What Can You Feed a Dog to Repel Fleas?

Dog guardians probably spend more time and money dealing with fleas than with all other health problems that affect canines. Feeding particular foods has long been known to repel fleas in pets. Today, there are effective flea repellent topical solutions that are available from any veterinarian. However, some pet guardians shy away from using these monthly medications on their pet. Others find that even with topical treatments their dogs aren't completely protected against the irritating parasites. Certain foods can be fed to your dogs to try to control fleas, combined with other repellents.

  1. Brewers Yeast

    • Brewers yeast is one of the most popular food remedies for repelling fleas in dogs. It can be bought at most health food stores. The general recommendation is to add one teaspoon of brewer's yeast per 20 pounds of body weight to your dog's food. For example, if your dog weighs 50 pounds, you would add two to three teaspoons of brewer's yeast to the pet's food each day. You could add one teaspoon at the breakfast feeding and two teaspoons at the dinner feeding. In addition to helping to repel fleas, many holistic veterinarians prescribe daily feedings of brewer's yeast to meet dog's daily needs for B-complex vitamins.

    Garlic

    • Fresh garlic is an effective flea repellent. Garlic is thought to be effective because it makes the animal taste unpleasant to fleas. Garlic and onion can be toxic to dogs in large amounts. Generally seasoning amounts aren't toxic. However, it is best to consult with your veterinarian or a holistic veterinarian before feeding your dog garlic. This will ensure you are not feeding enough to cause your pet harm. Garlic is generally fed for flea repellent in dogs by grating a bit of the fresh clove onto the pet's food each meal.

    Vinegar

    • Vinegar is another food additive that may have properties repel fleas in dogs. The general recommendation is to add one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to your dog's water bowl each day. If the taste of the vinegar deters your dog from drinking, you can add the vinegar to your pet's food. However, it may not be as effective if administered in this manner.

    Homemade Diet

    • Many holistic veterinarians believe that dogs that are severely infested with fleas are likely suffering from an underlying health issue. Because most holistic treatments begin by looking at the pet's diet, a holistic practitioner would likely recommend a homemade diet made of human-grade, organic ingredients for a dog suffering from a flea problem. If you are considering a homemade diet as a holistic treatment for your dog's fleas, consult with a licensed holistic veterinarian. You can find a holistic veterinarian in your area using the directory on the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association's Web site at http://www.ahvma.org/.