10 Best Home Remedies For Fleas On Dogs

Fleas can be a major headache in the life of anyone who has pets, especially dogs and cats. Once they enter your home, they will not only infect and irritate the animal, they will lay their eggs on furniture, carpets, blankets, and other household items.

Looking for a solution that works to eliminate fleas and ticks, without the need to use products based on chemical substances? Here we leave you a selection of the best home remedies to get rid of fleas on dogs, naturally, effectively, and safely.

Note: Many pet owners prefer to avoid the use of chemical flea treatments due to the potential for a toxic reaction. Even so, it is important to keep in mind that some severe cases of flea infection may require the application of these products, always under the supervision of the veterinarian.

Top 10 home remedies for fleas on dogs

Fortunately, there are not a few natural ingredients and preparations that serve to put these small invaders in check. Fleas are known to be especially sensitive to certain compounds and strong odors, which is why they try to escape if we put them in direct contact with them.

*It should be noted that most of the ingredients listed below work well as a repellant; that is, they will force the fleas out, but they will not directly kill the fleas.

To achieve a better presentation of the content compiled in this section, we have preferred to group the different remedies into:

Sprays, washes, and rubs
Homemade necklaces
Food and drinks

While some of the remedies may be more effective than others, overall these are the 10 best home remedies for fleas on dogs …

Sprays, washes, and rubs

1. Essential oil spray

Fleas are known to dislike the smell of some essential oils. These include citronella oil, eucalyptus, rosemary, cedarwood, lavender, and lemon.

You can prepare an anti-flea spray by mixing several drops of the chosen essential oil in a bottle of water; shake well before use and spray directly onto your dog’s coat. Let it act for 10-20 minutes and start sweeping the fleas with the help of a comb.

Essential oils should always be used with caution. Avoid applying an essential oil that is not safe for dogs (tea tree, cinnamon, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, wintergreen, etc.).

2. Vinegar and salt flea spray

Vinegar is one of the most effective and popular home ingredients to kill fleas since its smell is totally unpleasant for them. In addition, sea salt helps dehydrate not only fleas but also their eggs and larvae.

To prepare this spray, it is recommended to mix water and vinegar in equal parts, add ½ – 1 teaspoon of salt, shake well and spray it generously on the pet’s fur, always avoiding the eye area and the snout. You will be able to see how the fleas try to flee in just a matter of minutes.

To see better results, you can repeat its application for several days. Keep in mind that vinegar can cause burning and discomfort in the areas of skin that are most irritated.

Recommended article: Vinegar for Fleas – 4 Ways to Use it on Dogs

3. Bath with lemon

This lemon bath is an effective remedy and very easy to prepare. You just have to dilute ½ cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice in 2 cups of water, add a little of your usual shampoo or soap and combine very well to form a foamy mixture.

Then use it to bathe your pet, making sure to lather their fur thoroughly so the fleas have no choice but to get out.

4. Bath with dish detergent (Dawn)

Although not exactly a natural ingredient, Dawn brand detergent is a very popular and effective home remedy for getting rid of fleas. Prepare a warm water bath in the bathtub and soak your pet well; Put a small amount of detergent in your hand and start rubbing it into her fur.

Rinse with plenty of water as soon as you see the fleas start to come out and fall on the bathtub. Remove excess water with a towel and comb your dog with a fine-tooth comb to remove any remaining fleas.

Due to its neutral pH level, moderate use of Dawn detergent as a flea poison is not considered irritating or harmful to dogs.

5. Rosemary rinse

Fleas hate the smell of rosemary. A good way to take advantage of its repellent effect is to prepare a rinse with fresh rosemary branches.

Add the rosemary to a pot of boiling water, cover and let cool; once the water is at a comfortable temperature, remove the branches and use this infusion to soak your dog’s body. Let the rinse drain off and dry naturally.

6. Neem oil rubs

Many are unaware of its potential, but neem oil is a natural repellent for parasites and insects, including fleas and ticks. If you have this oil, do not hesitate to take advantage of it. It is recommended to apply a moderate amount to the animal’s fur, massaging and rubbing to make it impregnate.

Other forms of use to consider are adding neem oil to your regular shampoo or diluting it with water to make an anti-flea spray.

7. Hairstyle with lemon juice

You will only need special lice or flea comb (with fine teeth) and fresh lemon juice. As we mentioned before, lemon is a good natural repellent.

Dip the comb in plenty of lemon juice and run it through the fur, combing deeply. Repeat several times until all the hair has been impregnated and you see that the fleas begin to escape.

Did you know…?

Relative to their size, fleas can jump farther than any other insect. It is said that if an average-sized person had the same jumping ability as a flea, then he could jump almost 90 meters wide and 50 meters high.

Homemade necklaces

8. Homemade necklace with essential oil of lavender or cedar

Although there are numerous variants of this remedy, the homemade flea collar based on essential oils is one of the most successful alternatives. This is an ingenious technique that favors constant protection, without the need to spray or rub the dog with a mixture.

Take a simple handkerchief and dip it in a solution of water with lavender essential oil, or cedarwood essential oil; place the bandana as a collar around the pet’s neck… and simply let it act. This will make the fleas feel the need to go outside.

Food and drinks

9. Apple cider vinegar in drinking water

Fleas can also be fought from the inside out. Precisely, another way to take advantage of the anti-flea power of vinegar is to add 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to the water that the pet drinks.

Its ability to balance pH levels in the body helps create an environment that is optimal for dog health, but unsustainable for fleas6.

10. Brewer’s yeast in food

Perhaps many do not know this remedy, but it is a good suggestion to eliminate fleas naturally from the inside. It is recommended to add a small dose (1/2 teaspoon) of baking powder to the dog’s food, repeating for several days.

Combining yeast with omega-3 fats has been reported to offer the best results.

How to get rid of fleas in the house fast? Remedies and tips

When it comes to fleas, it is not enough to disinfect our dogs. Remember that fleas not only invade the pet, but they also lay their eggs on furniture, carpets, bedding, and other corners of the house. That said, it will be almost impossible to eradicate the infestation if you don’t get rid of all the fleas found on household items.

Here are the most important steps to put them in check:

The first step will be to collect all the soft items that the dog has contact with on a regular basis, such as blankets, towels, bedding, pillows, and mats. Inspect for possible fleas, shake them off and throw them in the washing machine to wash them thoroughly in hot water.

After washing, comes drying. Putting all of these items in the dryer will be even more effective at neutralizing fleas. Just 15 minutes of hot air in the dryer is enough to eliminate not only adult fleas but also their eggs and larvae.
The vacuum cleaner will be another great ally when it comes to disinfecting the house. The best option would be a water-based vacuum, as the fleas will drown as soon as they are picked up, but dry vacuums can also work; just remember that fleas will try to escape as soon as you open the vacuum canister or bag, so it’s best to do this step outside.

4 home remedies to get rid of fleas on your dog

1. Baking soda

You can use baking soda to sprinkle it directly on carpets. Use a brush or broom to make the powder penetrate the fibers well and leave it to act overnight. Baking soda will help you solve the problem thanks to its ability to dehydrate fleas and their eggs.

2. Floor

In the same way as in the previous remedy, sprinkling salt on carpets and furniture causes dehydration, and therefore, the death of these invaders.

3. Lemon spray

Cut a lemon into slices, boil it in ½ liter of water and let the mixture cool overnight. The next morning, transfer the liquid to a spray bottle and spray it on rugs and similar household items. This can be your daily flea spray.

4. Diatomaceous earth

Diatomaceous earth is a fine powder created from the microscopic remains of algae. It is known that this compound has an excellent repellent effect against insects, which is why it is recommended to sprinkle it on surfaces infected by fleas.

It is important to let it act for 24-48 hours, so it is best to warn the other inhabitants of the house and block off the area so that your dog does not get close. Diatomaceous earth is an effective way to dry out and kill flea eggs, as well as prevent future infestations.

How to get rid of fleas in the yard naturally?

If your dog has fleas and spends time in your yard, deck, or garden, there’s a good chance the invaders are lurking in those areas, too. Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there.

When it comes to home remedies for outdoor fleas, here are some of the best tips.

Whenever possible, keep your garden airy and uncovered. Fleas love to hide, so the more open the environment, the less likely they are to take up residence. Always keep the garden free of weeds and trim or remove bushes and leafy hedges.
Pay attention to excess moisture. Fleas thrive best in dark, moist places. Examine your yard or garden and ask yourself where they are most likely to hide. With this in mind, remove dead branches and leaves, allowing as much sunlight in as possible. It is also important to avoid overwatering in these areas.
Lean on flea-repellent plants. This is another excellent remedy to drive them away naturally. If you have the land to plant or can put in pots, include strong-smelling plants like spearmint, lavender, rosemary, thyme, sage, cloves, and basil.

In the yard, consider introducing a natural predator. For example, nematodes are small worms that feed on flea larvae and are easy to find at garden stores or pet stores. They have been found to be highly effective; they have the ability to reduce the flea population in as little as 2 days. Note: This type of nematode is known as “beneficial nematode”; it is not the same type that is known to infect animals, such as the heartworm.

Quick Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Which of all the home remedies for fleas is most effective?

All the remedies listed in this article can help you fight fleas successfully, but if we had to choose one, in particular, it would be vinegar.

Vinegar, whether white or apple cider vinegar, not only has a powerful repellent effect against fleas but is also considered a versatile ingredient. We can use it topically in sprays, baths, and rinses, and orally by mixing it in drinking water.

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