Home Remedies for Tick & Fleas for Dogs

Aside from the discomfort they cause your pet, fleas and ticks can spread diseases. Ticks spread Lyme, babesiosis and ehrlichiosis and fleas can spread tapeworms and cause skin problems. All dogs are susceptible to these potentially dangerous pests but there are steps you can take to protect your pet.

  1. Diatomaceous Earth

    • Diatomaceous earth, an odorless and non-toxic powder made from the finely ground and fossilized remains of algae, kills fleas. Use it as a perimeter dust and sprinkle it on and around pet living areas. Use only the type sold for pest control.

    Clean Your House

    • Vacuum regularly and thoroughly. Fleas spend most of their time off your pet, leaving them vulnerable to the vac. Seal and discard or empty the vacuum bag after cleaning.

    Yard Care

    • Make your yard less flea- and tick-friendly by keeping grass and brush trimmed. Kansas State University suggests, "Cutting the grass especially short occasionally or putting up a fence to keep out raccoons or deer can help rid the homeowner's yard of ticks."

    Diet

    • Feed your dog a high quality dog food that contains no corn, wheat or soy. These common allergens can cause skin problems and lower immunity, making your dog's skin and coat more appealing to fleas and ticks.

    Citrus Bath

    • Make your own citrus oil extract spray to repel and kill fleas. Add a quartered lemon to a quart of boiling water, turn off the heat and let it steep overnight. Strain into a spray bottle and spray it into your dog's fur.

    Neem

    • Neem contains azadirachtin, which reduces flea counts in dogs and produced, in a study cited by the Colorado State University Extension, "near total reduction in fleas in dogs...after a topic application of a mist-spray...continuing up to 19 days."