I just wanted to put my 0.2c in, I haven't read the whole thread so I apologize if I repeat anything. Bath him, comb as many out as posible and CRUSH the fleas as you take them out of the fur. They can swim and will come back up the plug hole! Use a flea shampoo if possible or some dog groomers do flea bath treatments.
I would use... Programme it's a pill you can get from the vet that makes the female flea infertile! That way if any do hatch, when they die the eggs will not hatch out!
I use advocate to kill the adult ones, I'm sorry but I don't rate frontline, it's been so over used the fleas have become imune to it! I also use another wormer every 3 months. I used to have a flea issue but since I moved house, I've never had one since. I dont' flea mine in the winter months, I start in Febuary (however I started early this year as my dogs are going to be kenneled for 2 nights in the middle of feb).
Casper pills work too, they make the fleas fall off the dog.
Hope that helps.

I've read that garlic can be toxic to dogs, I know its on the ASPCA's poison list. I use Advantix II and I love it. I live out in East Texas with plenty of trees around, with a total of 7 (yes 7) dogs on the property (not including mine). (I live with my boyfriend's family, they have over the years aquired dogs from other family members for the most part, 2 came from his grandmother that passed, 3 came from his aunt, one was a pup they had and kept, 1 was a shelter adoption) They don't always get the flea preventative they need(mine does), but I've NEVER had an issue with fleas or ticks on Diesel(And he stays outside during the day). As with starting any kind of new flea medicine though I do recommend keeping an extreme eye on your dog for 48 hours....

Huh, I wonder if my dog food has it... In either case, Advantix II gets my vote, I did happen to miss Diesel's dose for this month because I'm out of money until the 7th, still no fleas. It's supposed to kill them for 60 days, and ticks 30 days. I also love that it repels mosquitoes... more indirect heartworm prevention on top of the interceptor. Lol.

Apple Cider Vinegar: I take it that is put in food? How much and how often?

Garlic: How much, style (powder/fresh/minced), often?

Thanks for your help.
I got the oils today except the store didn't have Rose Geranium oil.

ACV - I give 1 tbsp every other day to my adult 50 lb sibe, you could give it daily if you prefer.

Garlic - I give about 1/16th tsp every other day mixed with my adult sibe's food. Some people give garlic daily.

I personally alternate between ACV and garlic each day and it works for us. My dogs never have parasites and their bloodwork always comes back normal.

Awesome, thanks!! I am staring Cali on it and my sis in law his considering it for her dogs depending on how Cali does with it.

thanks for the holistic tips, Val! I'm so happy about that!

I have two of those oils already...def going to try that out!

No problem! I hope they work for others as well as they've worked for us.

Val, maybe you could start a holistic sticky thread? That would be fabulous!

Problem with that is with all the holistic things you can do it would span several different forums. That's primarily why I highly recommend taking pets to good holistic vets. When you find a good one, stick with them. Heck, I'm still managing to take my dogs to my old holistic vet in FL from before we moved to SC...6.5 hours away! Oh course for emergencies I have a local back up vet.

I live in South Texas, where it is near impossible to keep ALL fleas off of my dogs. I have have discovered the wonderful use of lavender oil.

It is completely safe and natural. You just put it on their skin like the frontline once a week and it will repell all of the fleas. I don't know that they will get RID of the the current fleas, but it will stop them from hatching and repel all future fleas.

As for actual flea medication, I use Trifexus and it has worked wonderfully. I use the lavender oil as a back up but none of my dogs have fleas, and they have been around dogs that were infested with fleas and ticks (we rescued a pup).

Maybe that will help give you a natural option?

Essential oils should not be applied directly to the skin to prevent drying and irritation. I recommend placing a drop on their harness, collar, and/or bedding as an alternative and it's just as effective without doing any harm to their skin.

Thank for the info.. I have not had any issues with oils and I use various kinds but I will definitely take that into consideration.

Thanks Valerie! My mom was gonna buy the flea collars to day, but I asked her to hold off cause I remembered this thread and asked her if she would try oils instead. She said yes! :]
Plus, I hate the smell of flea collars

Okay, so I am seeing a trend to many people using oils for flea and tick prevention. My questions would be, what brand are y'all using and where did y'all order it from? I use Amazon to order everything so that is where I would be getting it. Plus with us having to pay taxes on all stuff we buy on Amazon is going to put a damper on my purchases soon.