 1/2 ACV and water with a few drops of essential oils added. For hardwood floors I use very hot water with salt dissolved in it and vinegar to mop them. You can sprinkle straight salt around the baseboards and leave for a couple of days and then vacuum up. Steam cleaning is used by many as the heat kills the larvae and fleas. The salt destroys the eggs. I also use vinegar in the final rinse when I wash bedding. I give my dogs a final rinse of 1/2 ACV and water when they have a bath and let them dry naturally.
Nematodes
Beneficial nematodes can be used to kill flea larvae in your yard. Remember, the squirrels, rabbits, mice, and other small critters outside can be harbingers of fleas. Nematodes will not survive in hot, sunny areas of the lawn, but the fleas and ticks do not like those areas either. So spread these little guys in the shady, moist areas where the fleas and ticks are most likely to be found.
Aromatic Support
Essential oils release naturally occurring plant compounds that help discourage insects while offering a fresh, calming aroma for both dogs and their surroundings. This creates a more balanced environment that pests are less drawn to. Essential oils should not be used for cats.
Gentle Topical Support (Properly Diluted)
When thoughtfully diluted with a carrier oil and water, this spray offers light skin support while helping calm irritation caused by bites or environmental exposure. It’s designed to work with the skin rather than overwhelm it.
Energetic Support
Pure essential oils also carry subtle protective qualities that can help support an animal’s energetic boundary, making the space around them less appealing to unwanted pests while promoting overall balance.
Key Benefits of This Protective Blend
Recommended Oils and Ingredients
Mix with
Shake well before each use.
Usage Tips
Ticks, the tiny enemy with the big bite. They are known to transmit various illnesses, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis. It is important to recognize the diverse species of ticks and the potential pathogens they may carry.
Dr. Judy Morgan (2025 Holistic Veterinarian of the Decade):” Dr. Judy's complimentary Vaccine, Detox and Titer Protocol digital download”.
Find a tick? Clean the area. Apply something like Manuka Honey, colloidal silver or silver honey to the area. A bump can stay there for a few days to over a month. Detox your pet for a month with milk thistle.
NATURAL HOMEOPATHY REMEDY: Ledum Palustre 200C for tick-borne disease prevention.
Boiron Ledum Palustre 200C is the foremost remedy for any kind of animal bite. It is used by homeopathic doctors to prevent lyme disease from a tick bite. With more than 85 years of expertise, Boiron is a trusted brand that prides itself on quality manufacturing and responsible environmental practices. All products are made according to the highest standards of cGMP and formulated with HPUS ingredients for purity.
Benefits and Features:
Dosage:
Day 1: 3 pellets right away. Then 3 pellets every 3 hours
Week 1: 3 pellets twice a day.
Month 1: 3 pellets twice a week.
Month 2: 3 pellets once a week.
It is important not touch the pellets as you can alter the medicinal remedy of the homeopathic medicine. Give directly from lid. NOTE: No food for 20 minutes before or after.
You can send the tick to TICKREPORT.COM and know what you are and are not potentially dealing with.
Don’t worry about the head of tick it can’t live without a body; it will come out on its own.
Lyme disease in animals can exhibit a range of symptoms, such as lameness, lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, and swollen joints. Additionally, some animals show signs like swollen lymph nodes, increased thirst and urination, and in severe cases, may even encounter kidney issues.
DID YOU KNOW THAT CBD CAN TREAT LYME DISEASE?
If your pet has ever had a reaction after a vaccine, flea or tick product, antibiotic, or medication, your experience matters more than you may realize. Holistic pet parents are often the first to notice subtle changes — digestive upset, behavior shifts, immune flares, neurological signs, or a general sense that something is “off.”
You do not need proof that a product caused the reaction. You do not need permission from a veterinarian. Reporting simply means sharing what you observed so safety patterns can be recognized and other pets can be protected.
Many adverse events go unreported, especially when symptoms are delayed or considered “mild.” When holistic pet parents speak up, those missing pieces finally get documented.
Antibiotics and other medications such as steroids, NSAIDs, seizure medications, GI drugs, and topical treatments are regulated by the FDA through its Center for Veterinary Medicine.
If your pet experienced vomiting, diarrhea, appetite loss, lethargy, anxiety, seizures, skin reactions, organ stress, or if a medication simply did not work as expected, you can report it directly.
The easiest way is through the FDA Safety Reporting Portal for animal drugs and devices. You can also start at the FDA’s animal reporting page, which explains all available options.
If you prefer to speak with someone, you can call 1-888-FDA-VETS (1-888-332-8387).
Another important step is contacting the medication’s manufacturer. Their contact information is listed on the product label or packaging, and they are legally required to forward adverse event reports to the FDA.
Vaccines are regulated differently from medications. Animal vaccines fall under the USDA, not the FDA.
If your pet had a reaction after vaccination — whether it happened immediately or weeks later — it can and should be reported.
You can report vaccine reactions through the USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics. Information and reporting options are available here.
You can also contact the USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics directly at 800-752-6255.
In addition, vaccine manufacturers should be notified. Their information is typically listed on the vaccine label or your pet’s invoice.
From a holistic perspective, it’s important to remember that vaccine reactions are not always dramatic. Digestive changes, autoimmune flare-ups, chronic itching, behavioral changes, or immune suppression that appear later still matter and are worth reporting.
Flea and tick products require special attention because they are regulated in two different ways, depending on the product.
Some flea and tick products, including many oral chewables and prescription topical medications, are regulated as animal drugs by the FDA. Reactions to these products should be reported through the same FDA channels listed above or directly to the manufacturer.
Other flea and tick products, such as many collars, sprays, powders, and some topical insecticides, are regulated as pesticides by the EPA.
If your pet had a reaction to one of these products, you can find reporting instructions here.
You may also contact the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) at 1-800-858-7378, where incidents are documented and forwarded to the EPA. When reporting, include the EPA Registration Number found on the product label whenever possible.
A few reminders for holistic pet parents: trust your observations, even if the reaction was delayed. Mild symptoms still count. You can report even if your veterinarian disagrees. Saving labels, packaging, and lot numbers can be very helpful, but they are not required.
Reporting an adverse event is not about blame or fear. It is about awareness, transparency, and advocacy. Many product warnings, label changes, and safety investigations only happen after enough pet parents speak up.
Your voice helps protect pets everywhere.
“Parasiticides⚠️Side Effects of Common Veterinary Drugs” by Dr. Judy Morgan.
“Natural Flea And Tick Remedies For Dogs and Cats” with Dr. Katie Woodley – The Natural Pet Doctor.
“Your Pet's Flea & Tick Meds Are Making Your Family Sick” by Dr. Judy Morgan.
“Natural Remedies for Fleas in Dogs and Cats” with Dr. Katie Woodley – The Natural Pet Doctor.
“Why I Discourage Simparico Trio and Other Isoxazolines-and What To Do Instead.” by Dr. Laurie Coger.
“Natural approach to treatment and prevention of tick paralysis in dogs” by Dr. Peter Tobias, DVM.
“Fleas, Ticks, Heartworm, & Parasites” by Dr. Judy Morgan; 20 videos.
“How to get rid of fleas: 9 effective ways to get rid of fleas in the house” by Lisa Joyner.
“Diatomaceous Earth is Not a Safe Supplement or Topical Treatment for Dogs and Cats” by Dr. Karen Rosenfeld.
“Injectable Bravecto Quantum aka Flea & Tick Med💉⚠️ Beware!” by Dr. Judy Morgan.
Healthy Pets are Less Likely to Get Fleas and Ticks. Here are 3 tips to improve your pet's health:
A nutritious, species-appropriate diet supports the immune system and healthy skin, which can make pets less attractive to parasites. While diet alone will not completely prevent fleas or ticks, strong overall health can help pets be more resilient and recover more quickly if exposed.
Fleas spend most of their life cycle in the environment, not on the pet. Eggs, larvae, and pupae can live in carpets, bedding, soil, and outdoor areas for weeks or even months. Successful flea control usually requires treating both the pet and the home or yard.
Pets with weakened immune systems, skin inflammation, allergies, or imbalanced microbiomes may be more attractive to parasites. Supporting gut health, skin health, and overall immune resilience can help pets be less susceptible to infestations.
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