Combat Doggy Odor and Repel Fleas at the Same Time

We had Afghan Hounds before topical flea medications were invented, and because one minute of furious scratching could ruin a years worth of show coat, I did some pretty weird things to keep the fleas away. I wasn't into standard pesticide dips , knowing even then how harmful they are to dogs, humans, and the environment and so I tried a variety of homemade solutions to keep my showdogs flea free.

For example, I used to grow flea repelling herbs like pennyroyal, rue, and garlic and put them in little muslin bags and tie them onto the dogs' collars...mostly that just kept the vampires away....

But the best homemade flea repellant was made using citrus rinds, orange, lemon, lime, even grapefruit and packing the rinds very tightly into a mason jar, covering the rinds with water and setting the jar into the sun for 3 weeks, shaking occasionally.

Then I put the scented water into a glass spray bottle and sprayed the dogs everytime we went somewhere I thought they could pick up fleas.

The best part was they smelled divine, no doggy odor and on rainy days, damp Afghan Hound coat can really smell.

These days I am lazy and since my neighbor wholesales essential oils I get an organic essential orange oil from her and mix 30 drops in one ounce of vodka, mix with 8oz. spring water and put in a glass spray bottle.

If you read this blog you know I like to use lavender spray alot, but it is kind of girly so I often use this organic orange oil spray as a dog cologne for Puff. It keeps him smelling super fresh and I prefer it to store bought colognes, not only is it much cheaper, but I know exactly what I am spraying on him.

A Cautionary Garden Tip for You and Your Dog

Today,in honor of Earth Day, Puff and I hung out together and did some gardening. It got me to thinking about the dangers of pesticides and herbicides that your dog can encounter.
A few years ago, my neighbor called the city health department and requested free mosquito spray for her yard. Puff and I took a walk past her house shortly afterwards. His fluffy coat brushed the ornamental Monkey Grass she had planted along the walk...
..the next morning there were small, dead and dying animals all over the sidewalk, mice, squirrels,etc. My friend Mary surmised it must have been from the city mosquito spray. A couple hours later Puff showed signs of being very ill and after rushing to the vet, I asked him to do a blood panel and look for pesticides.
Puff's bloodwork came back positive for the mosquito spray....my complaint to the city fell on deaf ears as they said the pesticide was pet safe....obviously it wasn't since now before they spray, they warn people to put the pets in the house for a few hours.
Puff recovered at considerable expense with no liver damage, but in our case, we were able to know what pesticide we were dealing with enabling the vet to act promptly.
Your dog can be exposed to pesticides and herbicides in a variety of places outside of your own garden,even the dog park gets sprayed from time to time. Heavy rains often wash lawn fertilizer and weed killers onto the sidewalk where you and your dog walk.If you suspect that your dog may have walked in such chemicals immediately wash his/her feet in a mix of baking soda and water, the baking soda will often neutralize the acid effects of the chemical. Use at least 1 cup baking soda to 2 cups water. If you think your dog may have ingested some, call the ASPCA Poison Control Center at 1-(888)426-4435.
Remember, always use caution in the garden when your dog is present and if you can, go organic, it is better for you both, just don't let him pee on the peppers...