Fleas and Parasites

A Holistic Approach to Prevention & Protection

Helping Your Dog Stay Safe Naturally

At Lakewood Ranch Doodles, we believe prevention begins with supporting your dog’s overall health naturally. A strong immune system, healthy skin, proper grooming, and thoughtful environmental care can all help reduce the risk of fleas and ticks while supporting long-term wellness.

Our holistic approach focuses on gentle, preventative routines designed to help protect dogs while minimizing unnecessary chemical exposure whenever possible.

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🐾 Why Prevention Matters

Fleas and ticks are more than just a nuisance. They can cause:

• Skin irritation and itching

• Allergic reactions

• Hot spots and skin infections

• Stress and discomfort

• Tick-borne illness exposure

Regular prevention and daily awareness are especially important during warmer months and in wooded or grassy areas.

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🌱 Supporting the Skin & Immune System Naturally

A healthy dog often starts from the inside out.

At Lakewood Ranch Doodles, we focus on:

• High-quality nutrition

• Daily probiotics and digestive support

• Omega-rich foods for healthy skin and coat

• Proper grooming and coat maintenance

• Minimizing inflammatory fillers and artificial ingredients

Healthy skin and coat condition may help create a stronger natural barrier against external irritants.

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🦴 Diatomaceous Earth (Food Grade)

Some families choose to use food-grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) as part of a holistic flea and tick routine.

Common holistic uses may include:

• Light dusting on the coat weekly

• Sprinkling lightly on dog bedding

• Adding a very small amount to pumpkin purée occasionally

For outdoor prevention, some families also choose to:

• Have their backyard professionally treated for fleas and ticks

OR

• Spread FOOD-GRADE Diatomaceous Earth across the lawn using a grass-seed spreader from a farm supply store

This is often applied lightly around:

• Yard perimeters

• Fence lines

• Dog run areas

• Outdoor resting spots

Always avoid inhalation and keep DE away from eyes and nose. Only use FOOD-GRADE Diatomaceous Earth.

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🌿 Natural Outdoor Prevention

Before walks or hikes:

• Use a natural flea & tick spray made for dogs

• Avoid tall grass and dense brush when possible

• Keep coat brushed and trimmed around legs, feet, and ears

• Check your dog after every outdoor adventure

Ticks commonly attach around:

• Ears

• Neck

• Between toes

• Armpits

• Groin area

Daily checks are one of the most important prevention tools.

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✨ Tick Removal Tips

If you find a tick:

• Stay calm

• Use a proper tick remover or fine-tip tweezers

• Remove slowly and steadily close to the skin

• Clean the area afterward

• Monitor for irritation or illness

Many families keep a tick puller in their car, grooming kit, or hiking bag.

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🛁 Grooming Helps

Routine grooming can help you spot fleas or ticks early.

Helpful habits include:

• Brushing several times weekly

• Keeping ears clean and dry

• Checking paws after walks

• Bathing with gentle dog-safe products when needed

• Washing bedding regularly

Lighter- coloured coats can sometimes make ticks easier to spot.

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⚠️ Important Reminder

Every dog and every environment is different. Some areas may have higher flea or tick exposure risks than others.

Families should always speak with their veterinarian about the best prevention plan for their individual dog, lifestyle, and region — especially in high-risk tick areas.

A balanced approach combining awareness, grooming, environmental management, and veterinary guidance can help support your dog’s overall wellbeing.

⚠️ A Note About Flea & Tick Medications

Some families choose to avoid certain flea & tick drops or oral chew products due to concerns about potential side effects in some dogs.

Reported concerns may include:

• Neurological reactions

• Tremors or seizures in sensitive dogs

• Digestive upset

• Skin irritation

• Behavioral changes or lethargy

Another concern for some families is that many flea & tick medications work by killing the tick after it bites the dog. Because Lyme disease transmission can occur through a tick bite, some owners prefer to focus heavily on prevention methods that may help reduce the chance of ticks attaching in the first place.

This is why many holistic-minded families choose to combine:

• Daily tick checks

• Yard management

• Natural sprays

• Grooming and coat care

• Food-grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

• Immune and skin support through nutrition

Every dog is unique, and some dogs living in high-risk tick areas may still require veterinary flea and tick preventatives. Families should always discuss risks, benefits, and the safest options for their individual dog with their veterinarian.

At Lakewood Ranch Doodles, we believe informed decisions, daily awareness, and a balanced prevention approach are important parts of supporting long-term health and wellness.