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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.
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 naturally kills fleas instantly? ›You can use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, which is both effective in dealing with pests. Mixing essential oils like cedar or lavender can make the solution powerful. You can damp cloth with a vinegar solution on infested areas and on your pets to ensure that all fleas will be gone for good.
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.
Do fleas ever fully go away? ›You might be asking yourself will fleas eventually go away? While some could last 2 – 3 weeks, they could also live for up to 12 months on the host it finds, so it is unlikely they will go away on their own. Fleas can also reproduce very quickly by laying eggs in carpet, bedding, or garden prolonging the infestation.
Can you ever totally get rid of fleas? ›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.
Can you get rid of fleas forever? ›Because fleas go through a four-stage life cycle (eggs, larvae, pupae and adult), you must kill every stage to get permanently rid of the fleas. Vacuum and mop every floor in your home.
How do you get rid of dog fleas overnight? ›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.
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.
ORAL FLEA TREATMENT
CAPSTAR® (nitenpyram) oral tablets start killing adult fleas in just 30 minutes. Watch the dead fleas fall off your pet.
Natural flea repellents such as citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, and geraniol may naturally repel fleas. If your pet doesn't mind a spray bottle, dilute a few drops of your chosen repellent into 10-13 fl oz of water and spray directly onto your pet's coat.
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.
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 are 3 remedies for killing 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.
Outdoor Flea Removal
A 3% hydrogen peroxide solution may just be your answer. Peroxide is a common insecticide used in gardens and other agricultural sites. Not only does it kill fleas due to its toxic nature, but it can also eradicate other pests from your foliage as well.
If you do see fleas and they are moving slow enough to catch – success – they are busy dying!
How do you break the life cycle of a flea? ›Fleas cannot fly, but they move by jumping from object to object. It can take up to 3 months to break a total flea life cycle by using monthly flea treatments. For indoor flea control, vacuuming all floors, carpets, baseboards, pet bedding and furniture will help remove adult fleas and eggs.
Can fleas live in human hair? ›First, is it possible for fleas to live in human hair? The short answer is no. There are more than 2000 types of fleas around the globe. However, there is no evidence that these insects can live on the human body or scalp.
How do you get rid of fleas and keep them gone? ›
Choose an insecticide that contains an insect growth regulator (ICR). These are chemicals (e.g., methoprene and pyriproxyfen) that prevent fleas from reproducing. Treat all soft surfaces, including carpeting, with the insecticide.
Do fleas go away after a while? ›Once a flea infestation begins, it can take a while to completely clear it. Flea larvae can remain dormant in your home for months, so new fleas may continue to emerge — even after treatment.
Can I use Dawn to wash my dog for fleas? ›Veterinarians also generally don't recommend using Dawn for fleas because of skin-related issues. “For example, if the pet already has irritation from having a number of fleas on the skin, and you're putting Dawn on skin that's already irritated, there is potential for it to worsen,” says Dr. Reeder.
How long can fleas be left untreated? ›In the presence of a host, a flea can live up to 1 year. Without a host, they can survive for only 1 or 2 weeks. If your home is warm and humid, they may live longer than they would under dry or cold conditions.
What does baking soda do to 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.
What do flea hate the most? ›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.
Does Vicks Vaporub repel fleas? ›Deter Insects
It is also an insect repellant and kills fleas," says Jose. "This is the major substance in Vicks, aside from Vicks use in upper respiratory infections, that can be used to repel mosquitoes and even 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.
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 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.
Can Dawn dish soap get rid of fleas on dogs? ›
Yes, dawn dish soap does kill fleas and they will die within minutes, making it a very time effective way to deal with these pests.
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.
How do I get rid of a flea infestation ASAP? ›Thoroughly clean areas where fleas frequently breed. This includes washing bedding, rugs, and pet bedding, and thoroughly vacuuming and sweeping floors and carpeted areas and along the edges of walls. Pet treatment. Every pet in the home must be treated.
Does baking soda get rid of 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.
Does vinegar get rid of fleas? ›While Apple Cider Vinegar does not kill fleas, it may repel them because fleas dislike its smell and taste. One of the most simple ways to use this natural flea repellent is to make a solution out of equal parts apple cider vinegar and water.
Does salt and vinegar get rid of fleas off dogs? ›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.
Is Dawn dish soap the only one that kills fleas? ›Dawn dish soap, as well as other brands of dish soap, shampoos, and any other chemical that forms suds, can be used to kill fleas. This is because they interfere with the surface tension, stopping fleas from floating and causing them to drown.
Is Dawn the only dish soap that kills fleas? ›Yes, any detergent will kill fleas. They lower the surface tension by acting as a surfactant and thus damage the flea's exoskeleton. A foul-proof method to drown the bugs in the water! However, allow roughly 5-10 minutes after applying the dish soap and then rinse the pet.
Will fleas jump in a bowl of water? ›Flea Traps & Water
The light attracts the fleas, causing them to jump and land in the water. Adult fleas are positively phototactic, meaning they're attracted to sources of light. Adding a few drops of dish soap to the water reduces the surface tension. As a result, the fleas sink and drown.
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. If your dog has a strong odor, rinse him with white vinegar to remove the stink.