Fleas and ticks are a major issue for pets, especially cats and dogs. Fleas can cause anemia in your pet, spread tapeworms to your pet’s food source, and even carry diseases like plague. Ticks can also transmit Lyme disease, which is a bacterium that causes arthritis-like symptoms, fever, headache, confusion or memory loss.

These parasites seem to be everywhere these days. So how do you protect your pets from these pesky pests?

1. Rosemary

In addition to deterring fleas with its strong scent of pine needles and thyme, this plant is an effective bug repellent. You can dry rosemary and mix it with water to make a spray, or you can use essential oil in your pet’s collar (dilute the rosemary oil first). Mix about 20 drops of essential oil made out of this plant into half a cup of distilled witch hazel, add to a spray bottle, and fill the rest of the bottle with filtered water. You can use this mixture to spray your pet’s coat to prevent them from picking up fleas or ticks. Dried or fresh rosemary sprigs can also be placed around your house to prevent ticks from making themselves at home. It is important to note that you should use caution with rosemary oil if your cat has epilepsy, as the oil can aggravate this condition.

2. Catnip

This is one of the most popular herbal remedies for repelling fleas. For cats, place about 1/4 cup of dried leaves inside your cat’s favourite toy. You can also spray catnip essential oil on areas where your cat often suffers from fleas. First dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil, and then apply. Cat owners should also avoid using products that contain nepetalactone because cats will be attracted to the smell of the plant.

3. Chamomile

This plant can be used to repel all types of insects, not just fleas and ticks. It can also help your pet relax, which is very important if your pet is irritated because of these pests. Try adding dry flowers to your pet’s bed, or diffusing chamomile essential oil nearby.

4. Fleawort or plantain

Fleawort is a small plant with purple flowers that is easy to find in most areas of the world, making it a very popular remedy for dogs with fleas. It can be made into tea for your pet to drink, or you can also use the topical oil on their coat. Apply diluted essential oil of plantain by mixing one tablespoon plantain essential oil with one cup olive, coconut, almond, castor, jojoba or avocado oil. Use a more diluted mixture if your dog weighs less than 20lbs. Fleawort can also be dried and rubbed onto your pet’s coat.

5. Lavender

This is one of the most well-known essential oils for fleas that repels them at all stages in their life cycle. It also helps with anxiety in pets if they are irritated or nervous because of these pesky parasites. Apply diluted lavender essential oil to your pet’s collar or treat their bed with dried flowers. You can also diffuse lavender essential oil in the air around your home.

Pets can bring us a lifetime of joy, and we want to take care of them as well as possible! These natural remedies are easy to implement, making them the perfect choice for pet owners. However, if natural options aren’t effective enough for your pet, consult your veterinarian for further treatment advice.