[Bill Watson]

I was asked by a neighbor about the use of feed grade diatomaceous earth to kill fleas on her small dog. I have no experience with this product and would like information from those of you that may have. Any comments from Vets? Bill

 

[Troopers Mom]

I have only used the pool grade to kill scorpions, but only in areas where no dogs can come into contact with it.

Arleen

 

[Erin Lynes]

I would be interested in knowing this too. It seems that some brands also promote feeding it to prevent/eliminate internal parasites.

 

[WRL]

http://retrievertraining.net/forums/showthread.php?t=46666&highlight=diatomaceous+earth

 

[BlakeD]

You can put it on dogs food for worms. It's not harmful but wouldn't want the dog to inhale it if at all possinle

 

[Bill Watson]

Thanks to all who answered. Cleo has a 4 lb. mini Snauser and she can (The dog) carry quite a number of fleas. (I guess they like to pick on the little ones) I will give it a try and if I can remember, when the time comes, I will try to post my observations. Death to the critters! Bill

 

[dogshom]

I did a test a couple of years ago. I put a couple fleas in a baggie that had DE in it. It took DAYS for them to die. the herbal flea spray I was testing did the job in in 20 minutes. If your friend uses DE be sure she gets the food grade-not the pool stuff.

 

[mwk56]

The theory behind DE is that it coats the exoskeleton of the insect, keeping it from breathing. In order for it to work on a dog, you would have to keep the dog COVERED in it--too dirty to be in the house or even to pet.

I don't believe there are any scientific articles to prove or disprove whether feeding it does anything to control internal parisites. However, I don't believe it would work if "coating" the varmit is what is supposed to kill them.

Meredith

 

[David McCracken]

I use it around the yard; works well, as I don't have as many fleas as I used to.

 

[charly_t]

You can put it on dogs food for worms. It's not harmful but wouldn't want the dog to inhale it if at all possinle

Good point. People shouldn't inhale it either. I didn't think it worked that well but I used other stuff when the DE did not work fast enough to suit me. I bought the mud looking stuff with the nematodes next ( I think ). Then much later we salted the dog pens, watered them down good, kept the dogs elsewhere till water and disolved salt were well absorbed ( dry ). Grass was dead for about three weeks ( looked horrible ). Grass came back after that and looked great. No more fleas !