Farm Pups: How to Best Take Care Of Your Dog

In 2012 alone, Americans spent over 53 billion dollars on their canine friends both farm pups and city pups.

This is a number that continues to grow.

Between visits to the vet, medicines, and treatments, we want to provide the best for our pups without breaking the bank.

Here are some natural ways to best take care of your furry friend this season without having to spend a fortune.

Fleas

Fleas are one of pet-owners biggest enemies during the early spring and summer.

They latch on to our pups and are very difficult to get rid of.

If you notice these buggy critters crawling around on your pup, rub small amounts of fresh lemon or orange juice onto the skin and fur of your dog.

Fleas hate citrus and they won’t want to bite anything covered in it.

If you are still having difficulty with fleas, try giving your dog a mixture of brewer’s yeast and a small amount of garlic in their dog food.

This will also help repel the fleas.

Ticks

With summer right around the corner, ticks will be everywhere—hiding in grass, the woods and leaves— in your pup’s favorite places to play.

Yet, a tick bite can lead to lime disease, an uncomfortable time for your pet, and an expensive vet visit; it’s important to prevent this.

Try picking up rose geranium essential oil and applying a few dabs to your pup’s collar.

This oil has proven to help repel ticks from dogs.

Another tip? Try covering your dog in a jacket or blanket.

You can even cut up socks and cover his legs.

While it might seem silly, a second layer will protect your pup from ticks; they will latch on to the second layer instead of your dog.

Skin/Itching Conditions

With the bugs swarming and the heat of the summer, it’s easy for your pup’s skin to dry out and/or become itchy.

Chamomile tea is a great alleviation of skin irritations.

Simply make the tea, pour it into a spray bottle, and apply it to the skin (after it cools of course).

Another tip is to apply vitamin E to the affected area.

You can also make your own salve out of oatmeal and water if you can’t find vitamin E.

Upset Stomach

Dogs in the summer have a habit of snacking on grass, which can cause them to have an upset stomach.

If your pup is doing this, feed him/her plain yogurt with quality dog food from companies like Central Farm and Garden.

The yogurt has antibacterial qualities that will help your pup feel better.

Protect your pups and your wallet this summer by taking care of your dog naturally–the best way to take care of your dog is to keep him/her happy and healthy.

Keep an eye out for fleas and ticks and treat when necessary!