Where To Apply Peppermint Oil For Constipation

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Fleas are common parasites for pets, so it's a good idea to be ready with an effective treatment to fight them if they pop up. There are both chemical and natural flea prevention options available for getting rid of fleas. However, natural treatments tend to be gentler on your pet and your home. Peppermint oil may be helpful for controlling fleas in your home, but talk to your vet to make sure it's safe first.

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Talk to your veterinarian about whether peppermint oil is safe for your pet. Essential oils can be toxic to some pets, such as cats. This is especially true when they are not diluted enough or if they are ingested by an animal with a weak immune system. Talk to your doctor about your pet's health and about your specific plan for treatment in order to ensure that you can safely use essential oils on your pet.^[1]
- Your veterinarian can help you assess whether peppermint oil is safe. They may also be able to suggest how best to apply it and what to dilute it with.
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Purchase peppermint oil. Peppermint oil can be found at all natural food stores. It can also be purchased through many online natural product retailers. Make sure to get 100% pure peppermint oil so that you can make your own diffusions.^[2]
- Pure peppermint oil is made by pressing the oil out of peppermint leaves.
- Though peppermint does not kill full-grown fleas, it helps in restricting their attack on pets. One way it does this is by killing the larvae of fleas, which are more vulnerable.
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3
Make a peppermint oil solution. Mix 12 parts carrier oil, such as grapeseed oil, with 1 part peppermint oil. For instance, combine 12 tablespoons of grapeseed oil with 1 tablespoon of peppermint oil. Ensure that the solution is stirred or shaken together well before using it on your pet.^[3]
- Shake the solution before each use, as the parts will separate when not in use.
- A little of this solution will go a long way, so there's no need to make a batch that takes more than a tablespoon of peppermint oil.
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Dab the oil mixture on your pet. Soak a cotton ball or pad with your peppermint oil mixture. Pick the spots that your pet has been itching and then separate the fur in that area with your fingers. Pat the cotton ball or pad directly onto the pet's skin.^[4]
- Put it on any affected areas, which typically includes the animal's neck and back. These are spots most pets can't easily groom, so they tend to be where fleas congregate.
- The oil can also help soothe any itching or discomfort your pet has because of the flea bites.
5
Apply the oil mixture to your dog's collar. Put some of the solution on a small pad or cotton ball and then dab it onto your pet's collar. The oil mixture will absorb into the collar, giving your pet some protection from a flea infestation.^[5]
- The smell of the peppermint will help keep fleas from being attracted to your dog.
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1

Talk to your veterinarian about whether to use peppermint oil in your home. Some pets, such as cats, may respond negatively to peppermint oil in their environment. Talk to your vet about how you plan to use peppermint oil and whether it could pose any health risks to your pet.^[6]
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Make a mixture of peppermint oil and water. Combine 12 parts water with 1 part peppermint oil. You only need a small amount of peppermint oil to make the surfaces of your home unattractive to fleas, so you don't need to make it too strong.
- Peppermint oil has an anti-larval action when applied to household surfaces. It makes the surfaces uninhabitable to the flea larvae.^[7]
3
Put the mixture in a spray bottle. It's easiest to apply the mixture by spraying a light mist over the entire surface you are trying to protect. Use an all-purpose sprayer, which are typically available at all hardware and big box stores.^[8]
- Label the bottle so that you know what is in it and so that you can use the mixture again in the future.
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Mist any surfaces that can get slightly wet. Hold the spray bottle a 2–3 feet (0.61–0.91 m) away from each surface. Cover the entire surface with a light covering of the solution. Then let it dry naturally before touching the surfaces.
- Surfaces to spray include your carpet, fabric covered furniture, and any areas that the pet spends a lot of time in.
- The water will evaporate quickly after you spray it around your home, leaving behind only the peppermint oil.
- Be cautious about spraying the mixture on surfaces that can't have any moisture on them, such as leather surfaces.
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Reapply the mixture every few days. The peppermint spray will only work to deter fleas for a few days, so reapply the spray often. This will help you to control fleas on an ongoing basis.^[9]

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1

Discuss the use of peppermint oil with your veterinarian. There are some common pets, such as cats, that may not respond well to peppermint oil in their environment. Ask your vet about how and if you can use peppermint oil safely for flea control.^[10]
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Soak a cotton pad or ball with pure peppermint oil. You should put enough oil on so that the pad or ball is saturated but not dripping. If you put too much on, let any extra oil drip off before proceeding.^[11]
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Place the sachet in your vacuum canister or bag. It doesn't matter what type of vacuum you have. You simply need to drop it in the collection vessel so that whatever is sucked in there will be exposed to the oil.^[12]
- The pad or ball will get dirty as you use the vacuum but the peppermint oil will continue to work.
4
Vacuum the affected areas in the house daily. Vacuum all surfaces, including all creases and hidden areas of your furniture and carpeting. This will help you to suck the flea egg and larva from your home.^[13]
- Once the fleas and larvae are in the vacuum canister, they will be killed by the high level of peppermint oil inside.
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Replace the pad when you empty out your vacuum. Empty out your vacuum whenever it becomes full. However, replace the pad or ball so that you continue to make the vacuum container uninhabitable to fleas.^[14]
- Refresh the peppermint oil in your vacuum canister or bag if you haven't used your vacuum in a while.
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Question

Will regular peppermint oil work to kill fleas?

Chris Parker is the Founder of Parker Eco Pest Control, a sustainable pest control service based in Seattle. He is a certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator in Washington State and received his BA from the University of Washington in 2012.

Founder, Parker Eco Pest Control

Expert Answer

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It's more effective if you buy a blend of essential oils that are specifically formulated as an insecticide. You can use it on your baseboards, carpet, and places like that. However, do not put it directly onto your pet—essential oils can be toxic to animals.
Question

Can I put peppermint oil directly on dogs skin?

I wouldn't advise this due to some concentrations of peppermint oil being quite strong, enough to give a human's skin a "burning" feeling. Check the recipes given here and mix as instructed.
Question

Is peppermint safe and effective to use on cats?

Peppermint oil is toxic to cats, and should not be used anywhere on their bodies where they can lick it off.
Question

I no longer have a cat, but I still have lots of fleas in my basement. They bite me every time I go down to do laundry. Since peppermint is safe to put on animals, could I spray some peppermint on my ankles and calves to keep the fleas off of me?

I would put a few drops of essential pepperment oil in a carrier such as coconut oil then apply it to my skin. Essential oils need to be diluted before being applied topically.
Question

Can you use mint bought in a grocery store instead of peppermint in the flea recipe?

You should use peppermint. All herbs and mints are different. You can get a fairly large bottle of peppermint oil from an online retailer like Amazon. Also, you can buy peppermint plants to plant inside and out at a home improvement store. Peppermint also repels spiders, ants, mosquitoes, and mice.
Question

Can peppermint poison my dog if he licks it?

Natural tick and flea repellants can be toxic if ingested. The safest method is to apply peppermint oil to a collar (which is hard for your pet to get at with his mouth).
Question

Will peppermint spirits work?

SGrosjean

Community Answer

Yes. Peppermint spirits are typically a combination of leaf extracts and oil, which will control fleas.
Question

How can I get rid of roaches?

Try an insect trap. You place them all around your home and you never see roaches again.
Question

What ingredient is good for bathing a 3 week old puppy?

Warm water. That's it. You really shouldn't use anything else with anything that young.
Question

What can I use on my cat if not pure peppermint extract for fleas?

Diatomaceous earth, food grade. Use caution when applying it so you and the animal do not breathe in the dust, but this will kill fleas on the pet and you can use it on their bedding and your furniture, leaving it on a day and then vacuuming it well. Sprinkle around baseboards and around the outside of your house and in your lawn where your pets tend to play most. It kills fleas by scratching the outside of their bodies and causing them to dehydrate.

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You need to be careful when using essential oils on your pets, as they can be toxic to some animals, such as cats. If you use them, be sure that they are highly diluted and that you stay on the lookout for signs of toxicity, such as shortness of breath, vomiting, drooling, and tremors. If you see any of these problems, take your pet to a veterinarian immediately.^[15]

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Before applying peppermint oil to your pet to control fleas, talk to your vet about whether this is a safe option. Purchase pure peppermint oil, which can be found at most natural food stores. Then, make a dilution of the oil by combining 12 parts carrier oil, such as grapeseed oil, and 1 part peppermint oil. Soak a cotton ball with the diluted oil, and then dab the cotton ball onto your pet's back, neck, and anywhere it is itching. You can also dab some of the oil onto the inside of the animal's collar to repel fleas. For tips on spraying peppermint oil in your house or vacuuming with a peppermint sachet, read on!

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