Discover the top home remedies for fleas on dogs that are both safe and effective. These natural flea treatments will help restore peace and sanity to you and your dog’s life!
Why Fleas Shouldn’t Be an Issue:
Fleas can cause a significant amount of trouble once they infest your home and dog. The necessary steps to eliminate them include:
– Weekly flea baths for your dog
– Washing all fabric in your home to remove flea eggs
– Vacuuming everything several times over to ensure the flea infestation is completely gone
Summary of Actions to Take if Your Dog Has Fleas:
During an active flea attack, it’s crucial to wash your dog to kill fleas and stop flea bites instantly. Use a natural shampoo like citrus Castile soap each week, followed by a final rinse with ACV (1 part vinegar to 10 parts water).
Keeping your dog’s coat clean with a flea comb is essential for getting rid of fleas and flea eggs. Use the flea comb to comb from the top of the head to the underside of the tail, neck, underbelly, and legs.
Wash all of your dog’s bedding in hot water with a natural, unscented detergent once a week. If your dog sleeps with you, wash your bedding as well.
Each week, vacuum your carpets and floors, paying special attention to areas where your dog spends time. Use a diatomaceous earth carpet treatment to help keep fleas from multiplying.
The flea’s entire life cycle can be as long as several months, so repeat these steps to ensure the flea infestation is completely gone.
Stopping fleas is much easier than trying to get rid of them once they’ve taken over.
The Best Natural Home Remedies for Fleas on Dogs:
To keep flea infestations off your dog, consider these simple natural flea remedies:
1. Outdoor Flea Control:
Nematodes are your best friends when it comes to keeping your yard flea-free. If adult fleas aren’t in your yard, they’re less likely to find their way onto your dog.
What Are Nematodes?
Nematodes are tiny worm-like multicellular animals that live in soil. They help control many garden pests like ants, termites, and grubs, and they also eat fleas. You can buy them at many garden centers and online.
Pre-order nematodes from Arbico Organics to arrive in early spring, and use them quickly after they arrive. Spray them throughout your yard using a hose sprayer or watering can, starting when soil temperatures rise above 45 degrees for at least 2 to 3 weeks.
Effective flea control can be achieved by applying certain methods during spring, summer, and fall for comprehensive coverage.
**Lawns and Mowing**: Although not a fan of mowing, it’s crucial to keep your lawn cut short, especially in areas where fleas are rampant.
**Plants That Guard**: Place pots of lemon balm, sage, rosemary, catnip, lemongrass, basil, and mint outside your main doors and throughout your yard. These plants repel fleas due to their natural oils, discouraging them from entering your home.
**Diatomaceous Earth (DE)**: A non-toxic powder made from fossilized diatoms, DE disrupts flea eggs and dries out adult fleas before they mature. Purchase food-grade DE from holistic dog supply stores, health stores, or garden centers. Apply it where your dog frequents, but be cautious as it can irritate lungs; wear a mask and keep pets away until settled.
**Garlic as a Natural Repellent**: Fleas dislike garlic, making it a safe repellent for yards and pets. To make a garlic spray for your yard, use 8 heads of chopped garlic steeped in 1 gallon of almost boiling water for 12 hours, then strain and lightly spray your lawn and garden area. Avoid heavy spraying to protect beneficial bugs.
**Protecting Your Home**: Quick home remedies to treat fleas on dogs include removing carpets, especially pile carpets, and opting for Berber if necessary due to its unfriendly weave to pests. Steam clean carpets at least once or twice a year, vacuum weekly, and during flea season, sprinkle diatomaceous earth over carpets, leave for 48 hours, then vacuum. Remember to wear a mask when applying DE and keep pets out of the room until the dust has settled.
Discover effective and natural home remedies to combat fleas on your dog. These remedies not only eliminate fleas but also help in prevention.
Garlic as a Natural Flea Repellent: Garlic can be used as an internal flea repellent when used in small amounts. It’s crucial to use freshly chopped organic garlic and avoid garlic supplements. For dogs weighing 10 pounds or more, give 1/4 clove per 10 pounds, and for dogs under 10 pounds, give 1/8 clove. Never exceed two cloves per day. Start feeding garlic a month before flea season for optimal results. Apple Cider Vinegar for Flea Control: Apple cider vinegar (ACV) helps maintain your dog’s pH balance, making it less hospitable for fleas. Feed your dog 1/2 teaspoon of ACV per day for every 25 pounds of body weight. To maintain an acidic environment on your dog’s skin, mix 4 oz of warm water, 6 oz of unfiltered ACV, and 1/4 tsp of sea salt in a spray bottle and apply weekly to your dog’s coat and underbelly, avoiding eyes and open wounds. Essential Oils for Flea Repellent: When using essential oils for flea control, always mix them with a carrier oil like grape seed oil. Use 3-6 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil. Some effective oils include lavender, lemon, palmarosa, cedar, eucalyptus, clary sage, and peppermint. Avoid oils containing wintergreen, pennyroyal, or clove, as they are harmful to dogs.A note about bandanas or collars infused with essential oils: While this may be a useful idea to protect your dog when she’s outdoors, make sure you dilute the essential oils. And please take off the bandana after your dog comes inside.
Here’s my favorite everyday flea treatment that’s lightly scented and very effective. Spray your dog each day when she goes outside. Pay special attention to the belly, tail, legs, and ears. What you need: 1 organic lemon, 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary, 1 sprig of garden sage (Salvia officinalis), 1 quart of filtered water. Optional: 1 sprig of lavender. How to make it: Slice the lemon into thin rounds. Place the lemon, rosemary, and sage in a large stainless steel or glass bowl. Add a quart of almost boiling water. Cover and let steep overnight. In the morning strain the liquid into a spray bottle. Refrigerate (lasts 1 to 2 weeks). Or, you can buy a ready made natural flea and tick spray. I live near salt water where fleas are prolific. As part of my all-natural flea control program, I’ve been testing out two different chemical-free collar tags. The first is an ultrasonic tag that lasts a year. It costs around $40. The second tag is priced at about $50 and is much smaller than the ultrasonic tag. It works with your pet’s energetic field to deter fleas. The only catch is it takes about 3 weeks to reach full strength. It’s a good idea to buy these tags in the winter to prepare for spring. Both tags are working well and I’m pleased with the results. The great thing is they don’t contain chemicals and I can use them on my cat too. Amber is a resin that formed millions of years ago. I haven’t tried Baltic amber resin necklaces but I know people who swear by them for flea and tick prevention. Amber has electrostatic properties that help repel fleas and ticks. It also has a unique smell. The amber must be raw, and not polished like you see in jewelry stores. Electrostatic electricity makes it impossible for pests to stay on your pet. You can buy good quality amber resin collars for your dog at Amberstone Pets. These are a great natural flea killer and alternative to flea collars. Adding the foods and vitamins below is a great way to boost your dog’s nutrition. A healthy body means an unwelcome home for fleas. But starting with a fresh, raw diet is key. Dried dog food goes through high heating and processing that kills the natural nutrients your dog needs to thrive. Dog Nutrition To Help Prevent Fleas. This last recommendation is probably the most important of all. You can reach for many of the remedies for fleas listed here … but ultimately your dog’s overall health is key. Fleas are parasites and parasites seek out the weak and unhealthy. So, if your dog is healthy, fleas will be more likely to stay away! Good diet is the foundation of good health.Ensure your dog’s health by providing a diet rich in fresh, whole foods and unprocessed proteins. Specifically, include: B vitamins found in meats, organ meats, oily fish, and eggs; Probiotics such as fermented vegetables; Sulfur-rich foods like eggs, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts; Omega-6 fatty acids from poultry, eggs, flaxseed, and hempseed; and Omega-3 fatty acids from mackerel, freshly ground hemp, and flaxseed. Living an all-natural lifestyle with your dog requires special effort, especially when it comes to flea control. With a bit of planning and these natural home remedies, you can enjoy a flea-free season without resorting to toxic chemicals. FAQ: What home remedy kills adult fleas on dogs? A natural shampoo with citrus Castile soap is effective for killing adult fleas on dogs when used for weekly baths. Enhance the flea-killing effect by rinsing with a diluted apple cider vinegar solution (1 part vinegar to 10 parts water) after the bath. What kills fleas on dogs the fastest? Washing your dog with a natural citrus Castile soap pet shampoo or flea shampoo is the quickest method to eliminate fleas. This approach can start to alleviate your dog’s itching and kill fleas within hours of application. How do I get rid of my dog’s fleas ASAP? To quickly eliminate fleas, begin with a thorough bath using citrus Castile soap, followed by a rinse with a diluted apple cider vinegar solution. Then, clean their bedding, vacuum your home thoroughly, and apply food grade diatomaceous earth to areas frequented by your dog. Does vinegar kill fleas on dogs? Yes, vinegar can help kill fleas on dogs. After shampooing, use a diluted apple cider vinegar solution (1 part vinegar to 10 parts water) as a final rinse to help eliminate fleas and balance your dog’s skin pH, making it less attractive to fleas.
