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I've read that sprinkling garlic powder on the dog's food will act as a natural flea repellent. I haven't had to try it yet, but I've confirmed with a friend or two that this is safe and effective.

thanks, della! that's true, but there is this one caution:

"Concerns that garlic is toxic for Cats and Dogs:

There are studies which claim that garlic can be toxic to dogs and cats. Garlic contains thiosulphate, which can cause Heinz factor anemia or hemolytic anemia. This condition could cause circulating blood cells to burst. There is a large amount of controversy whether garlic contains enough thiosulphate to be a concern. The key is to introduce the garlic to your pet’s diet slowly and only feed the animals small amounts daily. If you follow these guidelines the benefits greatly outweigh the risks. Begin with a ¼ of the full dose and increase slowly. Watch your pet closely for any unusual behavior. Symptoms of hemolytic anemia can develop in a few hours or up to a few days. These symptoms include: diarrhea, loss of appetite, weakness, depression and vomiting. If anemia progresses, the dog’s urine could show red pigment from damaged blood cells."

i got this from a website selling garlic for pets. always good to know all sides of things!

For cats Johnson's No More Tears Baby Shampoo. Washing cats can be a trip

Dogs Head & Shoulders works good...

that's good to know, john. but washing cats.....you must know what vindictive little monsters they can be when you piss them off like that. ;-)

I have a strange cat he likes to take a bath.We started hem when he was still new,now he is an older fort now...

I will get a pic of it for yaul later need batteries lol...

PEACE

Yikes! Thanks for the warning, RoseBear! See? I should have researched that more, and not just trusted word of mouth and one measly website.

Well, heck...I thought I was helping out. Uhhh...good luck with that flea problem. Wish I could help!

I have two dogs, and we haven't had any flea issues for the two years we've owned them. The only thing I really do is use dog shampoo with Tea Tree Oil in it. I'm a Tea Tree Oil fanatic, so if I see that as an ingredient on a product, I buy it.

della--i probably would not have as much of a problem with fleas if it wasnt for the one cat who goes outside. then again, my one dog is part husky and he has a really dense under coat and it gives the fleas a really good place to hide.

in the past, i gave other dogs i have had (now deceased from old age not garlic anemia!) a product that was brewer's yeast and garlic, i fed them that for many years. they never got the garlic anemia problem. i think it is like the chocolate thing with dogs, a matter of proportions, body weight of the dog in proportion to how much of it they ingest.