by Darcia Helle

Created on: May 01, 2009

Summer weather brings cookouts and pool parties, vacations and long sunny days. For pet owners, summer also brings fleas. These little creatures are incredibly resilient and difficult to get rid of. Contrary to popular belief, they spend most of their time in the environment, not on the host they are feeding from. This fact alone explains why they can persist relentlessly, despite the best and most expensive treatments.

A flea can jump 100 times its own height, which makes them adventurous and almost impossible to catch. One female can produce as many as 20,000 eggs in just a 3 month period. These eggs can be hiding anywhere in your home. Your sofa, your dog's bed, and the carpet are all wonderful spots from the flea's perspective. You may have gotten rid of the fleas from your dog and consequently believe you're safe. However, those pesky eggs can take anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks to hatch. Before you know it, you may find your dog and your home infested once again.

Conventional flea treatments can be useful, though they are not always enough. The typical flea treatment does nothing to ward off fleas. They actually have to bite before they are killed by the toxin. For some dogs, all it takes is one bite to promote an allergic attack.

The treatments applied to lawns and inside homes are often dangerous to both humans and pets. And it often doesn't work. Fleas, like many pesky insects, adapt to our chemicals and thrive despite them.

Many dog owners know that one dog may have no problem with fleas, while another in the same household will chew itself to pieces. Often the problem lies with the dog's immune system. As with humans a weaker immune system makes allergens much harder to fight off. Strengthening your dog's immune system can help combat the allergic reaction to fleas.

A dog with an allergy or strong reaction to fleas may greatly benefit from essential fatty acid (EFA) supplements. The Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids found in fish and vegetable oils are vital in fighting off your dog's immune response to flea saliva. This supplemental oil can easily be added to your dog's food each day.

Probiotics have been known to help support the immune system of dogs with allergies. Probiotics are natural digestive enzymes that assist in regulating the digestive and immune system. The powder can be added to food or the capsule can be given directly by mouth.

A small amount of apple cider vinegar added to your dog's water dish may help keep the fleas away.

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