Learn how to use products already in your home to create bug treatments for your dog.
Even our four-legged friends can be sensitive to chemicals and that is why Dr. Susan Mooney, of Safari Veterinarian Care Center, decided to make her own line of pet products. The really cool thing – people can use the products too!
Caution: Some of the products are NOT recommended for cats.
RECIPES
Soothing Oatmeal Bath
You will need:
- Cheesecloth – One 12″ square (plus string to tie, or you can recycle knee-high stocking/panty hose)
- 2 cups of old–fashioned oatmeal
- 1 tablespoon lavender or chamomile flowers (optional)
- Blender, coffee grinder or smoothie maker
Directions:
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Grind the oatmeal into a fine powder – this will take about 1 minute.
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Place the ground oatmeal onto the cheesecloth and add the herbs if using them.
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Tie the cloth tightly.
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Place the bag of oatmeal under running water and soak the pet for at least 10 minutes.
Flea Repelling Spray
This contains essential oils with insect repelling properties.
You will need:
- 8 oz spray bottle, the bottle must be dark glass or plastic.
- Small funnel
- 7 oz distilled water
- 5 ml (1 teaspoon) vegetable glycerin
- 5 ml (1 teaspoon) sulfated castor oil
- 15 ml (1 tablespoon) ethyl alcohol or vodka
- 4 drops lavender oil
- 4 drops clary sage
- 4 drops citronella
- 8 drops peppermint
- 4 drops lemon oil
Directions:
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Mix all the ingredients together in the spray bottle.
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To use: Shake the bottle well and spray bedding, then spray for 5 to 10 seconds over the dog, avoiding the eyes.
Hot Spot Ointment
This contains a mixture of vegetable and essential oils with potent anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-fungal and healing properties. It can be used for hot spots, acute moist dermatitis, insect bites, scratches and works very well on mosquito bites for people.
You will need:
- Hot water
- Small mixing bowl
- Small dark colored glass jars or recycled cosmetic containers
- 6 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon neem oil
- 1 tablespoon rosehip oil
- 1ml Vitamin E
- 3 drops chamomile (roman) essential oil
- 12 drops geranium oil
- 3 drops labdanum oil
- 6 drops lavender oil
- 6 drops ravensare oil
- 6 drops rosewood oil
- 6 drops white thyme oil
Directions:
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Place the jar of coconut oil in the hot water until it becomes liquid.
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Place the mixing bowl over a slightly larger bowl containing hot water; to keep the oils liquid during the mixing phase.
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Add all the ingredients and stir thoroughly.
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Pour the mixture into small dark glass jars and refrigerate. This will extend the shelf-life and make the ointment more soothing.
It will be a very soft ointment at room temperature. If a firmer ointment is preferred, add a small amount of beeswax at the mixing stage.