I used diatomaceous earth on my basenji dog this year. This is the first time he had fleas. Rubbed it in his fur and sprinkled it on his bedding. If your dog has worms, you can even put some in their food. Safe and non-toxic. I bought it at my local health food store. (Whole Foods didn’t have it and didn’t know what I was talking about.)
It’s a great product. We had a silverfish problem — they like books — and D.E. took care of them. And I sprinkled it around an area of our yard where Hubby and kitty had acquired ticks. So far, no more uninvited parasites.
“Safe and non-toxic”
Safety considerations:
The absorbent qualities of diatomite can result in a significant drying of the hands if handled without gloves. The flux-calcined form contains a highly crystalline form of silica, resulting in sharp edges. The sharpness of this version of the material makes it dangerous to breathe and a dust mask is recommended when working with it.
The type of hazard posed by inhalation depends on the form of the silica. Crystalline silica poses a serious inhalation hazard because it can cause silicosis. Amorphous silica can cause dusty lungs, but does not carry the same degree of risk as crystalline silica. Natural or dried diatomite generally contains very low percentages of crystalline silica. Diatomite produced for pool filters is treated with high heat (calcining) and a fluxing agent (soda ash), causing the formerly amorphous silicon dioxide to assume its crystalline form.
The crystalline silica content of the dust’s particulate is regulated in the United States by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and there are guidelines for the maximum amounts allowable in the product and in the air near the breathing zone of workers.[19]