Home Remedies for Getting Rid of Fleas on Dogs
How to stop your home from becoming a flea circus
Dealing with fleas can be... a lot, both for your dog and for your household. To combat them, you have a choice between commercial chemical products and natural remedies. If you’re dealing with a flea infestation, you should probably turn to the hard stuff. But if you want to prevent fleas from hitching a ride on your pet in the first place, here are some benefits of natural flea treatments for dogs – many of which you can mix up from ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
What’s the deal with fleas?
Regardless of what breed they are or where they live, many dogs are afflicted by fleas. These tiny pests, whose bites provoke an itching sensation, irritate dogs no end and result in what seems like non-stop scratching. Scratching is just the tip of the iceberg, though. Dogs who are allergic to flea saliva can develop skin redness, welts and swelling, not to mention skin lesions from constant licking. Flea bites can also cause anaemia, and – if fleas are ingested during the dog’s non-stop grooming – tapeworm infestations.
Then there’s the housework. A dog’s constant scratching spreads loose hair and dead skin. Adding to the challenge, fleas lay eggsopens in new tab in inaccessible and difficult-to-clean areas of your home, including along skirting boards, under furniture and in cracks between floorboards. Clearly you need to fight back – both for your pup’s sanity and your own. Here are some home remedies to get rid of those pesky fleas.
How to get rid of fleas on dogs
Depending on where you live, fleas may be a seasonal or a year-round problem. “We try to avoid using toxins in and on our pets (and in our own environments), but in some cases, we may need to choose our battles based on how difficult the flea or tick problem is to tackle,” says Dr Katie Kangas.
How much do you spend on your pet per year?
Generally, they’re the biggest menace during the summer when dogs spend more time outside. “Fortunately, in many geographical regions, the use of pharmaceutical flea and tick products can be avoided through much of the year and minimised to only a few times of use during the summer season,” says Dr Kangas. “To best support our pets’ health and wellbeing, there are natural, non-toxic options for flea and tick prevention.”
Fleas themselves are very tiny and move quickly, so a simple visual inspection isn’t always enough. To find out if your dog has fleas, check for black specks on their coat and skin. These are flea droppings (ugh). Or you can check for specks by rubbing a white tissue across your dog’s fur. Here are some natural home remedies if your sleuthing turns up evidence of fleas.
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Flea comb
An affordable and practical solution, a flea comb is a must-have for pet parents looking for a natural flea-killer. They come in various sizes, but all have closely spaced teeth that remove both eggs and fleas from the dog’s coat. (Be sure to dip the comb in soapy water after each pass to kill the eggs and adults the comb picks up.) This is a great first step in your war on these pests.
Baths
Pop your pup in the tub, add a splash of pet shampoo and get lathering!
Flea collars
Flea collars can be a really handy, low-fuss way to protect dogs from fleas, especially if yours isn’t a fan of spot-ons or tablets. They work by slowly releasing small amounts of flea-killing ingredients that spread across your dog’s skin and coat, either through natural oils or contact. Once in place, they offer continuous protection for months, killing fleas on contact before they have a chance to bite – and many also help repel ticks.
How to get rid of fleas in your home and garden
A flea’s life cycle – from egg to adult – is roughly two to three weeks, so weekly cleaning goes a long way towards preventing fleas from settling in. “Natural options for flea and tick repellents in their environment are also an effective preventive measure,” says Dr Kangas. “Keep in mind that fleas live more in the environment than on the pet, so if you‘re finding them on your pet you‘ll want to address your home environment as well.”
One of the first things to do when you notice a flea infestation is to wash (using hot water if possible) all machine-washable soft furnishings your dog comes in contact with, including sofa and pillow covers, blankets, cushion covers and curtains – then tumble dry for about 20 minutes on high (or a little longer on lower heat if the material is subject to shrinkage). This will kill both adult fleas and larvae. Even when you don’t see fleas, it’s a good idea to regularly wash anything your dog sleeps on, and to vacuum floors and furniture at least weekly; a monthly steam-cleaning can also help.
More than 90 percent of the flea population in the home environment is in the form of eggs, larvae and pupae. Flea larvae don’t like light, so be sure to vacuum under furniture and around skirting boards, too.
Baking soda and salt
Baking soda and salt dehydrate fleas and their eggs. Liberally sprinkle the mixture around your house and use a broom to work it into carpet fibres or under furniture. Leave for a day or two and vacuum thoroughly. Clean your vacuum carefully afterwards (salt can cause rust) and, as with diatomaceous earth, empty the vacuum or replace the bag outside.
Nematodes
Small worms that eat insect larvae, nematodes live in the soil, and some types can be very helpful in the fight against termites, grubs and fleas. Order them online and mix the nematodes with water, then spray throughout your garden. “Nematodes are used to protect gardens and plants from ants and caterpillars but also provide effective prevention for fleas and ticks, as they feed on these insect’s larvae stages while they are still in the soil,” says Dr Kangas. Beneficial nematodesopens in new tab begin to search for flea larvae and pupae when released into the soil. On finding the flea, they enter through natural body openings and release symbiotic bacteria that stops the flea developing and kills it within 24–48 hours. Read the packaging carefully; it’s very important to use the correct amount of water.
Rosemary
Steep the rosemary needles in boiling water, strain and dilute. When the water reaches a comfortable temperature, pour it over your dog and work into their coat. Using a pestle and mortar, you can also make a fine powder with dried rosemary, fennel, wormwood and rue to sprinkle around your home. Make sure your dog is comfortable with the smell before using it as a dip or an ingredient in the sprinkling powder. While rosemary is generally safe, avoid using concentrated rosemary essential oil directly on pets, as it can be toxic.
Above all, feed your dog a balanced diet and be vigilant about their health. Fleas are less successful at setting up shop on healthy, well-fed dogs.
Essential oils
While some essential oils have been rumoured to keep fleas away, they should not be used, as many are toxic to dogs (and downright deadly to catsopens in new tab). It’s best to consult with your vet before considering them. If there are cats in your home, steer clear of essential oils entirely – that includes essential oil diffusers, because they are usually toxic.
Essential oils toxic to dogs: tea tree oil, pennyroyal, oil of wintergreen and pine oils.
Essential oils toxic to cats: tea tree oil, pennyroyal, oil of wintergreen, pine oils, oil of sweet birch, citrus oil (D-limonene), ylang ylang oil, peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, clove oil and eucalyptus oil.
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