Getting Rid of Dog Fleas the Natural Way
Fleas are something that most dog owners have had to deal with at some point or another, and it’s a miserable experience for both dog and owner. Fleas are not just annoying in the fact that they cause your dog to be miserable, they can also cause other health issues for your pet. When an infestation happens, all the itching and scratching can cause skin irritation that can lead to infection and other allergic outbreaks. If they get in your home, you can also suffer with nasty, itchy bites that can cause problems for you and your family. Pet supply companies know this is a frustrating problem for both and they are always working to come up with the best options to help both canine and owner, but many of the products on the market today, contain ingredients that are not natural and have the potential to cause their own set of problems for your pup. If you prefer natural treatments for your pet, there are some good ideas that can help you get rid of fleas without the worry of chemicals and other artificial ingredients that may be harmful. Here are a couple natural flea preventatives to try on your pup that work for getting rid of fleas naturally.
1. Flea deterring drink
What you will need:
- 1 teaspoon white distilled or apple cider vinegar.
Directions:
For every 40 pounds of a dog’s weight, add 1 teaspoon of white distilled or apple cider vinegar to 1 quart to their drinking water and mix it. This mixture does two things, it will not only deflect and deter fleas, but it helps your canine’s skin and coat by conditioning it, inside and out.
2. Natural flea spray
What you will need:
- 1 cup white distilled or 1 apple cider vinegar. You may opt to do a 50/50 mixture of both.
- 1 quart fresh water
- 2-3 drops of cedar or lavender oil
- Spray bottle
Directions:
Although the essential oil isn’t a vital ingredient, the added scent gives your dog a lovely smell to his coat. If you decide to include the oil, add 2-3 drops into the bottle as you add the 1 cup of vinegar (either version or combination of both). Add these two ingredients to a quart of fresh water. Fill your bottle up and start misting your dog’s coat with the caution of not allowing the spray to get into your pup’s eyes, ears, nose, or anywhere on the face. In order to get your dog’s neck and behind his ears, use a cloth that you moisten with the mixture. You will also want to spray your pet’s sleeping quarters; his bed or blanket.
3. Flea bath
Here’s an all-natural flea treatment that requires you washing your pup weekly to deter fleas.
What you will need:
- Half a cup of fresh-squeezed lemons (juice)
- 1 1/2 – 2 cups fresh water
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup of mild pet-friendly soap or shampoo (Blue Dawn dish soap is fine)
Directions:
In a bowl or pitcher, stir the half cup of lemon juice, the 1 1/2-2 cups of fresh water, and the 1/4 cup of mild soap. Bottle this mixture and put a label on it so that you can use this mixture once a week to keep fleas at bay. Keep in mind that the amount will vary slightly depending on your dog’s size. You may need to improvise the ingredients a bit, or double the recipe if you have a large breed.
Something you will want to keep in mind is that when using essential oils in any mixture on a dog, you will want to always dilute the essential oil first. Your dog has a strong sniffer that can help you determine which essential oils are okay with him. Yes, you can let your dog help you determine which ones he likes and will be able to tolerate best when it comes to enjoying it. Allow him to sniff a few prior to mixing them into any flea treatment that calls for one, first. Watch your dog’s reaction to see how he reacts to it. If it’s a positive reaction or a negative, you will be able to make a better decision.
