Natural Dog Flea Treatment Options for Home Use

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Posted Oct 14, 2024

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If you're looking for a natural way to get rid of dog fleas at home, you're in the right place. Apple cider vinegar can be used to repel fleas, as it disrupts their sense of smell and makes it difficult for them to navigate.

Using a flea comb is a great way to remove fleas from your dog's coat. According to the article, a flea comb should be used in conjunction with other natural remedies for best results.

Olive oil can be used to suffocate fleas on contact. This method is most effective when used in combination with a flea comb to remove the dead fleas.

Washing your dog's bedding regularly can help to reduce the flea population. This is especially important during peak flea season.

Natural Treatments

Wash your dog with a natural shampoo like citrus Castile soap each week, followed by a final rinse with ACV. This helps kill fleas and stop flea bites instantly.

Credit: youtube.com, Natural Flea and Tick Spray for Dogs

Use a flea comb to comb your dog's coat from the top of her head to the underside of the tail, neck, underbelly, and legs. This is essential to getting rid of fleas and flea eggs.

To keep your dog's bedding clean, wash it in hot water with a natural, unscented detergent once a week. If your dog sleeps with you, throw your own bedding in the washer at the same time.

You can also use a diatomaceous earth carpet treatment to help keep fleas from multiplying. Repeat these steps regularly to ensure the flea infestation is completely gone.

Here are some simple natural flea remedies you can try:

  • Use a mixture of lemon, rosemary, and sage to create a natural flea spray. Simply slice the lemon into thin rounds, add the rosemary and sage to a bowl, and steep in almost boiling water overnight.
  • Spray your dog with this mixture each day when she goes outside, paying special attention to the belly, tail, legs, and ears.
  • You can also try using fresh rosemary as a flea remedy. Simply steep the rosemary needles in boiling water, then drain and slather your dog's coat and skin with it.

Some plants contain compounds that can help keep fleas at bay. These plants include Penny Royal, Lavender, Spearmint, and Chrysanthemums. Keep these plants around your home to help repel fleas from you and your dog.

If this caught your attention, see: How to Keep Fleas off Your Dog in Florida?

Diatomaceous Earth and Other Remedies

Diatomaceous earth is a non-toxic powder made from fossilized organisms called diatoms that can break apart flea eggs and dry them out before they can grow into adult fleas. You can buy it at most holistic dog supply stores, health stores, and garden centers, but make sure to get food-grade DE only.

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Spread food-grade DE outside in your yard, considering where your dog spends most of her time. If you're not sure, look for places where the earth or grass is worn down, which is a good sign of frequent travel and your dog's favorite nap spots.

CAUTION: DE can irritate the lungs, so wear a mask and make sure your dogs and other pets don't breathe the dust. After the dust has settled, DE is safe.

Diatomaceous earth comes in two forms: pool/filter- and food-grade. Be sure to get the food-grade, which is low in crystalline silica and nontoxic to humans and animals.

Sprinkle it in areas where you suspect high flea activity, and leave the diatomaceous earth dust down for about 24 to 48 hours before vacuuming the area thoroughly. Empty the vacuum canister or replace the bag outside.

You can also use diatomaceous earth outside on the lawn or on any area in which your dog regularly stretches out.

A fresh viewpoint: De Flea Dog

Prevention and Control

Credit: youtube.com, Dr. Jones's Flea Repellent Solution: 3 Simple Ingredients for an Effective and All-Natural Solution

Store-bought flea collars can help prevent flea infestations, but it's essential to keep your dog on year-round flea and tick medications as well.

Keeping your dog, belongings, and home clean is crucial in preventing flea infestations. Regularly vacuum and shampoo and clean carpets and furniture to keep fleas away.

You can spread diatomaceous earth on your carpet, then vacuum it after 2-3 days to prevent flea infestations. This natural method works by dehydrating and suffocating fleas.

Fleas hate the smell of cedar chips, so spreading some in your yard can help keep them away.

A natural flea collar can be made by soaking a bandana in lavender, rosemary, thyme, garlic, or cedarwood essential oils.

Here are some effective natural methods to prevent and control flea infestations:

Home Remedies

Home Remedies are a great way to get rid of fleas on your dog without using harsh chemicals. You can try using diatomaceous earth, baking soda, or salt to dehydrate and suffocate the fleas. Simply sprinkle the powder on your carpets, let it sit for a day or two, and then vacuum it up.

Credit: youtube.com, 6 HOME REMEDIES for KILLING FLEAS on DOGS 🐶🐜 Do They Work?

One effective home remedy is the baking soda and salt mixture. Mix equal parts of baking soda and salt, scatter it around your house and yard, and let it sit for a day or two before vacuuming. This will help eliminate fleas and flea eggs by destroying their exoskeleton.

You can also make a homemade spray using apple cider vinegar, water, and a pinch of salt. Mix six cups of apple cider vinegar with four cups of water and a pinch of salt, and spray it on your dog's coat and underbelly. This will create an inhospitable environment for fleas.

Here are some additional home remedies you can try:

  • Lemon bath: mix fresh lemon juice with water (1:2 ratio) and a splash of pet shampoo.
  • Apple cider vinegar bath: mix 6 cups of apple cider vinegar with 4 cups of water and a pinch of salt.
  • Coconut oil: apply coconut oil to your dog's coat outdoors to suffocate the fleas.

Natural Remedy for Rosemary

You can use fresh rosemary as a natural flea remedy for your dog. Simply take the rosemary needles and steep them in boiling water, then let it cool down to lukewarm temperatures.

This concoction can be slathered directly onto your dog's coat and skin to help repel fleas. The rosemary smell might be a bit strong for some dogs, so make sure to check their comfort level before using it.

You can also make a fine powder of dried rosemary, fennel, and wormwood, and sprinkle it around your home for a fresh, flea-repelling fragrance.

Baltic Amber Resin

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Baltic Amber Resin is a natural flea killer that repels fleas and ticks due to its electrostatic properties. People swear by it for flea and tick prevention.

You can buy good quality amber resin collars for your dog at Amberstone Pets. These collars are a great alternative to traditional flea collars.

Raw Baltic Amber Resin has a unique smell that helps repel pests. The key is to use raw, unpolished amber.

See what others are reading: Do Dog Flea Collars Work

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a harmless and effective home remedy for flea infestations. It can be mixed with salt to eliminate fleas and flea eggs by destroying their exoskeleton.

This mixture works by causing parasite dehydration and death. Scatter the baking soda and salt mixture around your house and yard, especially under furniture and on baseboards.

Allow the mixture to take effect for a day or two, then vacuum any indoor surfaces. Be sure to give your vacuum cleaner a good scrub once done since salt may rust its components.

You can also use baking soda on its own as a dehydrating agent against fleas. Simply spread it on your carpets and let it sit for 1-2 days, then vacuum it up.

If this caught your attention, see: Does Salt Water Kill Fleas on Dogs

Easy Everyday Treatments

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To keep fleas at bay, spray your dog each day when she goes outside, paying special attention to the belly, tail, legs, and ears.

You can make a natural flea spray using a lemon, rosemary, and sage. Slice the lemon into thin rounds, place it in a bowl with the rosemary and sage, and add a quart of almost boiling water. Let it steep overnight, then strain the liquid into a spray bottle and refrigerate.

Alternatively, you can buy a ready-made natural flea and tick spray.

Here's a simple recipe for a natural flea spray:

  • 1 organic lemon
  • 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
  • 1 sprig of garden sage
  • 1 quart of filtered water
  • *Optional: 1 sprig of lavender

Slice the lemon into thin rounds, place it in a bowl with the rosemary and sage, and add a quart of almost boiling water. Let it steep overnight, then strain the liquid into a spray bottle and refrigerate.

A Vet Checking a Pomeranian Dog
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This spray can be used daily to help keep fleas away from your dog.

You can also use a flea comb to remove fleas and their eggs from your dog's coat. A good flea comb can be found at your local pet store or online.

Here are some tips for using a flea comb:

  • Use the flea comb to comb from the top of your dog's head to the underside of the tail, neck, underbelly, and legs.
  • Be sure to comb thoroughly and go over the whole body.
  • If you have a long hair breed, a shorter hair cut could help you get at the mites more efficiently.
  • A shorter coat will also make the problem easier to manage overall!

Coconut oil is another natural remedy that can help keep fleas away from your dog. It contains a fatty acid called lauric acid, which kills fleas. Apply coconut oil to your dog's coat outdoors, then bathe them to get rid of the oil.

You can also feed your dog garlic to help repel fleas. Use freshly chopped organic garlic and feed the right amount – ¼ clove per ten pounds of dog. Start feeding garlic one month before the start of flea season.

Dalmatian Puppy Dogs in a Tin Bathtub
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Some plants, such as Penny Royal, Lavender, Spearmint, and Chrysanthemums, contain compounds that can help keep fleas away. Keep these plants around your home to help repel fleas from you and your dog.

Here's a list of natural flea repellent plants:

Natural Repellents

Essential oils can be a great natural way to repel fleas, but be careful which ones you use. Certain essential oils, such as tea tree oil, pennyroyal, oil of wintergreen, and pine oils, are toxic to dogs.

To use essential oils safely, dilute them in a carrier oil like grape seed oil. Mix 3-6 drops of essential oil in 1 ounce of carrier oil. Some safe and effective essential oils for flea repellent include lavender, lemon, palmarosa, cedar (atlantica), eucalyptus (radiata), clary sage, and peppermint.

Here's a list of some safe and effective essential oils for flea repellent:

  • Lavender
  • Lemon
  • Palmarosa
  • Cedar (atlantica)
  • Eucalyptus (radiata)
  • Clary sage
  • Peppermint

Coconut oil is another natural repellent that can help kill fleas. The fatty acid lauric acid in coconut oil suffocates the pests, making it an effective natural flea treatment.

A different take: Homemade Dog Flea Shampoo

Dog Nutrition and Health

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A healthy dog is a happy dog, and a healthy dog is less likely to attract fleas. A good diet is the foundation of good health for your furry friend.

Feeding your dog a diet full of fresh whole foods and unprocessed proteins is essential. This can include meats, organ meats, oily fish, and eggs.

B vitamins are found in many of these foods, and they play a crucial role in maintaining your dog's overall health. Probiotics, like fermented vegetables, can also help keep your dog's digestive system in top shape.

Sulfur-rich foods like eggs, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are also beneficial for your dog's health. These foods can help keep your dog's skin and coat healthy, which can make it less appealing to fleas.

A diet rich in omega-6 fatty acids from foods like poultry, eggs, flaxseed, and hempseed can also help keep your dog healthy. Similarly, omega-3 fatty acids from foods like mackerel, freshly ground hemp, and flaxseed can help support your dog's overall health.

Here are some key nutrients to include in your dog's diet to help prevent fleas:

  • B vitamins
  • Probiotics (fermented vegetables)
  • Sulfur-rich foods (eggs, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts)
  • Omega-6 fatty acids (poultry, eggs, flaxseed, hempseed)
  • Omega-3 fatty acids (mackerel, freshly ground hemp, flaxseed)

Symptoms and Infestation

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Symptoms of a flea infestation on your dog can be quite distressing. Intense itching and scratching, especially around the neck and shoulder area, are common symptoms of fleas.

You might also notice tiny red dots on the skin (flea bites), scabbing on the skin, and restlessness. In severe cases, hair loss can occur due to excessive biting or licking of the flea bite area.

A few other signs to watch out for include pale gums, which can be a sign of anemia, and irritated red patches of skin, which can be caused by an allergic reaction to flea bites.

Here are some common symptoms of a flea infestation on your dog:

  • Intense itching and scratching
  • Inflammation of the skin
  • Tiny red dots on the skin (flea bites)
  • Scabbing on the skin
  • Restlessness
  • Hair loss

Symptoms

If your dog has fleas, they might be showing some pretty obvious signs. One of the first things you might notice is fur loss, which can be a result of excessive biting or licking of the flea bite area.

A flea infestation can also cause pale gums in severe cases, due to sudden blood loss. This is a sign of anemia, and it's a good idea to get your dog checked by a vet if you suspect this is happening.

Clse-up of Mouth and Nose of a Dog
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Irritated red patches of skin are another common symptom of fleas. This is usually caused by an allergic reaction to the flea bites.

You might also notice your dog suddenly scratching, licking, and biting more than usual. This is a clear sign that they're dealing with a flea problem.

Here are some common symptoms of a flea infestation on your dog:

  • Intense itching and scratching, especially around the neck and shoulder area
  • Inflammation of the skin
  • Tiny red dots on the skin (flea bites)
  • Scabbing on the skin
  • Restlessness
  • Hair loss

Keep an eye out for flea droppings, also known as flea dirt, which can look like tiny specks of black pepper on your dog's skin. You can use a flea comb to check for these.

How They Get It

Cockroaches can fit through tiny cracks and crevices, making them nearly impossible to keep out.

They're attracted to food and moisture, which is why you'll often find them in kitchens and bathrooms.

A single female German cockroach can lay up to 50 eggs at a time, which hatch into young roaches in just a few weeks.

These young roaches, called nymphs, go through several molts as they grow and mature.

Cockroaches can live for weeks without food or water, making them a persistent problem.

Final Thoughts and Tips

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Consistently monitoring your dog is critical to preventing flea problems from escalating.

Maintaining a clean environment is also essential to keeping your dog flea-free. This includes regularly vacuuming and washing your dog's bedding.

Home remedies can effectively manage and prevent infestations, but they may not always provide a complete solution.

If home remedies prove insufficient, seeking professional pest control can be wise.

By staying proactive and addressing flea issues early, you can ensure your dog stays comfortable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I spray vinegar on my dog to kill fleas?

No, apple cider vinegar won't kill fleas, but it can help repel them by making your dog's fur unappealing to fleas. For a flea-repelling spray, dilute apple cider vinegar in water and apply it to your dog's fur.

What is the fastest way to get rid of fleas on a dog?

Bathing your dog with a fine-tooth flea comb and a flea-killing shampoo is the fastest way to get rid of fleas, but it's essential to follow up with regular checks and grooming to ensure complete removal

What is the best homemade flea repellent?

For a natural and effective flea repellent, try mixing 4 liters of vinegar, 2 liters of water, 500 ml of lemon juice, and 250 ml of witch hazel in a spray bottle. This homemade flea spray is a great alternative to chemical-based products, but be sure to prepare your home by vacuuming and washing bedding first.

What scent keeps fleas off dogs?

Citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, and rosemary essential oils can help repel fleas from dogs. Try diluting a few drops of your chosen oil in water and spraying it directly onto your dog's coat.

How to get rid of fleas in the house fast?

To quickly get rid of fleas in the house, treat all pets, thoroughly vacuum and wash pet bedding, and use a household spray to kill fleas and their eggs. By following these steps, you can effectively eliminate fleas from your home

Sources

  1. natural shampoo (thenaturaldogstore.com)
  2. food-grade DE (thenaturaldogstore.com)
  3. natural flea and tick spray (thenaturaldogstore.com)
  4. fleas lay eggsopens in a new tab (fleascience.com)
  5. The Pet Lover’s Guide to Natural Healing for Dogs and Catsopens in a new tab (amzn.to)
  6. flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) (vcahospitals.com)
  7. Pinterest (pinterest.com)
  8. Twitter (twitter.com)
  9. 8 Home Remedies for Fleas on Dogs (holistapet.com)
  10. flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) (merckvetmanual.com)

Edmond Gibson

Lead Writer

Edmond Gibson is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting informative and engaging content. With a keen interest in the human-animal bond, Edmond has honed his expertise in writing about pets and their well-being. His articles have appeared in various online publications, covering topics such as dog ear surgery and other veterinary-related issues.

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