Dogs and cats and the words Natural Flea Treatments

Controlling fleas can be challenging when you are trying to reduce chemicals in your home. While natural remedies can be helpful, it’s important to remember that natural options typically repel fleas and do not fully eliminate them.

We are focusing primarily on dogs, since they often share your living space but go in and outdoors often.

Start With Your Environment

Fleas don’t just live on animals. They can live in your home and yard. Be sure to vacuum frequently, wash your ped’s bedding in hot water weekly, and keep yard areas clean. Fleas love shaded, damp areas outdoors, so eliminate those as much as possible.

Regularly Groom Your Dog

Use a flea comb daily on your dog. Dip the comb in soapy water to kill any removed fleas. Be sure to bath your dog regularly with a gentle shampoo.

Use Natural Repellents

Lightly mist your dog’s coat with apple cider vinegar spray (one part vinegar and one part water). Be sure to avoid their eyes and any wounds. The vinegar can repel fleas, but does not kill them.

You can also spray your dogs with lemon spray to repel fleas. Boil sliced lemons in water, cool and spray on your dog.

Diet

Make sure to feed your do a high-quality diet that is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and keep them clean and groomed. A healthy dog is much less attractive to fleas and other pests.

AVOID These items!!

While there are many options available to naturally prevent fleas, some can be harmful to your animal:

GARLIC: Garlic can be toxic to dogs and should never be used as flea control.

ESSENTIAL OILS: Some essential oils, such as tea tree can be toxic in high doses. If you want to use essential oils, please do research about which ones are safe for cats or dogs.

VINEGAR: Straight vinegar can cause burning and irritation on your dog’s skin. Always dilute vinegar before applying and do not over use. If you notice irritation, stop using.

The natural approach to fleas typically involves the “layering” approach. No one options will do the trick, but by using several methods, you will usually see results. Natural remedies typically repel fleas and do not kill them in all stages. So, think of it as a prevention. Natural options may not be enough to treat a full infestation.