Liz
New member
Posts: 74 
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Post by Liz on Aug 1, 2016 18:02:09 GMT -5
Hey all! I use (food grade) DE in my dogs' bedding to help keep fleas at bay without chemicals, could I also use it in the ferret bedding to help with any potential parasites (mites, fleas transferred from the dogs)? Anyone have any experience doing this?
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Aug 1, 2016 19:14:36 GMT -5
Personally, I would not feel comfortable with that. It is dryin--and would not know how it would affect lungs of ferret over time or skin. I have not heard of ferrets picking up anything (parasites)from dogs other than fleas, since all would have their own separate food bowl. Not saying they can't, but have nt heard anything on forum since i have been on it.
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Post by Heather on Aug 1, 2016 19:20:40 GMT -5
I don't like it but others swear by it. I don't like anything that comes in a fine powder that can be inhaled
by little creatures
ciao
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2016 19:36:46 GMT -5
What is DE?
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Post by unclejoe on Aug 1, 2016 19:37:35 GMT -5
@missmo Diatomaceous earth. Diatoms are tiny shelled organisms. DE comes from deposits of their discarded shells. Higher content DE is used as a filter medium. The theory is that the sharp-edged shells will tear open the exoskeletons of insects like broken glass. We've tried it, but food grade DE is so low in diatoms (<1% i think) it didn't help us control fleas. We sprinkled it on carpets, in bedding and even of the fuzzies. The problem is that anything above food grade may contain enough diatoms to erode nasal and bronchial passages.
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Post by Heather on Aug 1, 2016 21:56:19 GMT -5
I found it borderline that it worked but then I only used it around doors, baseboards and places I was going to vacuum up.
ciao
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Post by bitbyter on Aug 2, 2016 10:30:35 GMT -5
DE is very effective but the insects have to come into contact with it for it to work. Also, because ferrets are so low to the ground, I would be wary about using it anywhere they can actually come into contact with it (due to possible irritation to their eyes and lungs). Other than direct contact issues it works well and is quite safe.
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Liz
New member
Posts: 74
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Post by Liz on Aug 2, 2016 12:51:36 GMT -5
I found a couple fleas on Lamb, went full primate and picked them off her. But I would like to use a natural treatment as I'm extremely put off by chemical flea treatments after a horrible experience ending in the death of my cat last fall. I had the same concerns, though, about the ferrets being so low to the ground and having their little faces closer to the DE. Any suggestions? I was thinking about just dunking her in water and combing them off her head. Doesn't seem to be many at all (yet...).
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Aug 2, 2016 17:32:44 GMT -5
I have never seen a flea comb, but it was mentioned on one post a while back. Then a person on internet said to dunk the comb in water each time or every other time you rake thru fur . I would do it everytime. I guess this keeps eggs them from falling on carpet andkeeps fleas from jumping around and drowns them in water. Then vacuum daily and wash bedding often.
just reading things--no first hand experience----knock on wood
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Liz
New member
Posts: 74
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Post by Liz on Aug 4, 2016 11:55:12 GMT -5
After all this input I'm a bit nervous about using the DE method in their bedding since I'd worry about them inhaling it, which isn't really an issue with the dogs. I will be treating the carpet in their room with DE when we vacuum, though. (Notice that in under two weeks the game room has become "their room"...lol!) But I've been using the flea comb/dunk method combined with daily changing of the bedding and it seems to be working! With the Bio-Groom for ear mites, my fuzzbutts are much less itchy.  Thank you everyone for your advice! |
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