Foods That Help Your Dog, Cat Naturally Repel, Eliminate Infestations of Insects, Parasites

★ 7 min read

In this article:

Foods and herbs you can add to your dog and cat's diet to help:

• Prevent and treat an infestation of intestinal worms (parasites)
• Make your dog and cat less desirable to fleas, mosquitoes and ticks 
• Support health and well-being  

.1 Supplemental Food:  

1. Apple Cider Vinegar  
2. Coconut Sap Vinegar  
   
3. Beets, Carrots, Turnip  
4. Coconut Oil   
5. Fur and Feathers, Raw Meaty Bones
   
6. Garlic  
7. Honey
8. Kelp 
   
9. Lemon  
10. Omega-3 Fatty Acids  
11. Papaya  
12. Pumpkin seed or oil  
13. Raw Goat Milk, Kefir, Yogurt and Sauerkraut  

.2 Additional Tips to Support Your Dog and Cat's Immune System 
.3 The Right Protocol for Your Dog and Cat

 

1.0 Supplemental Food

Introduction

 

Allow your dog and cat to self-select the supplemental foods they prefer. Never force your dog or cat to eat items they do not want. Respect their indication. Learn more about self selection here.
 

1.1 Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) organic, unpasteurized
for dogs and cats

A diet of dry food or wet food (highly processes pet food) results in an acidified blood PH level. Disease, parasites and insects are attracted to acidified blood.

Health Benefits of Adding ACV to your Dog or Cat's Diet

1. Can help re-balance blood PH levels.
2. Helps maintain the normal acid/alkaline balance of the digestive tract.
3. Inhibits the growth of bad bacteria.
4. Helps to clean the blood and liver of toxins.
5. Helps prevent dry skin.
6. Promotes the growth and maintenance of healthy fur.

ACV can also be used topically to help repel insects.

• Recipe for natural insect repellent spray - go to this article. 

To learn more about:

1. Health benefits of ACV.
2. How to choose a good quality ACV.
3. How to add ACV to your dog and cat’s diet.
4. Daily dosage by body weight.
5. Cautions for some medical conditions and drug interactions.

Go to this article.

 

 

1.2 Coconut Sap Vinegar, organic, unpasteurized
for dogs and cats 

 

Coconut sap vinegar (CSV) has many health benefits and can help balance body pH. A balanced body pH makes your dog and cat less attractive to insects and parasites.

 

Coconut sap vinegar is rich in amino acids, vitamins, minerals, digestive enzymes and probiotic microbes. CSV has a milder taste than apple cider vinegar. If your dog or cat isn't fond of ACV she may like coconut sap vinegar instead.

 

To learn more about coconut sap vinegar (CSV):

1. Health benefits.
2. How to choose a good quality product.
3. How to add CSV to your dog and cat’s diet.
4. Daily dosage by body weight.
5. Cautions for some medical conditions and drug interactions.

Go to this article.

 

1.3 Beet, Carrot or Turnip
for dogs and puppies

Carrot, beet (table beet, NOT sugar beet), or turnip added to the diet can help cleanse the digestive tract and scrub away parasites.

Carrot, beet or turnip can be served fresh grated or pureed, or gently steamed and pureed.

 

Daily Dosage

 

Choose one of the following:

Carrot:  

½ tbs to 2 tbs per day.
 

Beet:     

½ tbs to 2 tbs per day.
 

Turnip:   

½ tbs to 2 tbs per day.

 

1.4 Coconut Oil
for dogs, puppies, cats and kittens

 

Coconut oil has multiple health benefits that can help protect against insects and parasites. Coconut oil is a natural:

• Anti-bacterial
• Anti-fungal
• Anti-viral
• Anti-parasitic

Coconut oil can be used as an ingested supplement and as a topical treatment to help prevent and treat parasitic infestations.

Topical Uses Include Treatment for:

• Flea infestation
• Flea skin allergy
• Itchy skin

For more information about coconut oil:

• Health benefits.
• How to choose an appropriate product.
• How to introduce coconut oil to your dog and cat's diet.
• Recommended dosing guidelines.
• Cautions.

Go to this article.

1.5 Fur and Feathers, Raw Meaty Bones

for dogs, puppies, cats and kittens

Raw meaty bones with fur or feathers help keep your dog and cat's body parasite free. Fur and feathers help scrub intestinal parasites from the lower gastrointestinal tract.  

 

Choose:

• Raw meaty bones w/ fur or feathers.
  
• Air dried meaty bones w/ fur or feathers.
  

Learn how to include appropriate meaty bones (RMB) in your dog and cat's diet...

 

For dogs and puppies:

• Go to this article.

For cats and kittens:

• Go to this article.

 

 

1.6 Garlic

for dogs and puppies over 6 months of age

You may have heard (or read) that garlic is bad or toxic to dogs, this is NOT true. Garlic is a traditional herbal medicinal for dogs. Go to this article to learn more.

Health Benefits of Garlic for Dogs

partial list:

Garlic contains multiple forms of sulphur. 

• Sulphur is a natural insect repellent.

Garlic cleanses the blood which helps in fighting disease spread by parasites.
 

Garlic is an:

• Anti-allergen
• Antibacterial
• Antibiotic
• Anti-carcinogen
• Anti-fungal
• Antioxidant
• Anti-protozoan

To learn more:

1. How to add garlic to your dog’s diet,
2. How to prepare the garlic,
3. Daily dosage for garlic by body weight,
4. Cautions for some medical conditions and drug interactions...

Go to this article.

 

1.7 Honey

for dogs (not for puppies under 6 months of age)

Raw unpasteurized honey (and bee pollen or bee propolis) is beneficial to dogs when provided in within proper dosing guidelines. Honey helps to protect the body from bacteria and viruses, including pathogens from insects and parasites.

Daily Dosage:

• 1/2 tsp for every 20 pounds of body weight.

To learn more about:

1. Health benefits of honey,
2. How to select appropriate raw honey,
3. How to include honey in your dog's diet,
   
4. Cautions for some medical conditions and drug interactions...

Go to this article.

1.8 Kelp
for dogs, puppies, cats and kittens

Kelp used as a supplemental food, helps protect against fleas and helps prevent irritation caused by flea-bite allergy. Kelp helps reduc skin inflammation and itchiness from other allergies and improves the health of skin and coat.

Kelp also supports your dog and cat’s health in other ways, for example:

1. Helps the GI tract stay clean and promotes a healthy balance of GI fluids.
2. A good source of bio-available iron which helps supports blood health and heart health.
3. A good source of Vitamin C. Iron needs Vitamin C to increase absorption.
4. Speeds healing. The amino acids in kelp support repair of injured tissue.
5. Supports and help treats low thyroid function. Kelp is iodine rich. Low iodine levels are a trigger for hypothyroid problems.
6. High-levels of iodine and other nutrients (i.e. manganese, folate, magnesium, tryptophan, copper, calcium, vitamin B2) support adrenal and pituitary gland health.
   

Choose a kelp powder that is contaminant and toxin free:

• Deep sea kelp
• Norwegian kelp

Caution:

• Don't give kelp to dogs and cats that have hyperthyroidism.

Daily Dosage:

• Small size dogs and cats - ¼ tsp
• Medium size dogs - ½ tsp
• Large size dogs – 1 tsp

1.9 Fresh Lemon
for dogs and puppies

 

Lemons are a very alkaline food that help the body balance PH levels. Acidified blood PH levels attract insects and parasites.

Lemon is a natural:

1. Detoxifier and can kill undesirable microorganisms in the GI tract. 
2. Wormer. 
3. Mosquito (and other insect) repellent.

You can make your own all-natural safe sprays and collar drops for your dog.

 

Learn more about:

1. Health benefits of lemon,
2. How to add lemon to your dog and puppy's diet,
3. Daily dosage,
4. Cautions for some medical conditions and drug interactions...

 Go to this article.

Fin out how to make your own lemon insect repellent:

• Go to this article.

 

1.10 Omega-3 Fatty Acids
for dogs, puppies, cats and kittens

It's very important to ensure sure your dog and cat get enough species appropriate omega-3 fatty acids daily. Omega-3 fatty acids are important to maintain:

• A strong immune system.
• Fur and skin health. 
  

Include wild-caught fatty fish in your dog and cat's diet. To learn how to include fatty fish in your dog or cat's diet go to the articles below:

 

How to select and prepare fish for your dog and cat:

• Go to this article.

Sardines and other small fatty fish:

• Go to this article.

1.11 Papaya
for dogs and puppies

The naturally occurring enzymes in papaya help kill intestinal parasites. The enzyme papain is a digestive enzyme that helps break down food in the gut. Papaya is also a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals.

To Prepare the Papaya

• Remove the skin of the papaya.
• Remove the seeds.
  
• Finely chop or mince by hand or using a food processor or blender to puree.
  

Minimum Dosage

• Small Size Dogs - ½  tsp to 1 tsp
• Medium Size dogs – 1 tsp to ½ tbs
• Large Size Dogs – ½ tbs to 1 tbs

1.12 Pumpkin (Pepita) Seeds and Pumpkin Seed Oil

for dogs, puppies, cats and kittens

Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds and Pumpkin Seed Oil

a partial list:

• Antimicrobial support
• Antioxidant support
• Nutrient support
• Anti-carcinogen
• Source of essential minerals and fiber
  
• Natural worming aid
  

Use raw, shelled pumpkin seeds. Organic pumpkin seeds are the best choice.

Preparation

1. Grind the pumpkin seeds to a fine powder.
2. You can use a mortar and pestle, coffee grinder, or food processor to grind the seeds to powder.
   

Use

• Add the ground pumpkin seeds to your dog or cat's food once a day for two weeks.
• You can also choose to add pumpkin seeds to your dog and cat's daily diet.
• My dog’s get finely ground pumpkin seeds sprinkled on their food daily.
• For more information on the benefits of pumpkin seeds, go to this article. 

Dosage 

Choose pumpkin seed powder or pumpkin seed oil.

 

Pumpkin Seed Powder

• 1/4 teaspoon for every 10 lbs of body weight

Pumpkin Seed Oil

• 1/4 teaspoon of pumpkin seed oil for every 10 lbs of body weight.

1.13 Raw Goat Milk, Kefir, Yogurt and Sauerkraut
for dogs, puppies, cats and kittens

The beneficial microorganisms in probiotic foods help your dog and cat naturally repel parasites and associated diseases. 

Learn more about:

1. Health benefits,
2. How to choose an appropriate product,
3. How to add probiotics foods to the diet,
4. Daily serving size,
5. Cautions...

Raw goat milk, kefir and yogurt:

• Go to this article.

Sauerkraut:

• Go to this article.

2.0 Additional Precautions to Ensure a Healthy Immune System

More tips to prevent parasitic infestations, repel insects and avoid insect and parasite related infections. Support your dog and cat's overall health naturally:

1. Feed you dog and cat a species appropriate diet.
2. Avoid over-inoculation.
3. Avoid antibiotics.
4. Learn more about natural insect, parasite preventatives, worm preventatives, etc.
5. Limit your dog and cat's exposure to environmental toxins:
   
6. Use simple non-toxic household cleaners instead of chemical-based cleaners.
7. Avoid grass and other vegetation that has been treated with chemical-based lawn and garden pesticides and herbicides, road salt, etc.

 

3.0 The Right Protocol For Your Individual Dog or Cat

It's important to ensure the treatment and dietary protocol you're using is properly tailored to suit your individual dog or cat's circumstances. If the situation you're dealing with does not show signs of improvement I strongly encourage you to engage the services of a holistic diet, nutrition, wellness practitioner.

 
 

Holistic Diet, Nutrition, Wellness Services Tailored to Your Individual Dog and Cat

For information about my holistic diet, nutrition and wellness services, visit my holistic wellness services page.

Maintain good health | Address acute and chronic health issues | Pre and post surgery support and recovery

My holistic wellness services are available worldwide via video consultation.

🌎 USA | Canada | UK | Europe | Australia | New Zealand | Asia | South and Central America | Africa | UAE

📱FaceTime | Facebook | Skype | WhatsApp

To set-up your holistic wellness consultation get in-touch via email, go to my contact me page.

 

Holistic Behavioral Services for Your Dog

For information about my holistic behavioral services, visit my holistic behavioral services page.

For dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds.

My behavioral services are available worldwide via video consultation.

🌎 USA | Canada | UK | Europe | Australia | New Zealand | Asia | South and Central America | Africa | UAE

📱FaceTime | Facebook | Skype | WhatsApp

To set-up your holistic behavioral session get in-touch via email, go to my contact me page.

 

Affiliations to Companies  

✓ None. 

✓ I don't sell food, supplements, or other products.

✓ I'm not aligned with any companies. 

 

Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld.