Fleas and ticks are a pet owner’s nightmare. And, at a time when people are steering away from chemicals, you can do the same for your pets. You can use a nourishing shampoo and bathe them regularly to keep insects away. There are also various natural methods to repel fleas and ticks in pets, but the most effective ones involve food. These five foods help keepfleas and ticks away from pets.

1. Home-cooked Food
A fundamental way of keeping your puppy or kitten safe from ticks and fleas is a healthy meal plan. Fleas hook on to weaker dogs more easily than healthy ones. Compromised immune systems and malnourished pups and kittens are the most natural target for these bloodsuckers. Remember to provide your pet with high-quality pet food, whether kibble or wet pouches, home-cooked, raw, or store-bought dry commercial food.

2. Brewer’s Yeast
A natural and effective supplement to fight fleas and ticks is yeast. Just a half teaspoon of brewer’s yeast is enough to nourish your dog with all the essential B-complex vitamins that vitamins are necessary for fighting insects. Remember to talk to a doctor about the dosage because; in large amounts, yeast can affect your pet’s digestive system. Alternatively, you can try getting B-complex supplements from your veterinarian.

3. Other Supplements
Giving your pet some nutritional supplements improves their overall health and immunity making them less likely to be the target of pesky fleas and ticks. Try to include omega-3 and -6 fatty acids through safflower or fish oil. Powdered seaweed can also boost immune system function. However, be careful while introducing supplements, and talk to your veterinarian about dosage and your individual pet’s allergies.

4. Apple cider vinegar (ACV)
ACV is a magical liquid beneficial to people in various ways for weight loss, skin health, and even as an ingredient in certain foods. ACV is also excellent for dogs as they help repel fleas. Add a spoon full of organic apple cider vinegar to your pet’s drinking water bowl. Most dogs do not mind the taste, but be sure to start with a small amount and increase it to up to a tablespoon. Another way to use apple cider vinegar is as a pet spray. Blend apple cider vinegar and water in a 1:3 ratio and spray it over your pet’s coat, remembering to avoid the face and ears.

5. Lemon, Baking Soda, and Salt
There are so many ways of using food ingredients to keep fleas and ticks away. The most effective of which have one of these three ingredients mentioned above. You can use a mixture of baking soda and salt to control fleas and ticks around the house. Both act as dehydrating agents and are particularly effective when accompanied by thorough vacuuming. Comb it into the carpets and other furniture where fleas and ticks hide. You can also make a lemon spray by boiling slices of lemon in water and after cooling it, fill a spray bottle with this liquid. You can spray this lemon water on your pet and other infested areas in your home to keep off fleas and ticks.