Lemon Oil on Fleas

Dog owners increasingly seek all-natural alternatives to provide for their pets. From food to toys and medicinal remedies, there's no shortage of natural products available from dog suppliers. If you are seeking an alternative to the traditional flea collar when it comes to pests that make your pet's life miserable, there is a natural remedy to keep your dog from scratching his skin raw because of invasive fleas.

  1. Identifying Fleas

    • You know how your dog acts when fleas are attacking, but fleas are difficult to see unless you can view one with a magnifying glass. All flea species are wingless and jump from spot to spot. The most common type of flea that affects dogs and other warm-blooded animals is brown. These parasites feature sharp mouths that enable them to feed on the blood of their hosts. Fleas especially like to populate in dirty, cool areas that provide plenty of moisture.

    Traditional Flea Control vs. Natural

    • Many people opt for the traditional flea collar, which contains a mixture of pesticides that battle fleas over a period of time. These chemicals include fipronil, pyrethrins, permethrin and methoprene. Dog owners must be careful about using flea collars on puppies because of the high concentration of the pesticides. So when owners also have small children playing around the house, naturally they look for a chemical-free alternative. Lemon oil is a good, all-natural flea repellent solution. Lemons, and other citrus fruits, produce a substance called linalool, and this acts as a poison to fleas.

    Homemade Lemon Oil

    • You can purchase lemon oil at the grocery store or you can make your own homemade mixture that contains lemon oil using this recipe:

      Cut four lemons into quarters.

      Add enough to cover the fruit.

      Simmer for 45 minutes.

      Cool the mixture and strain it.

      Spray or rub this mixture over your dog's skin, focusing especially on the neck area, behind the ears, around the tail and under the legs.

      Citrus oil can irritate your pet's eyes, so be careful when applying the mixture around your dog's face.

    Bathing with Lemon Oil

    • A few drops of lemon oil added to your dog's bath will soothe your pet's skin and provide welcome relief. Make sure the soap you use is mild and non-toxic. For homemade shampoo, add 1 cup of lemon oil, 1 cup of white vinegar and 1/3 cup of glycerin to 1 quart of water. Massage the shampoo into your dog's coat and let it stand for 5 minutes before rinsing, to kill any fleas that may be present. Lemon oil is a versatile, all-natural ingredient in your arsenal against these pesky parasites.