Published: June 30, 2008 02:56 pm         

THE GREEN GODDESS: Pets go green too!

Reduce fluffy or fido's carbon pawprint

When thinking about going green, we have to think about our pets too. After all, we want them to live a safe and natural life the same as we do, don't we? After doing some research about natural flea treatments, I found that there are some conflicting reports about two popular treatments. The first, Brewers' yeast, is said to be a natural anti-flea remedy, but evidence has shown that the large amounts needed to be introduced into your pets' diet in order to be effective can be harmful to its health. There seems to be a standing argument on garlic also. Some say that garlic is a great flea remedy, makes your pet taste bad to fleas, but others say that if you feed your pet garlic on a regular basis, then you are slowly poisoning your pet. If it were my pet, I would keep the garlic and brewers' yeast off the list for flea control options.

Lemons contain limonene, a chemical that kills and repels fleas. Here's a super easy flea dip recipe I found:

1) Bring a pot of water to a boil and remove from heat

2) Add a sliced lemon and allow to steep overnight

3) Remove lemon and apply remaining liquid to your pet with a spray bottle, brush or sponge (maybe even a rinse after a bath)

4) Repeat daily

Limonene is found in the essential oils of lemons and other citrus fruits. Fleas hate the aroma of eucalyptus essential oils just as much as limonene. This recipe is a combination of several that I found, but were so similar that I combined them.

1) Combine 8 oz. water, 1/4 tsp. of eucalyptus oil and a 1/4 tsp. lemon oil and spray your house at least three times a week with this.

Wintergreen essential oils kill flea eggs as well. Make a spray of 8 oz. water and a 1/4 t. wintergreen essential oil. Spray your house once every three months to keep eggs from hatching.

Do you like giving Fido doggy treats? This is my grandma's recipe. All ingredients are organic, preservative and salt-free.

1) 1 can green beans or some shaved carrot

2) 3/4 lb. ground chicken, a small potato, enough wheat flour and oats to make a dough-type consistency (sorry, she doesn't really believe in measurements). Form into patties, or your oucld use a cookie cutter to make them cute.

3) Place onto a cookie sheet and bake at 375 for 25 minutes. Store in an airtight container.

Do you use puppy pads? Why not use last week's newspaper instead? Have a litter box? You can shred newspaper and try that alone or mix it with your every day litter to use less.