Can you believe it is February and we are talking about bugs?! As happy as I am for an early spring, I am not thrilled that I have already had my first mosquito bite! With that said, it is time to make sure our pups are protected from all the creepy crawly things!  This recipe will keep the fleas away but will also help to repel spiders and mosquitoes.  This is a great weapon to help guard your home as well.  I sprinkle this on my dogs once a month or after every bath, which ever comes first.  I also put this around my house.  I sprinkle this everywhere from doorways to mattresses.

The recipe I use was taken from http://www.primallyinspired.com/homemade-flea-powder-repellent/#.  I have used this for a couple of years now and have NEVER had fleas.  I switched my dogs to this because I had fleas take over my pack 3 years ago AFTER being treated with veterinarian recommended flea treatment. I have also one of my dogs have an adverse reaction after given the flea medication.  I have learned so much about all the toxins and harmful ingredients in these meds.  To read more about these possible side effects, please feel free to visit: Mercola, Petmd, Dogs Naturally Magazine.

Ingredients:

1 cup FOOD GRADE Diatomaceous Earth

1/2 cup NEEM Powder

1/2 cup Yarrow Powder

20 drops THERAPEUTIC GRADE essential oils (Eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, peppermint, etc) **Original recipe just calls for eucalyptus, which is great but you can really research and use your own combination of oils.  IF YOU HAVE CATS DO NOT USE OILS.

Directions:

Combine all ingredients together and store in a container like a mason jar.  I triple this recipe and store it in a large mason jar and refill small spice containers with shaker tops.  I put one of the spice containers on every floor of the house and in the dogs bathing supplies.  I sprinkle this down their backs and rub into their coats.  I sprinkle some on my hand to rub on their bellies and hard to sprinkle areas 😉  You will notice that after initial application, your pet will feel a little grimy but that fades away quickly.

CONGRATULATIONS you are now flea free NATURALLY! 🙂

Q & A:

Q: How often should you clean your dog’s bowls?

A: EVERYDAY.  If you feed wet food or raw food you should clean after each meal.  If you are feeding dry food you should try to wash bowls daily.

Q: What about the water bowl?

A: At least once a week.  If you are in a multi dog home, clean the water bowl DAILY.

WHY??

We are all guilty of refilling that water bowl day after day.  We all feed our pups and simply put the bowls away until the next feeding time. AND WE ALL HAVE FELT THE NASTY SLIME BUILD UP ON OUR PET’S BOWL.

What is that “nasty slime”? It is called biofilm.  Biofilm is a collection of bacteria.  Some good and some bad bacteria.  When I say “bad bacteria” I am talking about serious bacteria like E. Coli and Listeria. (YUCK!) Just throw a raw chicken breast in your dog’s bowl!

Has your pet has been experiencing reoccurring bladder and/ or ear infections, UTI’s, etc? Take a look at your dog’s bowls.  This biofilm not only lives on surfaces but also our guts.  Biofilm is like glue, that is why it can be hard to remove.  Imagine removing it from your pet’s insides!

Bowl Cleaning 101:

Option 1: Simply put your dogs bowls in the dishwasher and put it on the sanitary cycle.  You don’t even need to add soap.  The hot water will kill that bacteria and rinse the slim away.  If you do add soap, please choose a non toxic detergent or add a half cup of vinegar to the bottom of the dishwasher.

Option 2: Place your bowls in the sink with vinegar water and a non toxic dish soap. (I make my own dish soap out of Sal Suds, water and essential oils)  Let the bowls soak for 10-20 min and rinse with hot water.  ***NOTE: Keep in mind you just rinsed bacteria down your drain.  Take a minute and clean your sink well so you do not cross contaminate.

What to know more?

Dog’s Naturally Article

How to clean your bowls

Huffington Post

Winter is upon us!

Bring on the cold and cracked feet and paws….UGH!  No worries, I have just the cure!  This salve with cure what ails ya!  Safe for 2 legged and 4 legged pads 😉

This is also great for minor scrapes, bruises, etc.  I also suffer from cracked hands through this “wonderful season”.  I use this under my lotion in the evening for relief from my dry skin.  Trust me, your knuckles and cuticles will thank you!

So enjoy the season or fight your way through it (like me).  Either way, use this recipe to make it a little more manageable!

ULTRA HEALING SALVE:

2 oz dried ground herbs (Comfrey, Calendula and Yarrow)

1/2 cup coconut oil

1/4 oz beeswax

Combine herbs and coconut oil in jar and place in crock pot.  Fill pot half way up jar with water.  Turn on low with lid off for 24-48 hours.  When the oil is has taken on the color of the herbs you will know that the oil is infused with all the goodness from the herbs. Strain your oil using a fine mesh lined with cheesecloth.  Add beeswax and put oil and wax back into crockpot until wax is melted.  Remove from heat. VOLA! you have successfully made your ultra healing salve!

Why did I choose these ingredients?

Comfrey: Comfrey relieves pain and inflammation caused by injuries and degeneration, especially the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It is wonderful for just about any skin irritation on both you and your dog. ***use caution when using internally.  Should not be used if pregnant or nursing***

Calendula: Calendula salve is very effective when treating minor cuts, insect bites, and abrasions. It offers soothing relief while its antimicrobial and wound healing properties speed up the healing of the wound.

Yarrow: 

Yarrow is used for a number of applications, including as an antiseptic, analgesic, an expectorant, anti-inflammatory, and even an insect repellent. It also is great for stopping bleeding. It’s been known to help deep cuts heal with little to no scarring and can help the flesh even and connect after puncture wounds.

Coconut Oil: 

According to Dogs Naturally Magazine:

• Clears up skin conditions such as eczema, flea allergies, contact dermatitis,and itchy skin
• Reduces allergic reactions and improves skin health
• Makes coats become sleek and glossy, and deodorizes doggy odor
• Prevents and treats yeast and fungal infections, including candida
• Disinfects cuts and promotes wound healing
• Applied topically, promotes the healing of cuts, wounds, hot spots, dry skin and hair, bites and stings

Beeswax:

Heals sores, moisturizing, soothing to cracked skin/paws

BATH TIME!
Mixing up a new batch of shampoo for the pups.
1 cup Castile soap
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 T coconut oil
3-4 drops essential oils (optional)

Ingredient info/benefits:

Castile soap: all natural,  non toxic, gentle cleanser  (read more about all the incredible uses: Dr Axe-Castile Soap)

Apple cider vinegar: natural flea/bug repellent  (who doesn’t want that?!), improves growth and condition of coat, natural antibiotic, and soooo much more! (Visit: Whole Dog Journal-ACV)

Coconut oil: moisturizing, healing, minimizes dog odor (ummm, yes please!) For more info: Dogs Naturally Magazine-Coconut Oil

Essential oils: so many oils to choose from!  Please be cautious with oils and watch your dog for sensitivities.  Go to this link for further info: Mercola-EO

Helpful Tip:

I use my Norwex pet bathing mit and towel.  LOVE IT!!! So much lather…makes the shampoo go a lot further and the towel soooo absorbant.  I am sure you know a sales person but if not let me know…I have a great friend that will help you get a set!

What is a Class B Dealer? According to the Humane Society’s fact sheet, they are dealers licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to acquire dogs and cats from “random sources” to sell them to universities and other research institutions for use in experiments. In contrast, Class A dealers can only sell animals they have bred themselves. “Bunchers” are people (everyday people) that pick up pets for online (“free to good home”, etc) or out right STEALING THEM from unsuspecting people.  This is how they make money! They sell these dogs and cats for a small fee to a kennel and the kennel supplies these animals to area universities and animal testing facilities.  (AAAAHHHH!!!) Your job is to steal dogs and prey on families that are faced with the very difficult choice to give up their family pet?!  What?! The reports of the living conditions of these pets are devastating.  (CLICK HERE  for more info about Bunchers and how you can stop this practice!!!)

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Some folks answering the “Free to Good Home” ads really are loving, responsible pet owners. Many–perhaps even most–are not. There are steps YOU can take to help end abuse:

DON’T advertise Free pets; DO convince others not to. Some people even take the time to phone owners of pets advertising Free to Good Home and warn them of the dangers.

DO spay/neuter to keep from creating possible Free to Good Home situations or condemning your pet to a short, miserable life in a puppy mill.

DO write letters to the editors of your local newspapers warning of the dangers of Free to Good Home.

DO contact breed rescue organizations (there is one for every breed of pure-bred dog!) or local animal welfare organizations for help in placing unwanted pets; if you bought the pet from a responsible breeder, he/she will help you rehome the pet.

DO charge at least $25 to discourage resale of pets to labs. (Some sources suggest charging no less than $100 for pure-bred dogs.)

DO take the time to interview every prospective owner. Ask for vet and personnel references, and check them, then visit the new home where your pet might be living!

DO write a letter to your congressmen in support of doing away with Class B dealers, who sell animals obtained from “random sources” to research facilities. Random sources include strays, stolen pets, seized shelter animals, animals purchased at flea markets–and pets found through “Free to good home” ads.

DO report any incidence of suspected dog-fighting to police, Animal Control, and your local Humane Society. DON’T try to stop these people yourselves; there is a lot of money involved here, and you could be putting yourself and your pets at risk if you try to intervene alone.

DO call police, animal welfare workers, even the health department, if someone in your area seems to be “collecting” cats or dogs

DO write to district attorneys, judges, and prosecutors if you hear of the arrest of any so-called collectors in your area, and urge them not only to prosecute to the full extent of the law, but also to mandate psychological counseling for these individuals in the hopes of avoiding repeat violations.

DO call police or animal welfare workers for any incidences of suspected abuse. Be willing to testify in court, if necessary. Note: what constitutes animal abuse is defined by state law. If your state has inadequate abuse laws, TRY TO CHANGE THEM! 

***taken from dogsonly.org***

So why am I talking about all of this? Well there has been a few dogs in the area that have seemingly been taken right out of driveways and yards.  I have been so upset by this and it got me wondering why would some one do that? I had never heard of this Class B crap and the more I learn the more angry I become.  The only “good news” is that as of 2016 these Class B licenses will not be renewed.  The LCA (Last Chance for Animals), has been trying to put a stop to this for many years. (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE) The documented abuse and neglect allegations are appalling.  So many kennels were investigated, brought up on charges and simply paid their fines and continued on.  Reading this article brought tears to my eyes as I learned of a kennel only an hour away from me, that TERRORIZES animals everyday.  They still have an active license but will not be able to renew this year.  More has to be done to protect our FAMILY MEMBERS, our pets!  A microchip and tag attached to a collar is not effective….obviously.  We have to continue to be a voice for the voiceless.  Stand up and take action against people that hurt animals and push back on our government when they have laws in place to protect the criminals that hurt our babies.

Please read these articles and pass on this post.  Education is power.  Power leads to action.  That action may lead to the solution.

Thank you for being apart of the solution.

Lavender

• relaxing
• soothing for skin irritations
• antibacterial astringent
• anti itch
• tick repellent

Lavender recipes:

Tick repellent-Mix olive oil, Saint John’s Wort infused oil  and lavender oil together and massage on affected areas to help ticks drop off.

Diffuse lavender essential oil to calm your anxious pet.

Homemade Calming Treats

My favorite dog shampoo: 1 cup Castile soap, 1 T Coconut oil,  1/4 cup raw apple cider vinegar, 2-3 drops lavender essential oil

Mix a drop or two with fractionated coconut oil and rub on hot spots, insect bites or apply to pads of feet for calming effect.

Add a few drops to a water bottle and spray on bedding to help with kennel training and sleeping.

Lemongrass

• antiseptic
• pain reliever
• effective in treating cancer (!!!)
• insect repellent
• cleansing (Both internal and household)-it can actually suppress and kill bacteria in our bodies and in our home

Lemongrass recipes:

Kill your pet’s fleas and lice by spraying diluted lemongrass essential oil all over his coat. You can also soak his collar in it for a natural flea collar, add it to his final rinse after shampooing, or spray it on his bedding.

Plant lemongrass in your garden to keep the bugs(fleas, ticks, spiders, bed bugs and more!) away and backyards smelling great! (non toxic)

Lemon Balm

• neutralizes gas in the belly and intestines
• calming
• deodorizing
• muscle relaxer
• insect repelling
• disinfecting
• reduces depression and agitation(separation anxiety suffers pay attention to this one!)
• helps senior dogs suffering from cognitive dysfunction (!!)
• effectively treats ringworm
• sleep issues

Lemon Balm Recipes

CLICK HERE for a long list of great tips on how to use this amazing plant!

Plant it in your garden but use caution as it can grow like a weed and take over your garden.

Diffuse the essential oil for calming and cleansing!

Citronella

• bug repellent
• dog repellent…yup, that is what I said.  Plant this in your garden and dogs stay out of your garden bed….well they stay away from that area;)

So plant this around your campfire area to keep the bugs off you and your pet and plant in your garden where you would like to keep pets out of.  This is not meant for consumption as large doses can pose a problem.  Many folks use citronella in correction collars.  I do not condone these types of collars as the repeated use and continued exposure has shown some side effects.

Now that you know about some of the dog friendly plants that are safe for your garden, here is a list of some UNSAFE and TOXIC plants to keep out of your gardens.  Keep your pets safe and HAPPY GARDENING!