Richard's Organics Neem Oil Flea & Tick Remedy

March 22, 2011 5:20 pm | By Zootoo Editor Flinn D.

As all-natural flea and tick products continue to appear on pet store shelves, many of them feature neem oil, a vegetable oil deriving from a tropical tree. Fans of the product claim that the oil can treat skin disease, other infections, and repel hundreds of different kinds of pests. So it’s no surprise that neem oil is featured as a main ingredient featured in many new pet flea and tick products.

But the folks at Richard’s Organics have taken this enthusiasm to the ultimate level, offering a Flea & Tick Remedy made of 100% neem oil.

Because the product is undiluted by other oils or purified water, a little goes a long way. For regular maintenance, the directions suggest diluting two tablespoons of the oil into a 17-oz. bottle of your usual shampoo or conditioner. This ratio of oil-to-shampoo is not only a testament to the product’s strength, but also a relief for consumers who may be surprised at the oil’s scent upon first opening the bottle. The smell isn’t entirely unpleasant, but can be overwhelming.

So does the neem oil live up to the claims that many advocates make about it? In a word, yes. After using the product in our tester feline’s shampoo for a few weeks, her scratching and biting decreased markedly.

In its undiluted form, the product can also be used to treat more serious infections. Fortunately, our tester cat doesn’t have this problem, but it’s good to know that this effective, all-natural Flea & Tick Remedy is in the arsenal just in case.

Pros: Completely all-natural, packs a lot of power in a small amount.

Cons: The smell might be overwhelming at first.