Tired of buying flea products you are not sure really work for your dogs? Looking for some practical home remedies on how to get rid of dog fleas naturally? Check out these home remedies to keep fleas away from your dogs.
Getting rid of fleas on your dog is important for every pet owner to keep their pet in top shape. Fleas are parasitic insects that feed on your dog’s blood. A flea bite can cause skin irritation, itching, swelling, and even infection.
To keep your dog in top shape, ensure that your furry companion is flea-free. And here are some home remedies you can try at home to combat fleas.
Practical Home Remedies for Fleas on Dogs
What home remedy will kill fleas on my dog? How do I get rid of fleas on my dog naturally? These are just some questions that dog owners often ask themselves.
Here are some home remedies for fleas on dogs that you can try at home to combat your flea problem.
For Your Dogs
Homemade dog shampoo
Bathing your dog in homemade dog shampoo for fleas and ticks is one of the ways of getting rid of these fleas. Made of household ingredients you can easily get your hands on, these shampoos are easy to prepare. Added to that, this natural flea shampoo is safe for your pet.
Pet owners recommend the Apple Cider Vinegar Homemade Dog Shampoo as an effective flea repellant. To make this, just mix one cup each of Apple Cider Vinegar, warm water, and liquid dishwashing soap. Mix well and store, then use as needed.
DIY Flea repellant collar
Did you know that your dog’s collar can be turned into a flea collar? To do this, you will need a tablespoon of witch hazel, a few drops of lavender oil, tea tree oil, or any other essential oil, and garlic oil. Mix these ingredients in a bowl and soak your dog’s collar in the mixture. Make sure that you soak or wet the whole of it thoroughly. Dry the collar overnight before using it on your pets.
The smell of the essential oils on the collar acts as an insect repellant that protects your pets from them.
Flea comb
A flea comb is one effective and natural flea control remedy you can resort to for immediate removal of fleas on your pet. This practical flea trap is affordable yet effective.
For double effectiveness, dip the flea comb into a mixture of 1 cup of water and half a cup of freshly squeezed lemon. Then, run the comb through your pet’s coat.
Apple cider vinegar
Fleas hate an environment with a higher acidic pH level. Spraying a solution with Apple Cider Vinegar would create an unwelcoming environment for these fleas.
To make this solution, mix 3 cups of apple cider vinegar with 2 cups of water. Add a pinch of salt and spray the liquid solution on your dog’s coat. As this contains vinegar, make sure to avoid your pet’s eyes and open wounds or blisters on the skin.
For Your Home
Lemon spray
Another flea treatment most dog owners resort to is a lemon spray. This is done by boiling thin slices of lemons in water. When the mixture has cooled down overnight, simply put it inside a spray bottle. Spray enough of the mixture on furniture, carpets, floors, and other areas where fleas may thrive.
Herbal flea spray
If you love the smell of herbs around your house, you would love this remedy too! Getting rid of fleas on your pet is now easy with your own herbal flea spray.
To prepare this, prepare 1 liter of vinegar, 500 ml water, a cup of lemon juice, and half a cup of witch hazel. Mix all these ingredients in a large spray bottle. Before using this spray, clean all carpets, beddings, pillows, and anything else you think might be infested with fleas. After cleaning, spray this mixture all around the house, including your furniture, bedding, etc.
Baking soda
Baking soda also helps in killing fleas. Just gather enough baking soda and sprinkle them on the furniture and carpets. Pay particular attention to putting more than enough on areas where fleas are populated. Leave the powder overnight. Vacuum everything thoroughly the following day and place the contents of the vacuum in a tightly sealed bag and dispose of them properly.
Can you use boric acid instead? Some people do. Though the two may be different in some ways, both are known effective ingredients for cleaners and insecticides.
Salt
Just as with baking soda, salt also helps dehydrate fleas to the point of killing them. Follow the same process above but use salt instead.
Diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth comes from natural sedimentary rocks that have been pounded in order to form a very fine whitish powder. This powder has been known to be an excellent liquid absorber. It hastens the evaporation of water from the bodies of fleas, causing them to dehydrate and eventually die. Hence, it has been considered an effective pest control.
To kill fleas at home with Diatomaceous earth, simply sprinkle the powder on areas in your home where there is flea infestation. Leave the powder for two days in order to work. After two days, vacuum thoroughly and dispose of the contents of the vacuum.
Precaution: when using Diatomaceous earth, always choose the food-grade variety like this one as it has lower crystalline silica content and is non-toxic to both humans and pets. Also, wear a mask when using this product. Even though it is non-toxic, the powder could cause irritation to your eyes and throat.
Herbal flea powder
Rosemary is one herb that helps repel fleas. Along with other herbs, rosemary works as a repellant powder to shoo fleas away from your house and away from your pet.
To make this herbal flea powder, gather rosemary leaves, fennel, peppermint, rue, and wormwood. Grind them to a powder with the use of a mortar and pestle. Gather the powder and sprinkle them all over your house, especially in places where fleas frequently thrive. The smell of these herbs will make the fleas flee the area.
Take note, though, that this solution only repels fleas. It does not kill them. If you prefer this repelling solution, be consistent in using this powder regularly.
Flea repelling plants
This method of remedy enlists the help of plants in order to shoo fleas away. Some plants repel fleas and other insects because these plants secrete a certain essential oil, compound, and chemical that insects and fleas will avoid.
There is a variety of plants that fleas will avoid. Placing these plants inside your homes, yard, and garden is an effective way of repelling fleas. Some of the plants that pet fleas particularly do not like are Rosemary, PennyRoyal, Chrysanthemums, Lavender, and Spearmint.
Bye, bye Fleas!
Get rid of fleas before they get rid of your dog!
With these practical solutions on how to get rid of fleas naturally, saying goodbye to fleas is now easier. Try one of these remedies now, and you’ll be glad your dog will no longer be scratching.
And without scratching, skin diseases and infections are also avoided. Bye-bye fleas, bye-bye flea bites. Hello, better health!
In serious cases of pet flea infestation, it is best to consult with your veterinarian on the appropriate solutions to keep your pet in the best of health.