Heading into winter usually means a downturn in the flea population as they tend to hibernate over the cooler months. This year, March has been much warmer than usual, giving fleas a nice temperature to continue breeding and looking for dogs to bother. If you’d rather not use chemical flea treatments or diatomaceous earth and are looking for another solution, these flea busting treats that I found in the archives could be just what you’re after.

Packed full of goodies such as Vitamin E from wheat germ and omega 3 fatty acids from linseed, these treats help to ward off fleas by keeping your dogs blood full of the stuff parasites hate – and they taste great for pups too.

Once made keep them in an air-tight container, if you have an absorbent silicon sachet or two put them in the container with the treats to ensure they last the distance. I keep all the little sachets that come in packs of tortillas and other items from the supermarket as they’re really handy to pop in with your baking or opened packs of cereal to keep it fresh.

Doggy De-flea Treat Recipe

3 tsp Maggi beef stock powder (or dissolve 2 tsp Marmite or Vegemite in the hot water below)
3 1/2 cups wholemeal flour
½ cup wheatgerm
½ cup bran
½ cup linseed
2/3 cup Brewer’s Yeast
2 Tbs garlic granules
(in spice aisle of your local supermarket)
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups hot water

Mix all the ingredients together, except the eggs and water. Mix in the eggs, then slowly add the hot water, stirring all the time until you have a workable dough (stickier the better). Roll out, cut into shapes and place on a greased tray. Bake at 180 degrees C for 20 minutes, and then turn off the oven and leave to harden overnight, or at least a few hours.

For large dogs give 2 to 3 doggy de-flea treats a day, smaller dogs 1 or 2.