Fleas, bug off
Flowers are blossoming, the air smells fresh, and daylight lasts longer. Oh how we love spring. Unfortunately, so do fleas. And chances are if Fido is scratching like crazy, he might just be the new host to an infestation of fleas. With fleas in mind, we’ve got the vibe on toxins in flea repellants and a natural way to get them off your dog’s back.
How to best avoid fleas
First step is prevention and the best thing to do with your dog is to give him regular baths with a normal pet shampoo at home or at the ‘puppy spaw’, and regularly wash the bedding in hot water. Use a flea comb too. If your dog likes to off-road in the bush while hiking, check between the toes, base of the tail, and around the ears. Other ways to avoid fleas include regularly vacuuming the carpet as it will help eliminate any hidden flea eggs.
Adios fleas
According to Greenpeace, if your dog is infested with fleas, you can wash him with soap and water, dry him, and then use a nice-and-easy-to-make herbal rinse. To make the rinse, add one-half cup of dried or fresh rosemary to one litre of boiling water. Steep for 20 minutes, strain, and then cool. Next, spray or sponge onto your dog and allow him to air dry. Your dog needs to be dry before going outside.
Chemicals to avoid
Did you know that certain flea and tick treatments you buy in the store can be toxic for both your pet and you? Flea collars have been known to contain high levels of pesticides, which can remain on your dog’s fur for weeks after the collar is put on him. According to Green Paws, avoid flea collars and other flea and tick products that contain tetrachlorvinphos, propoxur, permethrin, amitraz, and fenoxycarb. If you need to use a chemical to control fleas, Green Paws suggests that the safest option is in a pill as pills usually contain the least amount of toxic chemicals. For a complete list of safer tick and flea treatments and chemicals to avoid and ones that are OK, check out this handy Green Paws pocket guide.
Drool worthy events . . .
Sustainable living expo
Leave your furry friend at home, and find out all you need to know about living green in Vancouver at EPIC: The Vancouver Sustainable Living Expo, Friday, May 8 to Sunday, May 10, the new Vancouver Convention Centre. Check out some dog-related exhibitors including 4 paws bakery, and Kaliwags.
Stone Soup Festival
Celebrate the global food community with the Stone Soup Festival, Saturday, May 9, noon to 5 p.m., Britannia Community Centre grounds, 1661 Napier St. at Commercial Drive in Vancouver. Enjoy food, art, music, and much more.
Farmers’ markets
It’s that time of year when you can take your dog shopping with you! Outdoor farmers’ markets are starting to sprout up this weekend. Here’s a list of a few:
- Saturday, May 9, it’s the kick off of the Haney Farmers’ Market, which will run every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., until Oct. 10, in Memorial Peace Park, Maple Ridge. Visit www.haneyfarmersmarket.org for more information.
- Enjoy the riches of the Fraser Valley at the Abbotsford Farm and Country Market, Saturday, May 9, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Montrose north of George Ferguson Way. Market will run Saturdays until early October.
- Saturday, May 9, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., drop by the Mission City Farmers Market, Lane Creek Park (beside the library on 2nd Avenue) in Mission.
- Once again the Moss Street Community Market is set up for business. The market runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., every Saturday – rain or shine – until Oct. 31, at the Sir James Douglas school yard, the corner of Moss Street and Fairfield Road, Victoria.
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