A Natural Approach to Heartworm Prevention

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We live in Florida, the #2 most mosquito-prone state in the United States, and I stopped giving my dogs heartworm medication over 15 months ago. Sounds crazy, right?

After years of giving my dogs a preventative chew every 30 days, I decided to look for a more natural way to keep their hearts squeaky clean. In this blog post, I’ll be sharing why I stopped giving heartworm drugs and two ways to guard against heartworms naturally.

Before I go any further, please know that I am not a veterinarian and this post is not veterinary advice. (My guess is that most vets would actually disapprove of everything I’m about to tell you.)

Why I Stopped Giving My Dogs Heartworm Medication

I stopped traditional heartworm preventatives for more reasons than one. Here are the top reasons that ultimately led me to take a more natural approach.

Adverse Reaction Risks

All medications can cause unwanted side effects, and heartworm preventatives are no exception. I used the #1 vet-recommended heartworm prevention chew for my dogs. According to the product’s website, reported adverse reactions include:

• depression/lethargy

• vomiting

• anorexia

• diarrhea

• mydriasis (pupil dilation)

• ataxia (impaired balance or coordination)

• staggering

• convulsions

• hypersalivation

At elevated doses, sensitive dogs (i.e. Collie breeds) have even experienced coma and death. Obviously, these adverse reactions don’t happen all the time to every dog, but I didn’t feel good about taking that risk every month for the rest of my dogs’ lives.

The Hassle of Prescriptions

Heartworm preventatives require a prescription from a licensed veterinarian. While I understand the importance of prescriptions, this seemed a little ridiculous (in my opinion) for something as routine as heartworm prevention.

Dog owners are required to administer heartworm preventatives as prescribed - the recommended dose, in the recommended way, at the recommended time. If you don’t follow the rules, you don’t get a prescription.

Shortly before I stopped giving heartworm meds all together, I actually had a vet refuse to refill a prescription because I wasn’t giving it to my dogs the “right” way. More than likely, you’re familiar with the heartworm prevention chew that comes in different colored boxes, each color for a different weight range:

• Up to 25lbs (Blue Box)

• 25-50lbs (Green Box)

• 51-100lbs (Brown Box)

Apparently, I did the unspeakable - I cut a chew in half. With two Great Danes, each weighing 150 pounds, I gave 1.5 of the 51-100lbs chews to each dog. This was easier (and cheaper) than giving each dog a Brown Box chew and a Green Box chew each month, which was my vet’s recommendation.

Long story short, I ended up emailing the manufacturer of the chews about the situation and the response I received was: “The ingredients are mixed in large batches and used to create individual chews. The active ingredients are evenly distributed throughout each chew.” Only after I shared the email with my dog’s (now former) vet did she renew my prescription for the Brown Box. What a hassle! And all for something that I didn’t like giving to my dogs in the first place.

I Stopped Freaking Out About Heartworms

For years, all I knew about heartworms was scary - they can be deadly, treatment is very expensive, and it only takes one mosquito bite. So, even though I hated the thought of adverse reactions and the hassle of maintaining prescriptions, I continued giving monthly heartworm chews because I was so scared of my dogs actually getting heartworms.

My whole mindset changed after meeting with a holistic vet who told me, “There is a big difference between heartworms and heartworm disease.” I had never heard that before. She explained that dogs with healthy immune systems can actually fight off heartworm larvae on their own (what?!), but when dogs have a weakened immune system, they become more susceptible to having heartworms multiply into heartworm disease.

For all of these reasons, I decided to stop giving my dogs heartworm prevention medication and to take a natural approach instead.

2 Ways to Guard Against Heartworms Naturally

In this section, I’ll share exactly what I do to naturally guard my dogs, Halo and Aella, against heartworms. Since starting this regimen 15 months ago, Halo has remained heartworm negative. Aella is on the same regimen, but she hasn’t been tested for heartworms yet because she’s under 6 months old. I’ll continue to update this post as time passes.

Amber Naturalz HWF Clean Heart

This is the #1 product in my tool kit for natural heartworm prevention, and I’m not alone. There are HUNDREDS of 5-star reviews from pet parents who love it. This product gives me peace of mind, even while living in a very mosquito-prone area.

While HWF Clean Heart is not advertised as heartworm prevention (because it’s not FDA approved to prevent or treat heartworms), I use it for that purpose because it supports the blood, heart, and lungs (which happens to be where heartworms live). Per the Amber Naturalz website:

“HWF supports the body in a natural way to keep and maintain a clean heart from foreign substances around the heart and in the blood. HWF – Clean Heart assists the body in cleansing foreign contaminants from the cardiovascular system.”

It is made with all-natural ingredients like hawthorne berries, licorice root, black seed, and sheep sorrel. These powerhouse ingredients support my dogs’ natural immune systems while also gently helping their bodies to flush out toxins.

I use the maintenance protocol as both of my dogs are heartworm negative. If your dog is heartworm positive, I recommend the cleanse protocol. I also encourage you to read the online reviews. So many pet parents have had success in naturally eliminating heartworms from their dogs by using this product! Directions for each protocol are listed on the bottle.

Mosquito Control

The #2 way that I prevent heartworms naturally is through mosquito control. Heartworms are transmitted to dogs through the bite of an infected mosquito. If you can reduce the number of mosquitoes your dog is exposed to, you can reduce the chances of your dog getting heartworms in the first place.

I use two products to control mosquitoes - one for my dogs and one for my yard:

1. kin+kind Flea and Tick Spray. Yes, it’s made to prevent fleas and ticks, but mosquitoes don’t like the smell of lavender and peppermint either - both of which are in this spray! This product is made with plant-based, vet approved ingredients to ensure the concentrations are pet safe.

   Mosquitoes are most active just before sunset. If I take my dogs outside during this time, I spray their coats just enough for the smell to detract mosquitoes.

2. Garlic Barrier AG+ Liquid Spray. The smell of garlic naturally repels a host of pests, including mosquitoes. I try to spray our yard at least once per week (more often if needed) to decrease the number of mosquitoes.

   This product is over 99% garlic juice and the smell is STRONG! It must be diluted with water before treating the yard. Even after diluting, my yard smells like garlic bread for a good 30 minutes after treatment (which I actually don’t mind). I usually wait one hour before letting my dogs outside after treatment because their noses are more sensitive than mine.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, heartworms are parasites and there are natural ways to guard against parasites. I give my dogs Amber Naturalz HWF Clean Heart every other week to keep their blood, hearts, and lungs free from foreign invaders. I also guard against mosquitoes by using kin+kind Flea and Tick Spray on my dogs and Garlic Barrier AG+ Liquid Spray in my yard.

After 15 months of taking a natural approach to heartworm prevention, my dogs are healthy and I’m happy to have kicked the pharmaceuticals to the curb.

Why This Crib Mattress is the Ultimate Dog Bed

How many beds does your dog have? At our house, what started as one bed quickly turned into FIVE - one for the crate, two for bedtime, one for the yard, and one for everything else. Each bed has a specific purpose, but my favorite of them all is actually a crib mattress. It’s our “everything else” dog bed because it’s so functional and easy to keep clean.

In this blog post, I’ll be sharing the exact crib mattress we use, the benefits of using a crib mattress as a dog bed, and some things to consider so you can decide if a crib mattress makes sense for your dog and home.

Modera Organic Cotton Dual-Sided Crib Mattress

When shopping for dog beds, I usually look for beds with these qualities:

• Removable cover 

• Machine washable  

• Waterproof 

• Odor-proof (is this even a thing?)

• Joint support/cushion

• Color choices

• Large size (we have Great Danes)

…and last but not least, my dogs actually have to like it. Finding a dog bed that checks all of these boxes is a challenge, but the Modera Organic Cotton Dual-Sided Crib Mattress checks almost all of them.

Crib Mattress Benefits

Crib Sheets

This is a GAME CHANGER and my favorite thing about using crib mattresses as dog beds.

Most dog beds have removable and washable covers, but some are difficult to take off and even more difficult to put back on. Who wants to go through that hassle every time muddy paws, drool, and poopy butts dirty up a dog bed?

I change the crib sheets once per week to keep our dog beds looking and smelling fresh, but I only wash the actual crib mattress covers once every few months. The sheets protect the mattress covers, so I can get away with washing them less often.

It’s easy to find crib sheets that complement your home decor because they come in so many colors and patterns. I like natural fabrics that are free of pesticides and toxic chemicals, specifically these organic cotton sheets and these linen sheets.

Removable Mattress Cover

I love that this crib mattress has a removable cover that is washable and waterproof.

Before purchasing from Amazon, I read a ton of reviews (doesn’t everyone?) and many buyers mentioned that even though the mattress is advertised as washable, the tag on the mattress cover reads “Spot clean only. Do not place in washing machine or dryer.” Even though the tag has this warning, many buyers said they washed it anyways and didn’t have any problems, so I trusted their feedback. I personally have washed and dried the mattress covers multiple times in my machine with no problems so far. I do use the delicate cycle just to be on the safe side.

The cover is also waterproof (aka pee-proof and drool-proof). I’ve noticed that the waterproof cover minimizes any odors from reaching the mattress insert - huge bonus. In the event the mattress insert ever starts to smell (mine hasn’t so far), I would just put it outside in the sun for a few hours. The sun’s UV rays are a natural odor eater.   

Cushion and Joint Support

I’m pleased with the amount of cushion and support this crib mattress provides. With two Great Danes, we need all the joint support we can get. Our oldest Dane is 150 pounds, and she can lay on the crib mattress without sinking to the floor.

The mattress is also dual-sided. The “baby” side is firmer and the “toddler” size is softer. Our dogs prefer the toddler side facing up for a more plush bed. Each side of the mattress is clearly marked so you know which side is which.   

Lightweight

Great Danes tend to be “velcro dogs” and mine are no exception. This usually means that I move their dog beds from room to room, a few times each day, so they can enjoy being in the same space. This crib mattress is lightweight and it maintains its shape (unlike some beds that turn into Jell-O when you pick them up) making it easy to move around.

When we travel with the dogs, we take the crib mattresses with us because they are so easy to transport and they fit nicely in the back of our SUV. We pack a change of sheets in case the beds get dirty during travel and Bob’s your uncle.  

Toddler Beds

If you’re guilty of being way too extra when it comes to your dog, this section is for you. Toddler beds are designed to accommodate a standard crib mattress. If you’re using a crib mattress as a dog bed, you also have the option to use a toddler bed.

Some dogs prefer raised beds, especially senior dogs who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor. A toddler bed frame is a good way to elevate your crib mattress off of the floor. They also come in a variety of styles and some even have storage underneath, which is great for organizing toys, leashes, etc.

Is a Crib Mattress Right for My Dog?

No bed is perfect for every dog because every dog is perfectly unique. For some dogs, a crib mattress may not be the best choice. I’ll share some things to consider below so that you can decide if a crib mattress is right for your dog. No one knows your dog better than you, so you be the judge!  

If Your Dog is a Bed Destroyer 

If your dog is a bed destroyer, I’d steer you away from a crib mattress because they aren’t cheap! For whatever reason, some dogs view their beds as enemy number one and rip them to pieces no matter what you do. If this sounds like your dog, I suggest waiting until your dog outgrows this phase before investing in a crib mattress. The same suggestion applies to puppies who are teething and chewing more than usual.

If Your Dog is an Extra-Small Breed

If your dog is an extra-small breed, or even a small breed, you may feel that a crib mattress is too large. Whether or not your dog feels that a crib mattress is too large could be a different story. When my mom’s Jack Russel visits our house, she thoroughly enjoys napping on our crib mattresses even though she is quite tiny.

If you think a regular crib mattress would be too large, but you still want the benefits of a dog bed with sheets and a washable cover, you may want to consider mini crib mattresses or bassinet mattresses, both of which are smaller.

If Your Dog is a Giant Breed

If your dog is a giant breed, use your best judgment to decide if a crib mattress is right for your dog based on their size and sleeping preferences.

We have two Great Danes - an adult and a puppy - and both love their crib mattresses. Our oldest is 150 lbs and, while the crib mattress is the only bed she uses during the day (in addition to our sofa), at bedtime she prefers more room to sprawl.   

Final Thoughts

To summarize, the Modera Organic Cotton Dual-Sided Crib Mattress has been a great addition to our dog bed repertoire.

It’s washable, waterproof, and the perfect size for medium to extra-large dogs. Having a dog bed with sheets is the best thing since sliced bread. If the bed gets dirty, I simply change the sheets instead of washing the entire bed cover. These are the non-toxic sheets I buy for my dogs: organic cotton sheets and linen sheets. Lastly, and most importantly, my dogs are happy with their crib mattresses.