Parasites and nutrition

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Parasites and nutrition

Posted : 6/5/2006 10:06:59 PM

Does anyone know of any studies done to show a correlation between good nutrition and parasites? I had heard somewhere, I wish I could remember exactly where, that dogs who received better nutrition were less likely to attract fleas and ticks. I'm asking out of curiosity, not to start controversy. My neighbor warned me that springtime around here brings out the fleas and ticks and that he has them in his yard so I shouldn't be surprised if Ruby and Samwise get them. IMHO, he feeds sub-premium food. So far, Ruby and Samwise are pest-free. And then I remembered reading somewhere about the possible connection, so I'm trying to look into it. I'd rather not use the topicals if I can avoid them. I'm very interested in DE but can't find it locally and it's really expensive to ship. Links to any studies would be helpful and appreciated. Thanks,Christi

glenmar

Posted : 6/6/2006 6:08:31 AM

Christi, I can't give you links or studies, but I can share my own experience.

The first year with the shepherds I fed (vets recommendation) Purina Large Breed Puppy. Also used Revolution and had to ADD frontline cuz the fleas were soooo bad. And I'd NEVER fed my cockers super premiums because I'd never HEARD of them. In Feb or March of the next year, I changed to Royal Canine since that was the best available locally. Also started homecooking. Moved to Savannah in May.....used frontline 2 or 3 times over the next 8 months. Changed to Innova in June of that year. Moved to MI in Feb.....coastal MI, all sand, lots of sand fleas, used frontline ZERO times last summer, and so far none at all this summer.

We fought the annual battle of the fleas, no matter what product we used, UNTIL I changed to super premium foods and homecooked. Is it the food? Is it the garlic in the homecooked? Who knows, but it ain't broke so I'm not fixing it!! I love being flea free!

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Posted : 6/6/2006 11:22:49 AM

The old dog we had (lost at 15-1/2) used to drink water from the pool and apparently there's just enough chlorine to keep fleas away because he never had them - never scratched - even during the years that we had a really bad flea season. I ordered some garlic tablets for dogs out of some catalog (I think it's Springtime) for Max and so far he isn't scratching, either. We'll have to get a little farther into flea season before I get a feel for how good they work. I don't really like the idea of topicals because Max is quite the licker and even though he can't reach that area between his shoulder blades I don't feel comfortable with them.

Joyce & Max