Home Remedies for Curing Fleas in Dogs

Flea bites can lead to anemia and disease in dogs. Commercial shampoos, sprays, and topical solutions can help protect and rid your pet of fleas, but these products use chemicals that can have adverse effects, not only for your dog, but also for your family. Fortunately there are safe and effective home remedies for ridding your dog of fleas.

  1. Flea Comb

    • The flea comb traps fleas and their eggs between its fine teeth and is the easiest method of freeing your dog of fleas. To use the flea comb, begin by filling a bowl with soapy water. Run the comb through your dog's hair, paying particular attention to the dog's stomach and lower back since those are the areas where fleas tend to gather. The comb will collect the fleas and their eggs. Drunk the entire comb in your bowl of soapy water to drown the fleas. Repeat the process until you have worked through all the fur. The flea comb won't completely rid your dog of fleas, but flea infestation on your pet will be drastically reduced.

    Bath

    • If you don't want to buy an anti-flea shampoo, bathe your dog using dishwashing soap. The oils in the soap asphyxiate the fleas and prevent the flea eggs from attaching to the dog's hair follicles. When bathing your dog, begin by soaping up the dog's neck first so the fleas can't flee to your pet's face and hide in its ears or nose. Lather up the rest of your dog's fur and let your pet remain soaped up for a minimum of five minutes. After rinsing your pet, most of the fleas should be gone. If you find a few stray fleas in your dog's coat, give it a second bath.

    External Repellents

    • Use lemon as a citrus flea repellent for your dog. Cut a lemon into quarters and submerge them into a pot of boiling water. Let the mixture soak overnight. In the morning fill a spray bottle with the mixture and spray all over your dog. Be sure to get the base of the tail and the underneath of your dog since fleas tend to congregate there. Also, pay extra attention to the ears and head area since that is where fleas like to hide.

    Internal Repellents

    • Keep fleas away by feeding your dog certain foods. If you feed your dog a small amount of garlic daily, the dog's skin will emit a garlic aroma that repels fleas. If you don't want your pet to smell like garlic, give it natural apple cider vinegar. This makes the animal's skin acidic, which is unappealing to fleas.