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What are Natural Flea Killers for Dogs?
The natural flea killer for dogs is a natural herb or oil that can be used to kill fleas and manage infestations. Pet parents often use a natural flea killer for dogs as it is a budget-friendly option and free from harmful chemicals.
According to Pet MD, natural flea killers for dogs are available in a variety of styles, including oils, oral supplements, and powders. The most popular option is essential oils.
Do Natural Flea Repellents for Dogs Work?
Yes, natural flea repellents for dogs work. However, the exact working mechanism depends on the specific repellent.
According to My Pet Nutritionist, using a natural flea killer for dogs is much safer than chemical treatments. The site also states that natural repellents are usually effective.
Rather than poisoning fleas and ticks, they repel them. The repelling effect safely prevents a dog from becoming host to fleas.
What are the Benefits of Using Natural Flea Repellent for Dogs?
There are many benefits to using natural remedies for dogs. Here are some of the benefits of using a natural flea killer for dogs:
- No Harsh Chemicals. The regular flea treatment for dogs (topicals, oral tablets, and flea collars) contains insecticides and chemicals that can kill adult fleas and larvae. Common ingredients are permethrin, pyrethrin, and fipronil. Natural flea killers and repellents are free from such chemicals.
- Suitable for Sensitive Skin. Mainstream, chemical flea prevention products may cause irritations and allergic reactions in sensitive dogs. Natural flea repellents are safe even for dogs with skin sensitivities.
- Easy to Use. Most natural flea repellents for dogs are easy to use. All they take is simple scrubbing of the dog’s coat with hands, saturating the fur with a mix in a spray bottle, or pouring a shampoo mixture over a dog’s coat will work.
- Budget-Friendly Protection. Many natural flea repellents are inexpensive and can be made with ingredients the pet owners already have in their homes, such as lemon juice or coconut oil. Others can be purchased online for budget-friendly prices.
What Repels Fleas in Dogs Naturally?
There are many products and methods available in stores and online that work to repel fleas naturally. Listed below are a few examples that may work for your dog.
Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar. The Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is made with natural ingredients and offers various health benefits, including solving the flea problem in dogs.
After you wash a dog with its normal soap, mix one-part apple cider vinegar (ACV) with five parts of warm water and pour it over the dog. Rub the apple cider vinegar into the dog’s skin and let it sit for a minute or two. Rinse with warm water afterward.
Wholistic Pet Diatomaceous Earth. The Wholistic Pet diatomaceous earth product consists of organic ingredients. In addition to repelling fleas naturally, diatomaceous earth supports the dog’s overall health.
Diatomaceous earth kills and prevents fleas and flea eggs from dogs and the environment. It works by damaging the exoskeleton and draining the water from the fleas’ bodies. However, only diatomaceous earth labeled as “food-grade“ is safe for dogs.
Essential Oils. Essential oils can be great for treating and killing fleas on dogs. However, in their raw form, oils can be dangerous to dogs. Vitality Extracts states that only diluted oils are safe for dogs.
You can use one drop of essential oil (eucalyptus, palmarosa, lavender, lemon, clary sage) per one milliliter of carrier oil (like coconut oil). Do not use wintergreen, pennyroyal, clove, or peppermint essential oils, as they can be dangerous to dogs.
Lemon Juice. Lemon is a natural flea-repellant and can be used in the form of a lemon spray as a daily preventative. Simply mix water and a few drops of lemon juice into a spray bottle.
Instead of spraying, you can practice lemon juice baths. Just add a few drops of lemon juice to the dog’s shampoo. This is a great recipe for making a DIY flea shampoo.
A lemon juice bath can also be an effective way to prevent and treat fleas. A few drops can be added to any dog-safe shampoo. You can also make a DIY flea shampoo by adding equal parts of lemon juice and baking soda to the shampoo.
Zesty Paws Coconut Oil. The Zesty Paws coconut oil can be used internally or externally on the dog’s fur. When used on the dog’s skin, it helps relieve itchiness and irritation caused by flea bites.
Coconut oil, in general, doesn’t kill fleas. However, it is the most commonly used carrier oil in natural flea repellents for dogs. Plus, with the flea bite managing component, coconut oil is a 2-in-1 product for dogs.
- The Bragg ACV is raw, unfiltered, and crafted from organically grown apples. It is USDA certified organic, Non-GMO Verified, and Kosher certified.
- Drinking a daily dose of Bragg Organic ACV offers many health benefits. ACV can help support a healthy immune system, aids in maintaining a healthy weight, delivers prebiotics, and helps you maintain normal glucose levels.
- The Bragg ACV Vinegar is made from organically grown apples, and offers various health benefits. To easily incorporate ACV into your diet, you can take a daily 2 oz shot, pour it over your salad, drink in a morning elixir with water and lemon, or add it to your hot tea.
What is the Best Natural Flea Repellent for Dogs?
There are some natural flea remedies available that are specific for removing and preventing ticks and fleas. Here are some highly recommended natural flea killer for dogs products.
TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick Maximum Strength Shampoo for Dogs. This shampoo will ensure your dog is flea-free by killing adult fleas, flea larvae, and flea eggs, as well as ticks and mosquitos. The shampoo is made with essential oils and repels pests for up to 7 days. It is safe for dogs 12 weeks and older. It will also leave a pet smelling fresh and citrusy.
Tropiclean Natural Flea and Tick Spray for Dogs. This natural flea spray for dogs kills fleas, larvae, eggs, and ticks on dogs 12 weeks or older. It is made from essential oils and free from harmful ingredients. The spray can be applied directly to a dog’s coat or bedding. However, be careful not to spray it on the dog’s eyes, mouth, and nose.
Wondercide Flea, Tick and Mosquito Spray for Dogs. This pest-repelling spray can be used on dogs and cats. It is family-safe and made from essential oils. The product kills and repels fleas, flea larvae, flea eggs, ticks, and mosquitos on contact. Because of its gentle formula, it is approved and recommended by holistic vets.
The natural flea killer for dogs can be used on its own or in conjunction with flea combs. Flea combs are excellent for removing fleas physically. For example, after applying the natural flea treatment, just comb your dog to remove dead fleas. Leaving the fleas to fall the natural way would take much longer.
Also, it is important to eliminate the fleas from the environment – the dog’s bed, carpet, and other furniture. Vacuuming is efficient for achieving flea control, but if dealing with a severe flea infestation, it might be a good idea to talk with a professional cleaning service.
How do You Make Homemade Flea Killer for Dogs?
There are various natural home remedies that can be made using simple ingredients to kill fleas. For example, you can put fresh rosemary in boiling water to make a chemical-free flea dip.
According to Pet MD, juices from both oranges and lemons can get rid of fleas on dogs. Just put a few juice drops in the dog shampoo or dish soap and bathe your dog with the DIY flea shampoo.
Here is a simple recipe for a natural flea killer for dogs from Animal Hearted:
Ingredients
- 1 cup of apple cider vinegar
- 1 quart of warm water
- 1 cup of liquid dish soap
Directions
- Mix the warm water and the apple cider vinegar together in a large bowl
- Slowly add the liquid dish soap
- Mix all of the ingredients and pour them into a spray bottle
- Give the bottle a gentle shake to ensure everything is properly combined.
You can use this flea shampoo just like any regular dog shampoo – massage it in the dog’s skin and let it stay for 5 minutes before rinsing with warm water. Finally, dry the dog’s coat with a towel or hairdryer.
FAQs
What kills fleas on dogs instantly naturally? ›
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar's slightly acidic pH level creates an inhospitable environment for fleas. Mix six cups of ACV with four cups of water (use a 6:4 ratio), add a pinch of salt, and spray the mixture on your dog's coat and underbelly, making sure to avoid their eyes and any wounds they may have.
Natural Solutions
Using a natural preventative is far safer and effective than conventional means. In using chemical treatments, these are designed to kill the parasite once on the host, whereas the natural prevention aims to repel fleas and ticks, so your cat or dog doesn't even become a host.
Commercial Products from Your Veterinarian
The most common product used to kill fleas on dogs instantly is Nitenpyram, more commonly known as Capstar. This single-use tablet is administered orally and kills fleas within 30 minutes. It is recommended that you contain your pet in a small area when using Capstar.
You can also use a flea shampoo or a fast-acting chemical treatment, such as a flea pill that kills the fleas on your dog within hours. Again, it's important to ask your dog's veterinarian for recommendations.
What is the best homemade flea killer? ›Create a flea spray by mixing 4 liters of vinegar, 2 liters of water, 500 ml of lemon juice and 250 ml of witch hazel in a large spray bottle. Before applying the product around your home, you should vacuum properly, emptying the contents into an outside bin, and wash any bedding/cushions that could be infested.
What kills fleas permanently? ›Choose an insecticide that contains both an adulticide (kills adult fleas), such as permethrin, and an insect growth regulator (kills the eggs, larvae, and pupae), such as methoprene or pyriproxyfen.
What is a guaranteed way to get rid of fleas? ›- Use baking soda. ...
- Sprinkle salt. ...
- Lemon spray. ...
- Wash all bedding in hot, soapy water. ...
- Use rosemary. ...
- Hire a steam cleaner. ...
- Use a powerful vacuum. ...
- Use a pet-safe flea spray.
Getting rid of fleas is a difficult process due to the long lifecycle of a flea. Moderate to severe infestations will take months to control and require a four-step process for complete elimination: Sanitation. Thoroughly clean areas where fleas frequently breed.
How do you get rid of fleas in 24 hours? ›Home Pest Control : How to Kill Fleas in 24 Hours - YouTube
What kills dog fleas and eggs? ›Mopping and steam cleaning can help to kill flea eggs, and washing linens, bedding and pet beds in the washing machine on the hot cycle is also advisable.
What do fleas hate on dogs? ›
Fleas have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find accessible food sources. You can take advantage of this trait by using scents they dislike, such as cedarwood, mint, vinegar, clove oil, citrus, DEET, lemongrass oil, and rosemary oil.
Can I spray vinegar on my dog for fleas? ›In short: using vinegar solution or white vinegar on your pet's fur or in their drinking water will not kill fleas. There is a chance ACV could repel fleas because they don't like the taste, but it is only a mild detergent and is not the best flea remedy. ACV should not be your first choice for natural flea treatment.
What kills fleas in 30 minutes? ›ORAL FLEA TREATMENT
CAPSTAR® (nitenpyram) oral tablets start killing adult fleas in just 30 minutes. Watch the dead fleas fall off your pet.
Vacuum often. All four stages of fleas are killed after vacuuming, with a 96 percent success rate. Homes that are vacuumed often will usually not have a flea problem that persists for long, because the eggs, larvae, pupa and adult fleas will all be killed or removed through the vacuum.
How do you get rid of fleas in super fast? ›How to get rid of fleas fast - YouTube
What product kills all stages of fleas? ›Bravecto® also is sold as a topical solution for both dogs and cats. The reason these products are so effective is that they kill adult fleas quickly, within 24 hours of jumping on the animal.
Why won't the fleas go away? ›Not treating often enough
Fleas go through a life cycle of egg, larvae, pupae and adult. Most flea treatments just kill adult fleas, but fleas can continue to emerge for months after you think an infestation has ended. When a newly emerged female flea finds a host, she can lay eggs within one day.
If you do see fleas and they are moving slow enough to catch – success – they are busy dying!
How do you get rid of 100 percent fleas? ›- Step 1: Brush your pet with a flea comb. Our experts recommended initially brushing your pet with a flea comb to remove any fleas. ...
- Step 2: Give your pet a bath. ...
- Step 3: Disinfect the house. ...
- Step 4: Prevent future infestations.
Citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, and rosemary will all naturally repel fleas. If your dog doesn't mind a spray bottle, dilute a few drops of your chosen essential oil into a 300ml-400ml of water and spray directly onto your dog's coat.
How do you get rid of dog fleas once and for all? ›
You should first comb the pet with a flea comb to remove fleas and flea eggs, etc. Then you need to shampoo the pet with a good, safe “flea-dip” shampoo. Wash your pet's bedding and any other bedding (a favorite easy chair, your bedspread) where your pet sleeps.
Can I put baking soda on my dog for fleas? ›Baking soda does not kill adult fleas and will do nothing to protect your pets. It is excellent at absorbing smells and has been suggested by some online pet sites for use as a flea killer because it “may” dry out flea eggs and larvae. But there is no evidence that using baking soda to kill fleas is effective at all.
› health › healthy-home-guide ›How to Get Rid of Fleas: A Combination Approach
Get Rid of Fleas in Your Home
How to Get Rid of Dog Fleas – American Kennel Club
- Use baking soda. ...
- Sprinkle salt. ...
- Lemon spray. ...
- Wash all bedding in hot, soapy water. ...
- Use rosemary. ...
- Hire a steam cleaner. ...
- Use a powerful vacuum. ...
- Use a pet-safe flea spray.
More good news: salt baths have been reported to kill fleas by dehydrating the pesky critters. Although they may not completely resolve your dog's flea problem, a salt bath can be part of a treatment regime to combat fleas on your dog.
What kills fleas and eggs on dogs? ›But several over-the-counter products are very effective. We recommend Frontline Plus Flea & Tick Treatment, a topical liquid that you apply to the skin between your dog's shoulder blades once a month. If you prefer shampoo, Adams Plus is extremely effective in killing adult fleas, eggs, and larvae.
Does vinegar keep fleas off dogs? ›Apple cider vinegar can't kill fleas, but it can help to repel them. Fleas don't like the smell or taste of it, so they're likely to avoid your pet if they have it on their fur. Dilute apple cider vinegar in water and add it to a spray bottle.
What kills fleas permanently? ›Choose an insecticide that contains both an adulticide (kills adult fleas), such as permethrin, and an insect growth regulator (kills the eggs, larvae, and pupae), such as methoprene or pyriproxyfen.
What kills fleas and eggs instantly? ›Hot Water. Washing linens and bedding in water that is 140 degrees or hotter will be effective to destroy most flea eggs that have made their way into fabrics and upholstery. Steam cleaning carpets after vacuuming can also help to kill remaining flea eggs.
How do you make homemade flea killer for dogs? ›Dilute six cups of apple cider vinegar with four cups of water, add a dash of sea salt, then spray directly onto your dog's coat. Make sure to avoid your dog's eyes.
Can I put table salt on my dog for fleas? ›
Make sure not to use salt on your dog or cat. It is a dehydrating agent, which won't only affect the fleas. It can dry out your pet's skin and irritate it. Instead, use your favorite natural shampoo or anti-flea drops that are entirely safe for your furry friend.
What kind of bath kills fleas on dogs? ›Check out the homemade shampoo recipes listed here to find one which suits your dog. Ingredients for homemade dog wash: Water, white vinegar, and Dawn Dish Soap. Using Dawn is recommended because it works best for killing fleas where other brands may not, and it's the safest for your pet.
How do I get rid of fleas in my house fast? ›1 Vacuum your home. 2 Steam-clean carpets and furniture. 3 Wash bedding in hot water. 4 Spot-treat your home with insecticide spray.
What do fleas hate? ›Strong odors like eucalyptus, lavender, clove, citrus, peppermint and citronella work as effective repellents. Cedar beds for dogs are so popular because of their ability to repel fleas. The scent won't kill fleas but it does effectively repel them.
Can I put baking soda on my dog for fleas? ›Baking soda does not kill adult fleas and will do nothing to protect your pets. It is excellent at absorbing smells and has been suggested by some online pet sites for use as a flea killer because it “may” dry out flea eggs and larvae. But there is no evidence that using baking soda to kill fleas is effective at all.
Where do fleas hide on dogs? ›To inspect your dog, turn her onto her back and check the areas that allow fleas to hide best. The armpits and groin are two areas that tend to be warm and protected, making them preferred spots for large flea populations. Check the ears carefully for signs of scratching, redness, blood, or dirt.
What dish soap kills fleas? ›“Dawn (and other soaps like it) creates a kind of surfactant, or surface tension, that will compromise the exoskeleton and make adult fleas sink,” he says. So essentially, the soap drowns the fleas.
How often should I spray my dog with apple cider vinegar for fleas? ›Spray your pup once a week or when your dog starts scratching, and don't forget to work the solution down into your pet's skin. After you give it a try, come back and tell us how it worked and what you thought of the spray.