In seeking information on how to treat our farm dogs for fleas we came across a natural flea preventative using Brewer’s Yeast, and we were very willing to give it a try.
When we moved to the homestead we noticed that we had a horrible flea problem, now add 2 very mild winters to this and the horrible problem quickly turns into a horrific problem. We couldn’t spray the area to help resolve the problem due to the poultry free ranging, and for some reason our 3 guinea (I know that is probably not enough to resolve the issue) wasn’t getting the job done! We stopped using chemical flea treatments while we were still living in the suburbs, so we needed something natural.
We started this treatment in May of 2015 when we added a new pup to the homestead, and I won’t lie, it took some time to build up in their system but we have seen a huge decrease in our flea problem. When consumed Brewer’s Yeast leaves an order and a taste that fleas do not like, which often sends them packing after the bite. The recipe is extremely easy to make, and the dosage amount is 1/4 of a teaspoon per every 10 lbs of your dogs weight. For our pup and our old farm pup, we split the amount to be given between their morning and evening meals.
Alongside the Brewer’s Yeast cubes we also provide raw unpasteurized apple cider vinegar (ACV). The raw apple cider vinegar makes your pup’s skin taste acidic, which repels the flea. A tablespoon of ACV can be added to your pets water bowl daily, but we add a tablespoon directly to their food once a day. But there is a slight catch with this, if your dog has to much acidity in his body, using the ACV will not help the situation.
INSTRUCTIONS
1 1/8 cup of melted organic virgin coconut oil. I melt at 30 second increments in the microwave until it is fully melted. Coconut oil is the binding element for the Brewer’s Yeast, and some of its beneficial qualities cover skin issues, digestion, bone health, it also helps to reduce weight and provides energy, contains powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal agents that prevent infection and disease and aids in joint and arthritis issues.
1/2 cup of Brewer’s Yeast or Brewer’s Yeast with Garlic (affiliated). For the record, we opt to provide 1 small clove of freshly minced garlic in substitute of garlic powder.
Mix the two ingredients together (by hand, with a mixer, or use a immersion blender)
Pour the mixture into silicon molds, for this project we used 1/4 teaspoon Mini Heart Shape Silicon Molds (affiliated). To avoid a mess (we learned the hard way, and this is a photo of ‘the hard way’) when pouring the mixture into the mold you can use an old condiment dispenser (like a ketchup or mustard bottle), make sure to shake the bottle often as you work.
Your final step is to place the molds into the freezer until they are solid.
Store the cubes in a mason jar and keep in the freezer, using as much as needed per meal.
Keep in mind, fighting fleas naturally takes a lot of relentless work; we provide Brewer’s Yeast cubes, ACV, and a small clove of fresh garlic in combination of other natural methods. For example, we lightly sprinkle food grade diatomaceous earth on our carpets a few times a week, leaving it overnight and then vacuuming it up the following morning. We apply lavender and cedar oil (both work well to repel fleas) to their collars, and we also make a lavender and coconut oil lotion to rub onto their fur. During the summer, we will often lightly sprinkle Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth (affiliated) directly onto our dogs to help immediately kill the fleas which are on them.
Don’t give up on fighting fleas naturally, when you least expected you will see effort in your work!
I am sure many of you are wondering why we would feed fresh garlic to our dogs, so I am including this article for you.
GARLIC FOR DOGS: POISON OR MEDICINE?
This was excellent info thank you do much for sharing!
Welcome and good luck!
I made these using this recipe and 2 out of my 3 dogs won’t eat them! Any ideas!
Our old dog does not consume them either! We grab the amount he needs and melt it slightly and mix with his food; he never new the difference!
Thats brilliant and such a relief to find this. I garden and I use no chemicals. We were hit hard with fleas and he is on the best of the best chemical treatments for dogs, which I hate using on him and it doesnt work. The fleas still persist no matter what we do to the point where he is bleeding so bad from digging at them. Ive been at my wits end. Thank you so much!
The winters have been so mild these past few years in many locations, that I agree they are hard to be rid of! Natural remedies to be rid of fleas is an ongoing effort, but definitely worth doing.
Great information! Thank you! We just “inherited” 4 chickens from my in-laws and are now Urban Chicken newbies 🙂 Your site is a wealth of information and greatly appreciated! Regarding this article…do you know if this will work for cats as well? Has anyone tried this with felines?
Hi there, cats are very picky eaters, and I would suggest giving it as free choice. BUT! Make sure the Brewer’s Yeast does not contain garlic; galic is toxic for them.
Is garlic really toxic for cats? Just got everything to make them.
Please let me know…
Thank you! I added half a cup of melted peanut butter to mine to make it more appealing to my dogs. I might also experiment with adding some chicken bouillon.
I made these for my dogs but am wondering about the dosage. I have a 55 + pound dog and an 11 pound dog. What would be the dosage for each?
Thank you
1/4 of a teaspoon per pound.
The correct dosage is 1/4 TEASPOON PER 10 LBS. BODY WEIGHT!!!
Thank you for this great information, but I still have questions about cats. There are many recipes for dogs, and very few for cats where I search. We have multiple cats, our precious rescues. Many ferrals, so I need a measurement to sprinkle on their food. All our cats are spayed or neutered and doing well and this will help them to be more healthy getting a relief from fleas. I have been using a flea medication on some that are blind and handy cap, but this is very expensive and the last dose I gave our new baby made him sick. Thus I am on a mission for a healthier flea treatment. I would appreciate any help you can give me. Thank you
There is nothing in this method which would unsafe for cats. However, due to their picky disposition they may not consume it. A thought to try would be to crumble up the cubes and add to their feed, or simply allow them to consume it as a free choice item. My cat consumes it in her feed if I crumble it, though there are days she is extremely picky about what she eats!
Hello! Am currently using Brewers yeast tablets. It’s what I found first .. had no luck locating the powder at Walmart.. so I have been just crushing up the tablets and adding it to just a bit of coconut oil and peanut butter and oats kinda rolling g it into a ball and it’s her favorite morning treat! I chose this way o my because I have not purchased the molds yet. However it only takes a couple minutes to whip up while the families breakfast is cooking.. thanks for this sight! Jesus loves you!