8 Natural Flea Treatments for Dogs

Fleas and ticks are some of the most prolific bloodsuckers found in many canines, even in healthy dogs. We made a list of natural flea treatments for dogs and how to safely use them on your pooch.

Natural Flea Treatment for Dogs #1: Flea Bath

One of the well-known home remedies against fleas is using natural flea repellents during baths.

Orange skins contain citronella, which is a good deterrent for these nasty parasites. Lemon juice also has flea-repelling properties. Certain essential oils such as neem or rosemary repel fleas too. Together they make a good natural flea bath for dogs.

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Here is what you should do to make one for your canine friend:

What you need:

• 3–4 orange peels
• ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Therapeutic-grade neem or rosemary essential oil

What to do:

1. In a large saucepan, boil the orange peels until soft.
2. Strain and separate the orange-infused water from the peels.
3. Mix the water with lemon juice in a medium-sized bowl.
4. Add a drop of essential oil to the mixture and stir to combine them well.
5. Pour this natural flea treatment for dogs in the bath.
6. Make sure to start at the top of his head to prevent fleas from seeking refuge on it. However, be careful not to apply the liquid to his eyes.
7. Let your dog soak in the natural flea bath for 15 minutes. Then rinse it off properly.

Natural Flea Treatment for Dogs #2: Rosemary Herbal Wash

If you are looking for safe herbal flea treatment for dogs, rosemary is a good option. It is proven to be an effective flea repellent. Here is how you can make an herbal wash using this fragrant shrub:

What you need:

• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 tablespoon rosemary leaves
• 1 pint water

What to do:

1. Boil the water in a saucepan.
2. Place the dried rosemary and rosemary leaves in the boiling water.
3. Let them steep for 10 minutes.
4. Separate the liquid from the herbs using a strainer.
5. Allow the rosemary water to cool down ideally at room temperature.
6. You can use the rosemary herbal wash on your dog as the final rinse. Make sure to pour it on areas where fleas gather.
7. Let it naturally soak and dry on his coat. This will leave your dog smelling wonderful but less enticing as a host for fleas.

Note: Rosemary water bath is good flea prevention for mild infestations. However, if your dog’s case is severe, it would take more than this natural remedy to get rid of all the fleas.

Natural Flea Treatment for Dogs #3: Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has flea-repelling properties for dogs and cats. It contains lauric acid, which repels fleas. The thick oil also works great in limiting the movements of fleas as it coats their exoskeleton. Coconut oil can soothe inflammation caused by flea bites too.

To use this natural flea repellent for dogs, place a walnut-sized coconut oil between your hands. Rub your palms together until the oil has melted completely.

Apply and massage it thoroughly on your dog’s coat and skin. Be sure to coat his entire body.

Pay close attention to the back of his neck, his underside, and the base of the tail. These are areas where fleas commonly congregate. Then run a flea comb on his fur to remove adult fleas and flea larvae.

Coconut oil is a non-toxic flea treatment for dogs. Thus, it is also safe to administer in pooches orally. The general guideline is 1 teaspoon per 9 kilos (20 pounds) of body weight. It can be served twice daily by mixing it with his dog food or dog treat.

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Natural Flea Treatment for Dogs #4: Add Garlic to Their Diet

Garlic is one of the natural remedies for fleas in dogs. Fleas hate the smell of garlic, so if dogs ingest it, they become a walking flea deterrent.

Some dog owners may be wary of garlic since is listed as toxic food for canines. However, this is often misconstrued since it would take 23 grams of garlic (6–8 cloves) to cause poisoning in dogs. That is quite a large amount.

To use garlic as a natural flea treatment for dogs, you will only need small quantities of it. The rule of thumb is 1/2 of a crushed clove per 10 kilos (22 pounds) of body weight.

Moreover, make sure not to feed your dog more than 2 cloves of garlic per day, regardless of how big he is. If you are unsure whether or not garlic is safe for your dog to consume, consult a holistic vet.

Natural Flea Treatment for Dogs #5: Apple Cider Vinegar Spray

Dog owners frequently ask: “Does vinegar kill fleas on dogs?” The answer is no, and this goes for apple cider vinegar too. However, it helps prevent fleas and ticks from infesting your dog.

You can make a homemade flea and tick spray for dogs using apple cider vinegar. Simply mix equal parts of vinegar and water.

However, if your dog does not like the smell of apple cider vinegar, go for a more diluted mixture. Combine 1 part vinegar with 3 parts water.

Note that the less concentrated formula is less likely to repel flea and ticks. Hence, gradually increase the amount of apple cider vinegar in the mixture once your dog is used to smell this natural flea and tick treatment for dogs.

Others recommend mixing apple cider vinegar with a dog’s water. Doing so is believed to make his skin unappealing for fleas. On the other hand, some vets discourage this method since apple cider vinegar is highly acidic.

Allowing dogs to consume this may damage their teeth and stomach in the long run. With this in mind, check with a holistic vet before mixing apple cider vinegar into your dog’s drink.

Natural Flea Treatment for Dogs #6: Dish Soap Flea Trap

Dish soap mixed with water makes an effective trap for these pesky insects. This highly viscous solution acts like glue that snares fleas.

Pour this mixture into a bowl and place it near areas where your dog sleeps or where there is heightened flea activity.

It is also advisable to have a night light present because fleas love warm light. They will attempt to jump towards it and end up drowning in the soapy water.

Fleas are nocturnal parasites, making them more active at night. Thus, carry out this remedy every evening.

Dish soap can help decrease flea infestations. However, it should be combined with other anti-flea methods to make it an effective solution.

Some dog owners recommend using dish soap as a flea shampoo. However, this is discouraged by experts since it can dry out your dog’s coat.

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Natural Flea Treatment for Dogs #7: Anti-Flea Herbal Spray

You can make an anti-flea spray at home. All you have to do is gather these ingredients and follow these instructions:

What you need:

• 250 ml witch hazel
• 500 ml lemon juice
• 2 litres water
• 4 litres vinegar

What to do:

1. Mix all of the ingredients in a large spray bottle.
2. Keep in mind that the flea spray functions as a repellent; it does not kill these insects. Thus, thoroughly clean and vacuum your home before using it. Apply steam cleaning on dog beds, upholstery, carpets, and rugs for best results. In this way, you remove most of the fleas and prevent them from infesting your home and your dog’s fur.
3. Spritz the flea spray on places in your home where fleas used to thrive.

Note: When choosing witch hazel, avoid the ones that contain isopropyl alcohol since it is toxic to dogs if ingested in large amounts. Those made with ethanol or vegetable glycerine are safer options.

For your dog’s safety, it would be best to keep him out of the areas where you have applied the flea spray.

Natural Flea Treatment for Dogs #8: Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth in Your Home

Whilst other natural flea remedies for dogs only act as a repellent; diatomaceous earth kills fleas. This fine powder has abrasive particles that can wear down a flea’s exoskeleton.

Once this happens, it sticks to their bodies, absorbing the moisture. As a result, fleas become dried up and eventually expire.

When looking for what type of diatomaceous earth to use, pick the food-grade variety. It is safer for humans and dogs than those used in gardens and pool filters.

Sprinkle the food-grade diatomaceous earth in areas of your home where fleas frequently swarm. Generally, it would take around 4 hours for the powder to eliminate these parasites. It is a good idea to leave it for 2 days for good measure.

Wear a face mask when pouring the powder since it may cause lung and eye irritation. Rooms treated with diatomaceous earth should be off-limits to your dog for the same reason.

We also discourage sprinkling the powder on your canine companion to avoid the risk of respiratory issues.

Fleas are tough parasites to get rid of off your furry friend. But with the help of these natural flea treatments for dogs, expect good results in the long haul.

Just make sure to be patient as flea infestations in pooches may take weeks or months to solve depending on their severity.

What home remedies kill fleas on dogs instantly?

Most home remedies for flea infestations work as a deterrent. They are more likely to keep fleas away from your dog than kill them.

However, out of all-natural treatments, diatomaceous earth proves to effectively eliminate these parasites, except that it takes a few hours for it to happen rather than instantly.

Most natural flea treatments for dogs cannot kill fleas instantly. If you are looking for a fast solution, work with the vet to figure out the appropriate treatment that eliminates fleas on dogs upon contact.

What is the best natural flea treatment for dogs?

Getting rid of fleas is not easy to do. Dog owners will need to use multiple methods to eliminate these parasites successfully.

Using a combination of the home remedies that we have listed above is the best natural flea treatment for dogs. You may need to undergo trial and error to find out which natural remedies are the most effective for your situation.