Sunday, August 18, 2019

How to get rid of fleas naturally with Brewers Yeast / Nutritional Yeast


UPDATE 10-8-19: After using this on my cats for a few weeks, I can confirm: This stuff REALLY WORKS!!!

Around this time, last year, my cat Bert developed an abscess on his neck that I believe was from constantly scratching his neck because of fleas (I was taking care of my stepmom with late stage pancreatic cancer, and because I was barely home (and super stressed out), I didn't notice that he had this abscess until it got really bad). It completely cleared up with Kangen 2.5 pH hypochlorous acid (you can see the story, HERE), but I was still left with the issue of, how do I stop the fleas from biting in the first place?

I stopped giving the cats Advantage since I'd read that cats over the age of 10, tend to be more susceptible to cancer, when they are exposed to Advantage.  My cat Setzer (who'd had a LOT of advantage applied to his neck, in his lifetime) died from lymphoma at the age of 16, and I always wondered about the connection. He got a HORRIBLE reaction when I tried using frontline. I also have concerns that me and my family could be absorbing those toxins when we pet the cats. So I have been looking for alternative options.

In 2014, I bought some natural flea spray for my cats, and my cat Mummie, who had kidney issues, licked it off her fur and got VERY sick. She died less than a week later. I really believe that flea spray made her more sick. I believe the kidney issues were brought on partly because I bought cheap

I've tried other things, including diatomaceous earth, which was somewhat helpful (it definitely helps to kill fleas on floors), but ultimately, the cats don't particularly like it, and it makes their fur and skin very dry. It's also bad for them to inhale it.

A friend told me a few years ago that Nutritional yeast helps to repel fleas (thanks for the tip, Monica)!  I couldn't tell a huge difference with my cats but I pesonally LOVED the stuff. Recently I decided to look it up on Amazon to see if there was a brand preferred by cat owners, and found this one. I started giving a teaspoon in my cats food and it really does seem to make a difference! The last time I flea combed them, they barely had any fleas!

I think I had a hard time believing it worked, at first, because it sounded too good to be true. But I googled it, and the reason it works is because fleas do not like the taste of nutritional yeast, so they'll look elsewhere.

From EarthEasy.com:
Fleas particularly dislike the flavor of garlic and yeast (nutritional or brewer's yeast). Mixing yeast with your pet's food can render their blood unpalatable to fleas. ...   Use about a teaspoon of unprocessed brewer's (or nutritionalyeast daily for cats and small dogs, and a tablespoon for a 50-pound dog.   (Note: I removed the part where they recommended adding garlic.... since garlic is toxic for cats).

I think I probably just wasn't using enough of the last brand I bought (which was just like a small shaker jar).

This is the brand I bought. Had to share what these people said about this stuff, when given to their cats.



Solgar – Brewer’s Yeast Powder, 14 Ounce – Supports Heart Health and Digestion












Showing 11-13 of 13 reviews(containing "cat"). Clear filter

July 29, 2014
I sprinkle this on my cats soft food in the AM. They LOVE this stuff and will stick their face in the container to get more. Its good to keep fleas off my guys.
September 29, 2017
yum, lots of energy. good product. my cat likes too.
January 6, 2014
Always like this brand.

I use brewers yeast for myself and the cats who get it in their food- prevents fleas.

Again thank ;you for handling this product.

2 people found this helpful



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Showing 1-10 of 13 reviews(containing "cat"). Clear filter

June 30, 2017
This has done wonders for my older cat. She had become a house cat exclusively the last couple of years and rarely went out. After 2 or so weeks of giving her half a teaspoon of this in her wet food every morning she began to go outside again and now I can hardly keep her in. She must have not been getting enough vitamins in her regular can and dry food. Her energy levels is greatly improved from giving her this. I was really surprised. My younger two males cats will not eat this in their food. They must not like the taste.

3 people found this helpful



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January 24, 2015
My cats beg for this daily . . . I appreciate the fineness of the granules. GREAT NATURAL flea and bug repellant and it works!!

16 people found this helpful



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March 7, 2017
My previously (for seven years) finicky cat now eats with enthusiasm because of a liberal sprinkle of this on his food. For both my cats it has the effect of making their canned food much more appetizing. It's wonderful.

3 people found this helpful



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November 19, 2015
This Brewers Yeast Power by Solgar is great to sprinkle on my cats' food. They all love it. I love it with milk. Brewers Yeast used to taste awful. But now there is Solgar and when you mix it up with milk, it seems delicious. I understand you can use it with juice too, but I enjoy it in my milk.

3 people found this helpful



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September 20, 2016
Love to take brewers yeast for my hair and skin, my pets love it too sprinkled on their food. This brand is easy to mix with water and drink not bitter like another brand I tried. I always feel like I have more energy when I drink this and can tell the difference when I don't. If you are not used to taking it , it might give you gas at first but that will go away with continued use. I also take it to keep the mosquitoes off me and it does seem to work , my friends will get bit like crazy and I won't have any. But I drink this every morning. I think it keeps the bugs off my pets too they are mostly indoors but like to go outside and play in the grass on occasion which I hate for them to do but they like it. I have a cat and a ferret and I always check them for bugs after they have been outside but they have never gotten any. The ferret could get heartworm from a mosquito bite and it would kill her.I give her this to keep them away. I also sprinkle them both with diatomaceous earth rubbed into their fur before they get to go outside and between that with the brewers yeast they have never had a bug or flea on them without chemical repellents that I feel are unsafe. Their fur is super soft also and they hardly shed.

2 people found this helpful



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May 3, 2016
Got this for my friend's cat, flea meds caused him to loose his hair and he's showing improvement and it's great nutrition!

One person found this helpful



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April 10, 2018
originally bought for my cat to prevent fleas, but every time I put some in her food I can't help but give myself some too haha
July 29, 2017
Very little residual taste in the lactation cookies I made with this. My friend absolutely loved them and even her husband said he couldn't taste the yeast. Also, my cats apparently loved this, too. I came downstairs to the container chewed open.

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June 5, 2014
it's tasteless, has no odor and is high quality. I feed it to my outdoor cats who need this ingredient in their diet in the summer. Highly recommend this product over the cat/dog one that is flavored with garlic and is NOT designed for cats.
August 15, 2016
Great price/product. I use this to make treats for my puppy along with a few other ingredients because I heard it's a great repellent and I don't want to use any of those harmful topical treatments. So I love that so far so good no fleas and she goes outside very often, like 5 times I day where other cats dogs animals have been in the neighborhood when we go on our walks. So far it's working so I would buy this again.
review imagereview image




I'm also pasting all the reviews with the word "fleas" in them, and will even include the negative reviews, so you can judge for yourself. In my opinion, it was WELL WORTH IT to at least try this tuff. Really does seem to help my cats. 


FILTERED BY
containing "fleas"Clear filter
25 global reviews
This filter only shows ratings with reviews.

From the United States

Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2019
Helped so much with my supply and gettinf that boost when I need it! I also noticed it helped me feel so much better the days I took it.
I would mix 2 TBS in some vanilla almond milk and eventually got used to the taste as I chugged it. I also have put it in my smoothies and in brownies I make!

This is by far the best brand of brewers yeast!

I also noticed I stopped getting bit (grass fleas/mosquitos) while I was taking this!

I think this works 100% better than the tablets too!
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2015
My cats beg for this daily . . . I appreciate the fineness of the granules. GREAT NATURAL flea and bug repellant and it works!!
16 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2020
Love this yeast.

Yeast is healthy, has natural amino acids, vitamins. It keeps fleas, other bugs from biting you.
I also take vitamin B-1, B-12.
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2020
I actually get it for my cats. It's a natural flea repellent...the public rarely knows this and buys exoense harmful products...and the cats like a tiny bit sprinkled on their food. It's also nutritionally good for them. I should use it too!
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2016
I use this for my horses and dogs during flea and tick season. Works great as a natural alternative when combined with garlic.

No toxins for my family
4 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2019
Great natural supplement full of B vitamins etc. Also give to my 4 dogs in food to discourage fleas!!!
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2016
Love to take brewers yeast for my hair and skin, my pets love it too sprinkled on their food. This brand is easy to mix with water and drink not bitter like another brand I tried. I always feel like I have more energy when I drink this and can tell the difference when I don't. If you are not used to taking it , it might give you gas at first but that will go away with continued use. I also take it to keep the mosquitoes off me and it does seem to work , my friends will get bit like crazy and I won't have any. But I drink this every morning. I think it keeps the bugs off my pets too they are mostly indoors but like to go outside and play in the grass on occasion which I hate for them to do but they like it. I have a cat and a ferret and I always check them for bugs after they have been outside but they have never gotten any. The ferret could get heartworm from a mosquito bite and it would kill her.I give her this to keep them away. I also sprinkle them both with diatomaceous earth rubbed into their fur before they get to go outside and between that with the brewers yeast they have never had a bug or flea on them without chemical repellents that I feel are unsafe. Their fur is super soft also and they hardly shed.
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2017
Didn't work in general. Does not work on fleas either. Maybe bad batch.
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2018
originally bought for my cat to prevent fleas, but every time I put some in her food I can't help but give myself some too haha
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2016
Got this for my friend's cat, flea meds caused him to loose his hair and he's showing improvement and it's great nutrition!
One person found this helpful
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From the United States

Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2017
Really like the results for my dogs, less fleas and they don't mind the tast when I mix it in with their food.
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2014
I'm using this on my kitties--in their fur and food, to repel fleas! They actually LOVE the taste. Just the sight of the canister makes them purr.
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2016
Great price/product. I use this to make treats for my puppy along with a few other ingredients because I heard it's a great repellent and I don't want to use any of those harmful topical treatments. So I love that so far so good no fleas and she goes outside very often, like 5 times I day where other cats dogs animals have been in the neighborhood when we go on our walks. So far it's working so I would buy this again.
review imagereview image
4 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2015
Purchased this to help control pet fleas naturally. Amazed at the results!
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2014
I give it to my dogs in they food (one teaspoon per day) and it helps with fleas and ticks and it's good for them. Love it!
52 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2015
Great product, good packaging. Not sure if I should refrigerate or not. With most yeasts you refrigerate after opening but this does not say yes or no. I use this with coconut oil for flea prevention with my dogs. They love the treat.
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2016
I have been using this brand for years and have only seen one flea on my dog. I just add a smidgen of brewer's yeast to his food daily, and voila!
4 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2014
Excellent natural flea retardant/provides BVits for my pooch. Just a little powder on his food daily and he loves it!
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2016
Tastes bad even with the smallest dose. Trying it as a flea repellent for my yorkie and he is not a fan of the taste either.
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2013
Got this to give to my dog (about 1/2 tsp/day, 45 lb. dog), because he had fleas and I read that fleas are discouraged by the smell (so fleas have noses?) of a dog who's eaten brewer's yeast. Gave him a flea bath too, but I read that doesn't always do the trick; maybe the brewer's yeast is working, because it's been a couple of months and the fleas haven't returned.

I also remembered that years ago I used to love brewer's yeast on popcorn (along with butter, salt, and sometimes cheese). I'd tried this with a couple of different kinds of brewer's yeast in recent years, and didn't like it. This yeast tastes great, though, just like what I remember, and I am now re-addicted to brewer's yeast popcorn.

As far as health benefits, I've read some conflicting views on that - not everyone thinks it's great that way. But it's a non-chemical flea preventative AND a delicious snack ingredient, so what's not to like!
3 people found this helpful
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FILTERED BY
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25 global reviews
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From the United States

Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2015
I heard Brewers yeast was good for getting rid of fleas in conjunction with other measures. I have yet to see any difference. My dog still has fleas with no change. Sad to say this product did not work for him!
4 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2014
I sprinkle this on my cats soft food in the AM. They LOVE this stuff and will stick their face in the container to get more. Its good to keep fleas off my guys.
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2016
Added to my dog's food. He doesn't really care for the taste, but it is helping with flea control.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2016
So far I have been very happy with this product. I originally purchased it to bake into my lactation cookies for new mom's and was pleased that several of my recipes were able to use the full amounts listed in the ingredients and the cookies did NOT have a bitter taste as I have read that many other Brewer's Yeast product have. BIG YEAH!!

Also, I used several teaspoons of this on my dog food, as I heard it could get rid of fleas naturally, and while my dog didn't enjoy eating it, it has appeared to have gotten rid of our flea problem. YEAH AGAIN!! I will purchase this product and brand again.
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2014
Always like this brand.

I use brewers yeast for myself and the cats who get it in their food- prevents fleas.

Again thank ;you for handling this product.
2 people found this helpful
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This brand had some good reviews also. Not all, but mostly.

Anthony's Brewer's Yeast, 1lbs, Made in USA, Gluten Free












Showing 1-5 of 5 reviews(containing "cats"). Clear filter

February 17, 2019
I bought this because I read in multiple places that brewer's yeast as a pet food supplement is supposed to help keep fleas at bay. Not only does it seem to do that, but it seems to have had a positive effect on their coats. We have three cats and a 65-pound Yellow Lab. The dog's coat was a bit on the coarse side but has gotten noticeably smoother. Now, we DID also change flavors of Taste of the Wild dog food, BUT we noticed a change for the better in at least one of the cats, too, while the cats have been on the same diet the entire time.

Of note is that the zip-lock seal on the bag worked as well on the day we threw it away as it did the day we opened it. When you consider that we used only 2 tsp for the dog and 1 1/2 tsp for the three cats (3 1/2 tsp total) each time we opened the bag, that's a lot of opening and resealing that went on over the life of the product. Most zip-lock mechanisms break down with much less use -- and this was still solid in the end. This is very important for powders that are typically used in small quantities and might absorb enough humidity to cause spoilage. Of course, you could always use another container, but isn't having that other container an added expense (and permanent space-taker)?

November 16, 2018
Great natural flea repellent. My cats love it in their food.

One person found this helpful



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August 28, 2018
I add it to my cat's food and they don't have fleas any more.

One person found this helpful



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August 14, 2018
Brewers yeast has Chromium and Selenium in it naturally. Nothing is added to this powdered product. So chromium is not listed, but its a natural occurring in all brewers yeast. Google it, as I did. This product tastes good as far as Brewers yeast goes. I also like Trader Joe's Brewers yeast flakes, taste wise. I purchased oneBY product that I did not like, so I use it in smoothies, and its fine. This product tastes fine sprinkled on salads etc... I add it to my home made coconut Cacao balls I make with shred coconut, raw honey, & flax seeds, a healthy sweet treat! My cat also loves his daily dose of BY powder. He will turn his nose up at some that I've purchased. Yes, he meows and drives me crazy if he doesn't get his teaspoon a day... ;-0

5 people found this helpful



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Friday, June 7, 2019

Kittens from Hawai'i - Smudge and Smidge



Meet Smidge and Smudge!

These two sweet little kittens are from Hawai'i.
My sister wanted to help them to find a good home, and I agreed to help her, so... here they are. You can hear more of the story of how she came to foster these kittens, if you scroll down the page. If you read the story, you will understand why I want to find a really good home for these guys.  








Thanks to Lucy at Whis-Purr rescue, Smidge and Smudge are staying at Whis-Purr Rescue's Facility in Redwood City, at the old Peninsula Feed Store (which used to be San Mateo Feed and Pet Supply, Inc). We are so grateful for this! Whis-Purr Rescue is a wonderful nonprofit that has won the "Best of Redwood City" award, 5 years in a row! 





Now that Smidge and Smudge have been spayed and neutered, they are ready for adoption! If you'd like to visit them, you can visit them at Whis-Purr Rescue's adoption facility, at the Peninsula Feed Store.


Address346 El Camino Real, Redwood City, CA 94062
Hours
Open ⋅ Closes 6PM



You can contact Whis-Purr rescue on this page: http://whis-purr.org/contact-us

You can view Whis-Purr Rescue's Kitty Cams on this page: http://whis-purr.org/whis-purr-kitty-cams


And here's a video:





















Here's the story of why my sister wanted to help find a good home for Smidge and Smudge (I posted this on 6-7-19).



These two sweet little kittens are Fresh off the Plane from Hawai'i! They are about 12- 14 weeks old, weigh about four pounds each and have hearty appetites.

The reason I have these guys is, my sister recently had a traumatic experience, when she gave away 2 kittens (not these) that my Mom had found on a farm. She had lovingly fostered those super-cute kittens for months, posted their photos on Craigslist, and was contacted by a woman who said all the right things (that cats are like family, she would never separate them, that she could care for the female who tested positive for FIV). Despite reading that you shouldn't give away kittens to a free home, she felt awkward and bad about charing any kind of fee to this woman who SOUNDED sincere, and was saying all the right things.

So, she trusted this woman, let her have the kittens, and unfortunately, as it turned out, the woman was an irresponsible liar. She turned cold once she got the kittens, was reluctant to share any pics, she didn't actually take the kittens to a vet, and when she got tired of them, she ended up supposedly giving them away though evidence suggests they were dumped, and that the girl kitten soon died.  Luckily, the brother was found by a little boy, who's Grandma agreed to keep the kitty.

My sister was traumatized by all of this, to say the least. I assured her that it wasn't her fault - a lot of people must make this mistake, not wanting to charge any money for a cat or a kitten. It's just an awkward situation, if you're doing the adoption all by yourself - especially if you don't have a lot of experience.

Unfortunately, the word FREE tends to attract a lot of people who just do not take the adoption process seriously. Free Cat ads can attract a LOT of RIFF RAFF!

It kind of reminds me of how, on my 31st birthday, I was at a Free Club - the Holy Cow in San Francisco.  I had gone there for many years, and loved it. My old roomates owned the place, and it was my go-to spot for good dance music. They didn't charge a cover, so it was always packed.

Well, while I was dancing with my boyfriend, a young woman came along and stole my purse with my brand new camera in it. The woman who stole my purse ended up using my ID at a liquor store to buy $200 worth of booze with a bunch of her friends, giggling and telling the owner it was her birthday. The cops couldn't do anything about it.  I was incensed.

Jeff, my old roommate, told me they had been getting so many burglaries, they decided to implement a VERY low cover fee -like 2 or 3 bucks. It was so low, you'd think it wouldn't make a difference, but guess what? Jeff told me that, since they started charging this very nominal cover fee, the burglaries and police reports became almost non existent!

I can't help but thinking of this story, when I think of what happened to my sister. Maybe this isn't the case for every person, but a lot of irresponsible people do not want to cough up one dime. They just want things handed to them. They use people. They use cats. And you need to take measures to NOT adopt your cats to them!!!

I feel extremely lucky to have been able to work with rescue organizations like the Homeless Cat Network and other groups, that have offered to oversee the adoption process. They treat cat adoptions as if they were CHILD adoptions, and in my opinion, this is just how it SHOULD be. These are registered organizations that can legally charge a nominal fee that often doesn't even cover the cost of getting the cat fixed, getting all their shots, making sure they're well fed, etc..  But at least it's something that helps to offset a small percentage of the costs involved in finding a good home for a kitten. And the most important thing is, that $75 (or so) fee can be a help in determining who is really going to really step it up and care for a cat in the long term.

The unfortunate reality is, Hawai'i just doesn't have the same resources that we do, here in California. She knows I've had really good luck with finding great homes for cats and kittens in the past (partly because I'm willing to wait to find the perfect situation).

My sister decided to turn this awful experience into something positive, and she reached out to other people on craigslist who were offering FREE KITTENS like she was. She let them know about her own experience, and ended up rescuing a few pairs of kittens for people, and was determined to help them to get good homes.

She asked if it would be possible for me to bring a couple of kittens with her when she came up here for a visit, and I said sure, because I wanted her to be able to have a good adoption experience, to make up for that last one. I've had good luck with adoptions, and over a decade ago, I helped her to find a good home for a different cat that she flew up here, from Hawai'i. I found her a great home in Santa Clara, and am hoping I can find a good match with these little guys, as well.

I told her I will hang onto the kittens as long as I need to, in order to make sure they get great homes. It would be really ideal if they could go to people who would be willing to share a picture or two, as was the case with a kitty I fostered, named Buster. He was adopted by a wonderful woman named Jenny who was more than willing to share photos, and I was really grateful. It's not that I need to see a lot of pics. It's more important to me, that I know the person who adopted the cats is sensitive to the feelings of others, and she CARES!

I can't tell you too much about the kittens, other than that, they are mostly outdoor kitties, and right now they're pretty shy. The black and white tuxie is a girl, and the tan/gray/white tabby is a boy, who is a bit more shy (but vocal). But I am hopeful that they will warm up, soon, when we get them some cat toys : ). They were mostly outdoor cats, and luckily the family who posted them on Craigslist have had the mother cat fixed.

My sister literally just brought them here yesterday. We will be getting them fixed here in California, and we'll make sure they both get all their shots and are microchipped as well. If you have questions about them, please get in touch with me via the contact form on the right side of the page.

Thanks!

Laura

UPDATE 7-21-19:

If you're interested in these sweet kitties, please visit them at the  Whis-Purr rescue facility in Redwood City.  

Again, the address is:


Address346 El Camino Real, Redwood City, CA 94062
Hours
Open ⋅ Closes 6PM