1) Stray baby kittens with fleas have just adopted me. How old do they need to be to treat with DE?
2) What are the recommended internal dosages for dogs and cats?
3) I have rabbits, guinea pigs, and goats. What other pets besides dogs and cats can be treated with DE?
4) What do the English call small black cats?
5) My dog has very sensitive skin. Will this powder cause dry skin?
6) I keep reading about all the benefits for humans. Why isn't this mentioned on the label?
7) Which side of a chicken has the most feathers?
8) I understand how DE kills fleas and mites on pets, but how does it kill internal parasites?
9) We have a horrible problem here with (ants, silverfish, fire ants, bedbugs, bees, mice, rats, etc.) What other pests besides fleas will DE eliminate?
10) Why did the chicken cross the playground?
11) What is your position regarding "spot on" flea repellants?
1) Stray baby kittens with fleas have just adopted me. How old do they need to be to treat with DE?
We recommend using DE on pets 8 weeks of age or older. Before that time their respiratory, circulatory, nervous, and immune systems are not fully developed. This said, we know of individuals, especially those involved in feral rescue, who use DE much earlier. They believe that if left untreated, the animal will contact parvo, and be more apt to result in death.
2) What are the recommended internal dosages for dogs and cats?
DE is used internally for two reasons: first for immune system support and second as a dewormer.
With daily feeding, DE should eliminate most worms within a week to 10 days.
It doesn't affect eggs, but it will kill the hatchlings.
An additional 30 to 60 days are needed to ensure destroying any newly hatched eggs.
DE is neutral tasting.
Mix with wet food or water once a day.
Puppies and kittens may prefer it mixed with milk.
Kittens: 1/2 teaspoon
Cats and Puppies: 1/2 - 1 teaspoon
Dogs under 35 lbs: 1 teaspoon
Dogs 35 - 50 lbs: 2 teaspoons
Dogs over 50 lbs: 1 tablespoon
Dogs over 100 lbs: 2 tablespoons
Poultry: Mix with feed at a 2% concentration
3) I have rabbits, guinea pigs, and goats. What other pets besides dogs and cats can be treated with DE?
All of the above, plus poultry, alpacas, llamas, horses, and other livestock. There has been discussion about using DE internally for goats. Some owners find it works and others don't. There is little information available about using DE on reptiles. I would rather err on the side of caution until more is known and not use DE on reptiles.
4) What do the English call small black cats?
KITTENS!
5) My dog has very sensitive skin. Will this powder cause dry skin?
Some dog and cat breeds have much drier skin than others. Nutrition can further exacerbate this condition. If your pet has extremely dry skin do a "patch test" first to determine how their skin reacts to DE.
6) I keep reading about all the benefits for humans. Why isn't this mentioned on the label?
EPA labeling regulations are extremely restrictive about what is allowed (as well as what must appear) on a label when it is used as an insecticide. That aside, almost everyone in our office, lab, and warehouse takes a teaspoon or more of DE in a glass of water or juice every day. Most of us take it for four reasons: 1) we spend time around a variety of animals, 2) we travel to foreign countries, 3) we spend much time outside in the garden and 4) as a mineral additive, the high concentration of silica is great for our skin, hair, and nails.
7) Which side of a chicken has the most feathers?
The OUTSIDE!
8) I understand how DE kills fleas and mites on pets, but how does it kill internal parasites?
There are two schools of thought on how this works. The first is that it kills internally the same as externally, that is by absorbing lipids from the waxy outer layer of the insect's exoskeleton, causing them to dehydrate.
The second, and the one I tend to favor, is that the alkaline ph level, combined with the high concentration of minerals, drives the parasites out of the body looking for more favorable surroundings.
9) We have a horrible problem here with (ants, silverfish, fire ants, bedbugs, bees, mice, rats, etc.) What other pests besides fleas will DE eliminate?
DE eliminates most crawling insects and pests. It is not effective against most flying insects, as the DE falls off when flying. Still, we don't recommend using it near honeybees or ladybugs. When fed internallly or sprinkled on the ground, farmers report fewer flies as it dries the manure quicker.
10) Why did the chicken cross the playground?
To get to the other SLIDE!
11) What is your position regarding "spot on" flea repellants?
This question requires a more extensive answer than can be conveyed here. There are numerous reports from the EPA and the American Vererinary Medical Association regarding their investigations of Spot-On Flea and Tick Treatments. It is our belief that treating with elements derived from nature is better for pets and people. We want to create health without undesirable side effects.