Home Remedy Flea Treatment for Dogs & Cats

Fleas are more than just irritating and difficult to get rid of--they also cause your pet pain, anemia, flea allergy dermatitis, tapeworms and, in severe cases, death. You do not need to spend a great deal of money on flea removal or on potentially harmful chemical repellents to protect your pets; instead, stick to a three-part treatment plan that targets your home and yard as well as your pet to eliminate and control fleas for good.

  1. Your Yard

    • Successful flea removal requires treating your environment. Fleas in your yard can infest dogs and cats that go outdoors. Fleas may also catch a ride indoors on your clothing, where they can live in your carpet for as long as a year and a half.

      Begin by cleaning porches, patios and pet areas. Keep grass mowed and weeds pulled. A well-kept yard is drier and less ideal for fleas.

      Also consider using nematodes for outdoor flea removal. Nematodes are microscopic worms. They consume the eggs and larvae of fleas. When the fleas are gone, the nematodes biodegrade. Check your local pet store or garden supply store to purchase them.

    Your Home

    • Killing fleas outdoors is not good enough--you also need to control fleas inside your house. The number one tool for flea removal is the vacuum cleaner.

      Vacuum carpets and furniture, paying special attention to any spot where your pet sleeps, plays or relaxes. Sprinkle boric acid or diatomaceous earth on your carpet and leave for a few hours (or days if possible) before vacuuming. The boric acid breaks up the flea's exoskeleton while diatomaceous earth causes fleas to dry up. Keep pets away from the treated areas and be sure to vacuum thoroughly.

      An important tip is to throw the vacuum cleaner bag away each time you vacuum, since the fleas inside can crawl out and reinfect your home.

      After vacuuming, take care to wash any pet bedding with hot water and soap. If the flea infestation in your home is severe, wash drapes, upholstery and bed clothes as well.

    Your Pet

    • The best way to control fleas on your pet is to comb her. Flea combs are inexpensive and can be purchased at any pet supply store. As you comb your pet, keep a glass of soapy water handy. Dunking the comb will keep it clean and pull off any fleas. As a bonus, using a flea comb removes the dust, eggs and dried blood that fleas leave behind.

      If you are dealing with a severe infestation, consider killing fleas by bathing your pet. Just keep in mind that bathing too often can cause dry skin and irritation. Using a dish soap like Dawn mixed with apple cider vinegar is a gentle way of killing fleas without harming your pet.

      When bathing your pet, put the soapy mixture on her neck first, as close to the base of the head as possible, then work your way down her body. Be careful not to get any mixture in her eyes.

      As soon as she dries out, use a comb to remove any fleas left behind. Pay extra attention to the head, since fleas will migrate to any area of your pet that has not been treated with the soapy mixture.

      The best home remedy flea treatment for dogs and cats is persistence. Just keep up with frequent combing, vacuuming and cleaning.