The Bug Episode: The Hidden Cost of Flea & Tick Treatments

Welcome to this episode of the Sexier than a Squirrel podcast, the podcast that brings you real-life dog training results, and sometimes human training ones too! This week, Lauren is joined by Michelle for a deep dive into parasite prevention, fleas, ticks, worms, gut health, and the growing questions around routine chemical treatments. Because while spot-ons, tablets, and collars are often seen as the “normal” route, more and more dog owners are starting to ask: what are these products actually doing to our dogs, our homes, and the environment around us? In this episode, we talk through the pros, cons, and wider impact of common flea and tick treatments, including why many products only work once a tick or flea bites, and what that means when we’re talking about tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease and babesiosis. We also explore some of the side effects owners report seeing, from nausea and digestive upset to neurological wobbliness, and why dosage can become especially tricky for very small dogs. Lauren and Michelle also talk through a different approach: prevention through consistency, daily habits, and supporting the dog as a whole. You’ll hear why they choose natural ingredients, how gut health plays a surprisingly important role in resilience, and why they prefer testing before treating wherever possible. From worm counts to stool testing, this episode challenges the idea of broad-brush “just in case” treatments and looks at the growing issue of resistance over time. We also get practical. You’ll learn how to check your dog properly for fleas and ticks, where ticks commonly hide, how to spot flea dirt with a comb, and easy ways to feed preventative powders consistently, including a simple kefir ice cube hack your dog will probably love. Along the way, there’s a wider conversation too, about waterways, bees, environmental impact, and why one spot-on treatment on a large dog can reportedly kill up to 25 million bees. It’s a huge topic, and whether you’re already using a natural approach or just starting to question the status quo, this episode will give you plenty to think about. If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s another way to approach flea, tick, and worm prevention, this episode is for you. Want to explore A-OK9’s Bug-K9 range? Check it out here: https://a-ok9.com/products/bug-k9 SUPPORT THE SHOW! 🐿️ If you’re enjoying the podcast, please leave a review for us, and don’t forget to hit share and post your biggest lightbulb moment! Remember, no matter what struggles you might be facing with your dog, there is always a game for that! 💪✨ 🔗 https://absolutedogs.me/podcast DON’T MISS A MOMENT! 🔔 Make sure you SUBSCRIBE for more weekly YOUTUBE videos you will LOVE! 🔗 https://www.youtube.com/c/absoluteDog... READY TO DISCOVER MORE? 👀 Follow us on Facebook for REGULAR LIVE training advice and resources: 🔗   / absolutedogs   If you’re loving the podcast, you’ll love our NEW Sexier than a Squirrel Dog Training Challenge even more! Get transformational dog training today for only £27! 🎯🐾 🔗 https://absolutedogs.me/startnow