As the weather continues to warm up, pet parents everywhere are overjoyed at the chance to bring their furbabies outside more often for fun and exercise, but they’re also gearing up for flea season. Fleas tend to thrive in warmer weather, which makes them a problem almost year-round here in Florida. But did you know that your dog’s first defense against fleas can start with their diet?
Preventing flea infestations is not only important for your dog’s comfort, but it can also help protect your dog from infections and diseases carried by the parasites, as well as keeping you and your family safe from flea bites and allergic reactions. Here are a few things to know about how your dog’s diet affects their susceptibility to fleas:
Fleas are more likely to latch on to dogs with nutritionally deficient diets. A healthy, balanced diet includes a variety of important vitamins and nutrients that keep your dog’s immune system strong. These nutrients help keep your dog’s skin healthy and supple, protecting them from the elements and parasites like fleas. Without a healthy diet, your dog’s first line of defense is easily broken, making them a choice target for hungry fleas.
A natural diet offers more of the nutrients that help keep skin healthy. Natural, unprocessed meats like chicken are full of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are just some of the nutrients your dog needs for healthy skin. In fact, dogs need much more fat in their diets than humans do, which is why a real-food diet can be so beneficial to their health.
You can add supplements to your dog’s food to help keep them safe from fleas. Here at Pawsitively Pure, we really love Mercola supplements to give our dogs the best nutrition they can possibly get. Try adding an immune booster to their daily meals to help them stay guarded against fleas and other pests. Supplements that add Omega-3s, as well as seaweed and kelp supplements, are great for healthy skin.
Want to learn more about supplements you can add to your dog’s diet? Here’s a list of some of our favorite Mercola products. Before you change your dog’s diet or add any supplements to their meals, we recommend you have a conversation with your veterinarian. To learn more or to order natural food and treats your dog will love, browse through our website!