Fleas can drive a pet owner to distraction. It’s not just your pet scratching. An infestation can quickly get to the point when the fleas are hopping on you too. But apart from using toxic chemicals in sprays and foggers, what can you do to get rid of the flea problem in your home? There are various natural alternatives to poisonous pesticides, some of which are more effective than others.

This Fleabusters treatment is based on borate powder, which dehydrates the fleas and larva, killing them without any chemicals. It has to be dusted and brushed into all the floor areas of your home, which can be a bit of a laborious process, and dusty too, but once you’ve applied it, the powder will carry on working for at least a year, preventing re-infestation.

It usually takes a few days to a couple of weeks to get rid of the fleas completely, as new eggs will still be hatching out, but the wait is worth it to be flea free in the end! It’s a bit expensive, but the 3lb container will easily treat a three bedroom home completely and shouldn’t need re-application for at least a year. There are many testimonials to its effectiveness from customers, but a very few for whom it didn’t work. If you are being driven crazy by fleas, this would be the first natural solution to turn to.

Fleabusters Rx for Fleas Plus Costs $39.99 From Only Natural Pet Store

We’ve recently discussed scooping litter and it’s one of the least favorable aspects of cat parenting. Besides hiring out someone to do it, you’re stuck with the chore. Make the chore happen less by buying herbal cat litter. The special odor absorbing litter is made from corn cob particles that clump when used. It is lightweight and lasts 3x as long as regular clay clumping litter. Just imagine scooping 3 times less often! Sweet!

The herbal cat litter can be purchased at Cat Claws for $31.90 per 15 pound bag. Discounts given to multiple bag orders.

Made from recycled composite resin, this folding pet gate looks good as well as doing the job. It is easy to put up, as it is freestanding, is held in place by its own weight and will fit a variety of openings. It is weatherproof so can be used outside as well as inside.

I don’t know how well it would hold up to a determined escapologist, but if all you need is a barrier to keep your dog in or out of a room then this would do the job. It comes in dark red, earth brown or evergreen and is available in two heights.

Gate costs from $199 from Fetch Dog

When your pet is sick or just getting older it is great to have a natural immune booster that really works to support his recovery. This formula combines natural vitamins, herbs, mushrooms and antioxidants to give a natural boost to your pet. It has rave reviews from many pet owners for helping older pets have a new lease of life and for helping pets recover from serious illnesses, kidney problems and even cancers. It contains various mushrooms used in Chinese traditional medicine, green tea leaf, cats claw, astralagus as well as selenium, vitamins and enzymes. They come in capsule form with a flavor that dogs and cats will take easily.

Currently costs $26.99 at Only Natural Pet Store.

There seem to be two sides of the neem oil debate for pets. Some owners are very happy that the neem oil gets rid of fleas effectively and naturally. Others can’t stand the smell of the oil, so keep on looking elsewhere for natural flea remedies. If you can cope with a bit of a stink for a few days then it seems like neem really does work, not just to get rid of fleas and ticks, but also to heal the skin damage caused by them.

Neem oil also works well on ringworm and other fungal infections and has been successfully used on small animals such as guinea pigs too. The blue bottle looks clean and fresh, but be prepared for a potent oil inside! Mix it with your pet shampoo or apply a few drops neat, as you would apply a conventional spot on treatment.

Just be prepared for the smell!

Costs $9.39 from Amazon.com

When fleas are biting, it’s not enough just to bath your pet occasionally. If you are looking for a natural approach to fighting fleas, then giving your dog or cat brewer’s yeast tablets with garlic, can be an effective part of your campaign. Both ingredients work to support the immune system and they are also both said to make your pet less attractive to fleas. However they work, they do seem to help keep fleas away from your pets, when given regularly.

These tablets are best used in conjunction with various other natural flea treatments, especially if you are dealing with any level of infestation. They won’t get rid of a flea problem on their own, but do work well as a preventative measure.  By keeping your pet healthy they will also help him avoid other ill-effects of flea and tick infestation.

Some dogs love the tablets and beg for them, while others are less keen, so try them out on your pet and see. This is an inexpensive way of helping keep your pet healthy and flea free and well worth a try.

Costs $7.99 for 500 tablets from Only Natural Pet Store

An eco-friendly dog leash that is tough and cheap, this leash comes in great colors too. Its eco-credentials come from the fact that it is made out of 100% recycled milk cartons, so is doing its bit to reduce landfills and use fewer resources!

Besides that it is tough and durable and has a good quality snap bolt clip at the end. It comes with a guarantee against accidental damage or hardware failure. At 6 feet long it is a comfortable length for most dog walkers and it comes in red, blue, green and black.

Costs $6.89 from Sit Stay.com

Cracked skin on paws, dry chapped nose and lips all make dogs miserable. This Cain & Able all natural paw rub works wonders on sore paws, healing and moisturizing them and protecting them from further damage.

With a list of human-grade ingredients that sound good enough to eat, shea butter, aloe and vitamin E, your pet will know he’s not being treated like a second class citizen!

In fact some owners even adopt this product for their own use as a lip balm, it works so well! It’s not cheap, but if you are looking for a natural product that works and can afford to treat your pet to the best, it sounds like a good investment.

Costs $18 from Amazon.com