Diatomaceous Earth is a dirt cheap way to control external and internal parasites in your dog.
Diatomaceous Earth is a non-toxic, safe substance made up from crushed fossils of freshwater organisms and marine life. Crushed to a fine powder and observed through a microscope, the particles resemble bits of broken glass. Diatomacous Earth is deadly to any insect yet completely harmless to animals.
Diatomaceous Earth’s mode of action for insect and parasite control is strictly mechanical. The microscopically sharp edges contact the insect or parasite, and pierce their protective coating, so they soon dehydrate and die. The larvae is affected in the same way.
Internal parasites can be controlled by giving Diatomaceous Earth internally. It is very important to note that it must be food grade – the earth used in gardens and pool filters can damage your dog. Diatomaceous Earth can eliminate roundworms, whipworms, pinworms, and hookworms within seven days of being fed daily. To be most effective, Diatomaceous Earth should be fed for at least 30 days, to catch all newly hatching eggs or the cycling of the worms through the lungs and back to the stomach.
Another use for Diatomaceous Earth is the control of external parasites and flies. This is achieved by dusting your dog with Diatomacous Earth, along with his bedding area and surrounding carpeted areas.
Other Uses
Diatomaceous Earth has also been reported in scientific literature to absorb methyl mercury, e-coli, endotoxins, viruses, organophosphate pesticide residues, drug resides, and protein, perhaps even the proteinaceous toxins produced by some intestinal infections. Given this, Diatomaceous Earth is very useful as a detox solution, digestive aid and colon cleanser.
Dosage
For dogs, use one tablespoon per day in his food for dogs over 55 lbs. and one teaspoon per day for small dogs and puppies. For external parasite control, simply rub the powder at full strength into the coat for fleas and sprinkle on bedding.
Hi Dogs Naturally, I have heard of the great benefits of D.earth and am keen to use it on my pup instead of conventional worming. I am adopting a puppy in a months time from a breeder, she will be 8 weeks of old at that stage and will have been wormed at 6 weeks by the breeder (unavoidable). The breeder will recommend I give her the second worming dose again in 6 weeks to kill off the second generation of worms. I wanted to replace this instead with a natural treatment. I have ordered two herb combos from Lyndall at Canine Vitality, one is a stronger treatment and the other milder one is to be used in between. I also have a homeopathic wormer that the homeopath told me to add to her water daily. I would like to add the D.earth in there somewhere as I have heard that natural treatments don’t work as well on worms in puppies. But Canine Vitality has told me it may not be a good idea to give the homeopath, herbs and d.earth. What do you recommend? Should I just do one treatment of the d.earth at 12 weeks? And once the herbs are finished do you think I should continue with a maintenance of d.earth and if so do I have to give it daily (it seems like a lot of work to give daily) or can I just give it every few months for a few days? Thankyou in advance.
I think I would do the DE first as it is the least invasive, and if that doesn’t work, move to the homeopathic combination, then if that doesn’t work, to move to the herbs (because the herbs can be a wee bit harsh on the liver). You can also try ground pumpkin seed with the DE. Because the puppy is conventionally raised, run regular fecals to see how these are working but if you hold off on the vaccination schedule and don’t feed a processed diet, then her immune system should do a good job at keeping those herbs at bay
Thankyou. So what amounts of the pumpkin seeds and DE should I use and for how long, and do I give it daily?
For those who have posted questions pertaining to Giardia. The best solution I have found is Colloidal Silver. it is safe for humans and animals. Look up dosage amounts on the net according to whatever ailment you need it for. I personally use one that is made in Australia as this is where I live. It’s easy to buy online, most brands are effective.
Will DE kill heart worms and larvae
No it won’t. Beware that anything that is toxic to heartworms is also toxic to your dog!
Sorry, that is not a reasonable response. Naclo2 will knock out those heart worms with no side effects at all.
If using it in the garden, do you put a certain amount in the ground with the seeds or plants or do you spread it on the plants after they come up.
If I dust the dog with it….then she cuddles with the cats who may lick and ‘groom’ her …is it harmful for them to ingest ?
It’s not good if it’s inhaled.
So glad I found this article! Just brought my 11 weeks old puppy to his well check and they told me they recommend deworming him even if his stool comes back no worms. I hate putting toxic parasite stuff in my baby but I also have 3 small kids and I guess they can have eye issues if they catch the infestation. I am definitely going to get this stuff!! Anyone used it on a puppy before on here?
Jess
Yes! Just make sure it’s mixed well with the food as the dust can cause lung irritation.
Just got it in mail and added it to some of his food very well mixed in. He gobbled it down! Should I give this to him all year round? Should I only give in the colder months when I am not using heartguard?
Hi Jess
I’m a small breeder, started raw feeding and no toxins 3 years ago. Once pups can eat I mix a tsp of DE with minced meat and a drop of water and they get a meat ball each day, it can take 4 to 6 weeks to work.
Make sure its pharmaceutical grade and check out Wolf Creeks website.
However if the stool check comes back clear theres no need to bother
Alison
this diatonacious earth sounds great for flea prevention. does bentonite or green clay powder work too?
Bentonite and other clays do not work like DE will
I personally take 1 heaping tbs of Red Lake DE w/calcium bentonite in water every night before bed. My cats, dogs and horses all receive some as well of varying dosages. I feel the combination of both products act as a wonderful mineral supplement along with a gentle detox. I’ve warded off every cold or virus that’s passed by me this past winter as well, so I feel its boosted my immune system too.
hi Karryn
I live in SA and can supply you with food grade diatomaceous earth, fantastic product, I became a believer after purchasing a very large quantiy and used so little to get rid of fleas and ants, it worked amazingly, i now sell it in many different quantities, contact me on 072 229 3092
Cindy
Karyn – I order thru here: http://www.theholistichorse.com/
But…they state “We only ship to the contiguous United States and it’s territories.” They have a link for Canadian orders, though.
Holistic Horse website also states: “When insects come in contact with the tiny particles of Perma-Guard’s Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth, they pierce the exoskeleton of the worms…..”. Perma-Guard’s website lists a lot of suppliers outside of the US…don’t know if any of them ship to your area. Here’s the link:
http://www.perma-guard.com/
I live in South Africa – where could I get it here?
Hello!
DE is great stuff! I give it to my horse, dogs, cats & husband! Folks have reported that they feel more energy, it has lowered their cholesterol & their high blood pressure! After all of the research I have done on it, I have decided to sell it. I insist on quality ‘Food Grade’ Diatomaceous Earth. It sells for $10.00 a pound. I will be happy to ship it to anyone who is interested. My email address is Likazoo1@yahoo.com
Keep up the good work & God Bless!
CJ
I just started dusting one of my dogs with this for her dem. mange. We do it outside and I sprinkle it close to her body. She gives a nice shake afterwards and trots away. I have given it to all my pups routinely and have never had a problem with internal parasites. I take it too as it is a good source of silica.
I always thought that the food and garden type were the same. I know that the pool grade is different but the other two feel the same. Clarification? Thank you.
There are both Food Grade and Dusting Grade DE. Not sure of difference but they are marketed as such. I have purchased both. I put the food grade in pellet/warm water mash for my laying hens and scoop into their “trough” type feeders. I also have the Dusting grade to add to their dust-bath area of their pen. I have also used the food grade DE with 2 sheep I was raising for the freezer whose manure samples showed evidence of worms. I would bring a sample to have tested each month. Using this every day in their grain, 30 days later no sign of worms. Didn’t make a believer out of my vet as “stool sample is so small it may have not contained evidence of worms”…but I kept feeding it to them for their duration and felt good about it. And as Robin says…keep it close to the food when adding, and gently rub around if adding to hair coat. It’s very fine white power similar to baby power consistency.
Everyone should be cautious when using this as a dust – it can harm lungs if breathed in. Don’t panic about this, just use a bit of caution for both you and your dog when you are spreading it around.
I’ve had better luck with Bentonite Clay (and Grapefruit Seed Extract) for Giardia
It’s better for worms – and tapeworms sometimes require the addition of wormwood or similar herbs.
Does this work for Giardia too?
I have a question about this as I was thinking about getting it for my dogs as dont like the idea of chemicals that the vets use. I read on another site that it is only effective if it is dry , they had advocated sprinkling it around the garden to control fleas. Now, if this is so, how does it work inside the body , definately not a dry area. Thanks . Julie
It will actually work in your garden as a spray as well. The microscopic shards themselves do not break down in water, so it works either way.