Dawn Detergent for Fleas on Dogs

As a dog owner, you may be worried about the chemicals in flea shampoo. Or maybe you have a small puppy who has fleas and is too young for other types of flea treatments. You can kill fleas on dogs and puppies by bathing them with Dawn dish washing soap and some water.

  1. How Dawn Kills Fleas

    • Dawn kills fleas by drowning them. The soap cuts the surface film on the water and causes them to sink. The oils in Dawn coat the dog's hair, preventing the fleas from getting a good grip on the hairs with their legs. It also causes the flea eggs to slip off the fur and fall in the water when the dog is rinsed.

    Which Dawn to Use

    • Use original Dawn, not the products with added bleach. The bleach may damage the dog's hair and skin. Other brands of dish washing soap don't seem to work as well, according to The Daily Puppy website. Rinse the dog's coat thoroughly to get out all the soap when you are finished. Bathe the dog up to once a week.

    Tips for Bathing with Dawn

    • Wet the dog with water and lather the dog's neck first, before you do the rest of the body. This will prevent the fleas on the dog's body from trying to escape the Dawn by climbing into the dog's ears and nose. Be careful not to get soap in the dog's eyes or ears. Wait about five minutes before rinsing to make sure all the fleas are dead.

    Advantages and Disadvantages

    • Most flea shampoos contain chemical insecticides. They work faster than Dawn and do not require a soaking period. However, some flea shampoos are not safe for young puppies, and some dogs may be allergic to the chemicals. Dawn works on dogs of any age and is not toxic. Dawn may dry out the dog's skin, so you might have to use a moisturizing conditioner after bathing the dog with Dawn. Dawn doesn't prevent re-infestation so you will need to take care of the fleas that live in the dog's bedding and in the home.