Flea, Tick & Worming Protection for Dogs: Natural vs Chemical Options Explained

Keeping our dogs safe from fleas, ticks and worms is something every dog owner has to think about and if I’m honest, it’s one of the questions I’m asked most often on social media.

The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

Parasite protection isn’t a simple yes-or-no decision. The strategy that works best will depend on your dog, your environment, your lifestyle, your risk level, and what feels right for you as an owner.

Some people choose to go fully natural.

Others prefer pharmaceutical products.

Many sit somewhere in the middle.

This isn’t a “you must do this" article. It’s not about what I do for my own dogs.

This is education, so you can make informed choices that align with your dog, your values, and your real-world circumstances.

To do that, it’s important to understand both the benefits and the limitations of natural and pharmaceutical options.

In this article, we’ll explore:

• Holistic options for daily defence
• When and why chemical preventatives are used
• Safer choices within chemical categories
• How to build a balanced, non-fear-based approach

Holistic Approaches — Natural Support for Parasite Defence

Nature gives us many tools to help make our dogs less appealing to parasites while supporting overall resilience.

I’m a big believer that a healthier dog is naturally less attractive to parasites and pests. This is why I place so much emphasis on feeding real food and getting the foundations right, fresh food, clean water and supporting gut health. Holistic approaches are about supporting the body rather than relying solely on parasite‑killing products.

Nutritional & Herbal Support

There are a number of foods and ingredients that can be added to a dog’s diet to support natural parasite control.

Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds have traditionally been used to help expel worms. They contain an amino acid called cucurbitin, which may help paralyse worms and assist their removal from the digestive tract.

I use pumpkin seed cleanses every 3–4 months. This involves feeding raw, unsalted, ground pumpkin seeds for 7 days straight, at a dose of 1–2 teaspoons per 10kg of body weight (add to their daily meals for 7 days).

Raw Garlic (Correct Dose Only)

Garlic has historically been used as a flea deterrent and to support immune health. Its sulfur compounds and antioxidants are believed to have antimicrobial and antiparasitic effects.

Garlic needs time to build up in the system and is usually fed most days in small amounts. The compounds are thought to escape through the skin, helping to repel fleas and ticks.

Important notes:

• Correct dosing is essential
• Not suitable for puppies
• Not suitable for dogs on medications or certain breeds

Garlic should always be used with care and intention, for more information on feeding garlic, here is a post I recently shared. 

Fur

Furry treats or rabbit fur added to meals can act as a natural dewormer. Fur helps mechanically clean out the digestive tract, with worms becoming caught in the fibre and expelled in the stool.

Black Cumin Seed (Nigella sativa)

Traditionally used for its antimicrobial, antiparasitic and immune‑supporting properties.

Fermented Foods & Probiotics

A strong microbiome supports stronger natural defences. Adding fermented foods and probiotics can play a valuable role in gut and immune health.

Diatomaceous Earth (Food Grade Only)

Food‑grade diatomaceous earth can help with worms when used correctly by dehydrating parasites.

Important considerations:

• Must be food grade only
• Mix thoroughly through food
• Avoid inhalation, as it can irritate the lungs

It can also be used externally on the coat or in the environment to help manage fleas. An added benefit is its detox‑supportive properties.

Herbs

Adding herbs such as thyme, oregano, basil and coriander to your dogs meals can help reduce worm load and provide antimicrobial support when used appropriately.

Lactoferrin

Lactoferrin, (a key ingredient in Gut Intense), has demonstrated antiparasitic and immunomodulatory properties against a variety of parasites.

We are also working on something big, coming in 2026 which will be a game changer for natural flea and worm support - stay tuned!

External Natural Protection (Repellents)

Natural repellents work by discouraging parasites rather than killing them.

Common ingredients include neem oil, rose geranium, lemon, lavender and apple cider vinegar.

These products require more frequent application than pharmaceutical options. I recommend spraying dogs twice daily and performing daily tick checks, here is the one I use. 

Homeopathic Support

Some owners choose to use homeopathic flea, tick and worming remedies. These approaches are highly individual and depend on the dog, the environment and owner preference.

Here is the link for a Tick and Flea Homeopathy remedy and a Worming remedy. 

Environmental & Lifestyle Defence

Parasite control also involves managing the environment.

Helpful practices include:

• Washing bedding weekly in hot water
• Vacuuming rugs and couches regularly
• Keeping grass short and yards tidy
• Using diatomaceous earth in kennels or outdoor crevices
• Avoiding long grass and bushland during peak tick season
• Performing daily tick checks using hands and  a flea/tick comb

Chemical Parasite Control

Natural approaches can be ideal, but real life isn’t always ideal.

There are situations where chemical parasite control may be necessary, including high-tick areas, travel, heavy flea exposure, immune-compromised dogs, rescue situations, or dogs with unknown histories. In these cases, chemical intervention may feel like the safest option.

Chemical preventatives work quickly, but it’s important to understand how they actually work.

Most chemical flea and tick products do not repel parasites. Instead, they kill fleas and ticks after they attach and bite your dog.

How oral flea and tick products work

Many oral flea and tick preventatives belong to the isoxazoline class of pesticides. These products circulate through your dog’s bloodstream, including the brain.

When a flea or tick bites your dog, it ingests the pesticide and dies.That part is effective.

But it raises an important question: What else is being affected while that pesticide circulates through your dog’s body?

Understanding the risks

Isoxazolines are neurotoxins. They cross the blood–brain barrier and are designed to disrupt the nervous system of parasites.

There have been a significant number of reported adverse events associated with these products, including:

• Seizures
• Tremors
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Lethargy

If you read the product inserts closely, you’ll see that even during clinical trials, some dogs experienced seizures.

Gut health and the immune system

Monthly oral parasite products pass through your dog’s digestive system before entering the bloodstream.

This matters because:

• The gut microbiome is highly sensitive
• The majority of your dog’s immune system lives in the gut

Regular exposure to pesticides can disrupt the microbiome, weaken immune resilience, and place extra strain on the body — before the product even reaches the bloodstream and brain.

Once absorbed, the pesticide circulates through the entire body, including the nervous system.

Risk vs reward matters

When a flea or tick bites, the parasite ingests the pesticide and dies — but your dog is exposed to it the entire time it is active in their system.

This is why risk, environment, and individual health must always be considered.There is no one-size-fits-all approach.

The idea that all dogs should be on monthly chemical parasite prevention by default ignores context, lifestyle, geography, and individual health. That approach is like taking Panadol every day just in case you get a headache.

Products such as NexGard, Bravecto and Simparica all contain isoxazolines, neurotoxic compounds designed to cross the blood–brain barrier.

So the real question becomes:

• Does your dog truly need these products?
• Do you need an all-in-one tablet for worms, fleas and ticks if you live in a low-risk area?
• Are you using them out of fear, habit, or informed decision-making?

The paralysis tick reality

On the flip side, paralysis ticks are deadly. They can and do kill dogs.

This is exactly why parasite control should never be emotional or blanket-based, it must be strategic.

A clear safety plan, based on your dog’s environment, health status, and exposure risk, should be discussed with a holistic-minded vet or practitioner. Every dog owner needs to weigh up risk versus reward and choose the approach that makes sense for their dog.

Risk, Environment & Individual Decision‑Making

Risk, location and lifestyle matter.

Paralysis ticks can be fatal in certain regions, which is why risk assessment and a safety plan are essential and should be discussed with a trusted vet or holistic practitioner.

There is no one‑size‑fits‑all approach. Blanket recommendations for all dogs to be on monthly chemical preventatives do not take individual circumstances into account.

Safer Chemical Hierarchy

If I had to use a chemical parasite product, I would always choose a spot-on topical over an oral chew.

Not all chemical options affect the body in the same way, and understanding how they work helps you make a more informed decision.

Oral Chews

(NexGard, Bravecto, Simparica)

Oral flea and tick chews are systemic products, meaning they work from the inside out.

Once swallowed, the tablet must pass through the digestive system before entering the bloodstream. From there, the active ingredients circulate throughout the entire body — including the brain.

Key considerations:

• The parasite must bite your dog to be exposed to the pesticide
• The product passes through and can disrupt the gut microbiome
• Active ingredients enter the bloodstream
• Isoxazolines used in these products are known to cross the blood–brain barrier
• If an adverse reaction occurs, the product cannot be removed once given

Spot-On Topicals

(Frontline, Advantage)

Spot-on products are applied directly to the skin and work very differently.

They spread through the skin’s natural oils rather than circulating systemically through the body. They are intended to act locally, but they are not 100% non-systemic, meaning some can still enter the blood stream.

Key considerations:

• Lower systemic load compared to oral chews
• Bypasses the digestive system, reducing impact on the gut
• Absorbed through the skin and coat oils
• Not known to significantly penetrate the blood–brain barrier
• Can partially be washed off if a reaction occurs

The takeaway

When chemical intervention is necessary, how the product works matters just as much as what it kills.

Choosing the least invasive option that still manages risk can make a meaningful difference to your dog’s gut health, nervous system, and overall resilience.

As always, risk, environment, and individual health should guide the decision, ideally in discussion with a holistic-minded vet or practitioner.

Support Detoxification & Methylation

Think of your dog’s tolerance to chemicals like a glass of water.

If your dog eats a clean, fresh food diet, drinks filtered water, and lives a low-tox life, that glass stays mostly empty. Their detoxification pathways are supported, their gut is healthier, and their body is better equipped to handle occasional chemical exposure if it’s truly needed.

Now imagine a dog eating ultra-processed food, over-vaccinated, and regularly exposed to chemicals. That glass is already close to overflowing. Add a chemical parasite product on top, and the body can struggle to cope.

This is why context matters.

If chemical products need to be used, the focus should shift to supporting detoxification and methylation, so your dog can process and clear these substances more effectively.

Why methylation matters

Methylation is one of the body’s key detox pathways. It relies heavily on amino acids, which is why quality protein is essential.

Feeding real, species-appropriate protein (meat) provides the building blocks your dog needs to support this process.

Nutritional support following chemical exposure

Alongside a fresh, species-appropriate diet, nutritional support can help maintain normal metabolic and elimination processes after environmental or chemical exposure.

In general terms:

• Joint Intense provides nutrients that support normal inflammatory balance, antioxidant status, and gut lining integrity, all of which play a role in overall physiological resilience.
• N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) is a nutritional precursor that supports the body’s natural antioxidant systems, including pathways involved in normal cellular protection.

Supporting gut health, maintaining antioxidant balance, and supplying key nutrients helps promote a strong internal environment, particularly in situations where environmental exposures are difficult to avoid.

(And yes — something new is coming in 2026 specifically for this space.)

A Balanced Strategy

Parasite control doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing.

A more sustainable approach is to use natural support daily, and reserve chemical intervention for times of higher risk — such as tick season, travel, or heavy exposure environments.

Key principles:

• Use natural prevention as your everyday foundation
• Consider chemical support seasonally or when risk is elevated
• If chemicals are needed, spot-on products are preferred over oral chews
• Continue daily tick checks, regardless of the approach you choose

If chemical intervention is required for fleas, ticks, and worms, a more conservative option is to:

• Use a worming tablet (such as Drontal) for internal parasites
• Use a spot-on treatment for fleas and ticks, rather than an all-in-one oral product

This separates the chemical load, reduces systemic exposure, and avoids stacking unnecessary stress on the gut and nervous system.

Final Message

There is no perfect answer.

Every dog is different. Every environment is different.

Your role is to make the most informed decision for your dog.

My role is to give you the knowledge to do that, without fear, pressure, or blanket rules.

Education empowers choice.