Four Thieves Vinegar...

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Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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About 3 weeks ago, I mentioned that I'd found 2 big ticks just 4 days apart on Norkham, despite using a spot-on treatment mainly made of plant-based ingredients, which are less harsh than traditional chemical ones. \/p>

I was gutted because last year, with this treatment, we barely picked up any ticks at all.\/p>

I'd also asked if anyone knew about Four Thieves Vinegar. \/p>

\/p>

After reading all the messages (as well as another thread on pretty much the same topic), I was almost ready, with a heavy heart, to go back to insecticide spot-ons or those nasty tablets... but at the last minute, I couldn't do it because the thought of giving all that to my dog made me feel sick!\/p>

\/p>

So, I've been trying out the Four Thieves Vinegar experiment for about a fortnight now. It's far too early to talk statistics, of course, but so far I haven't found a single tick on Nono, whether attached or not. Mind you, I can't say I live in an area that's heavily infested with the nasty things. \/p>

\/p>

Anyway, I spray a bit of this mixture once a day (or even before every walk if I know we're going into long grass) all over the dog, rubbing it in well to get it into his coat. That's what Misanthrope suggested in an old post. I wouldn't say Nono is exactly thrilled, but he doesn't struggle or try to bolt. I give him a brush when we get back, just in case. \/p>

\/p>

The smell really isn't unpleasant (quite the opposite) and it disappears quickly, at least for a human nose... Like many reviews from people who've bought this product said, it also has the advantage of making the coat extremely soft. \/p>

\/p>

So, that's our little update on how it's going... I hope it'll be a success until next winter! \/p>

\/p>

😉\/p>

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13 answers
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  • R
    Romaric83 Icon representing the flag French
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    Kainate is 100% spot on. The best solution is always a compromise or using a combination of different treatments at the same time. Has anyone actually used paracord and EM ceramic collars before? I only discovered them last month; I’m finding it really hard to believe the theory behind the baked-in microorganisms, but I’d love to believe it works! :-) I'm not really an expert, to be fair. Regardless, I ended up being tempted and bought three collars. They look lovely, but I’m wondering if they’re actually effective. Only time will tell...
    Translated from French
    Kainate
    Kainate Icon representing the flag French
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    Unfortunately, flea and tick collars also lose their effectiveness with frequent or prolonged swimming, on top of being toxic to aquatic life.

    Sadly, there’s no perfect solution when it comes to parasite protection.

    The best approach is always a compromise—a risk-benefit balance you have to weigh up, which depends specifically on your environment (sandflies or no sandflies, whether it’s a tick-prone area, vaccinations, frequent swimming, if they’re swimming in areas with sensitive wildlife, etc.).

    And it’s a pain, because I think we’d all love a miracle product that isn’t toxic to the dog or the environment, but is still really effective against all external parasites ^^

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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    The Seresto collar holds up really well to frequent swimming and protects against fleas, ticks, and sand flies.

    Given my dog goes for a dip every day, I replace it every 4 months—you can't be too careful when it comes to ticks.

    Translated from French
    2
    20pattes57 Icon representing the flag French
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    Exactly, same as last year—because of the mild winter, ticks are back in force in the East. I’ve used a Seresto collar for Mimi for 6 years now. She’s had fewer than ten ticks in all that time, despite daily walks in the woods off the lead.
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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Of course, a repellent isn't a 100% guarantee (neither is Nexgard, actually, as my dog still got ticks while on it), but it seems like a good option for me since Norkham has a short coat. I give him a brush and a good fuss after every walk to make sure he hasn't brought back any hitchhikers. I check his ears too. But you're right, it's not ideal if they have a really thick, long coat. And as I was saying, we aren't exactly overrun with ticks at the moment, despite the mild winter. To be honest, we've had several mild winters in a row now, but I haven't noticed a massive surge in those nasty things.
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    B
    Billy34 Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi everyone, Personally, I find the smell really pleasant. It's a shame it fades so quickly for our human noses! It obviously doesn't bother Billy—who loves the massage—nor does it seem to bother any of his playmates. The vet mentions a "risk" because, according to her, nothing has been scientifically proven and owners often end up forgetting to apply it. I've been using it for well over a year now and, for me, it works. I should mention, however, that I live in the city and Billy doesn't go swimming. Have a lovely day!
    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    I personally quite like the smell and, as I mentioned, it’s very volatile so it fades away really quickly.
    Translated from French
    Kikaah
    Kikaah Icon representing the flag French
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    I use it too ^^ Apparently, you can do a course of it to boost the immune system. I tried it once myself, but even diluted the taste is foul (and the smell is bad enough as it is)! 😯
    Translated from French
    Doudou229
    Doudou229 Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi everyone

    Four Thieves Vinegar is actually quite good, as long as the dog doesn't go in the water every day... ^^

    https://www.vismedicatrixnaturae.fr/remedes-recettes/le-vinaigre-des-4-voleurs-recette-et-bienfaits/

    There are plenty of friends over on the RAW feeding forum who use it...

    With Oxane, I had to give up on the Naturly's spot-on (it didn't protect her from fleas) :-(

    In the end, after trying diatomaceous earth, I went with Advantix spot-on so she wouldn't have another flea allergy flare-up...

    But having to apply Advantix every month (spring, summer) because of her swimming... it's a real pain.

    😞

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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    No, it doesn't seem to be an issue. We’ve met a few dogs, and today he had a run around with a Dalmatian who didn't seem bothered in the slightest...
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