Natural Remedies for Flea Control on Dogs & Cats

Flea control is an important part of pet ownership. Avoiding fleas is not always easy, especially in the summer. Fleas cause dogs and cats to itch and can spread around the house. Many animals are allergic to fleas, fleas spread tapeworms and can carry the mite that causes mange. Severe infestation can cause anemia in your pet. Prescription medication is available for flea prevention in dogs and cats, but there are also natural remedies to lower your pet’s chance of catching fleas.

  1. Supplements

    • Fleas dislike the smell and taste of certain herbs, so feeding them to your dog or cat can lessen the risk of an infestation, according to the Healthy Pet Journal. Flea-repelling supplements include garlic, vitamin B, brewers yeast and essential fatty acid. These supplements make your pet’s blood taste bad to fleas.

    Grooming

    • Regular grooming of your pet using a fine-tooth comb helps remove fleas before they multiply and become a problem. Longer-haired dogs and cats might require clipping to make spotting the fleas easier. Many pets enjoy being groomed, and so this can be performed daily.

    Citrus Repellent

    • A natural flea repellent that is safe for dogs and cats, citrus kills any fleas on your pet’s body. The repellent is made by cutting up a lemon and immersing it in boiling water overnight. Once the mixture is ready, spray it over your pet using a spray bottle. Pay particular attention to the dog or cat’s head, ears, tail base and armpits, advises Grandma’s Home Remedies, because this is where fleas like to hide.

    Diatomaceous Earth

    • Diatomaceous earth is a non-chemical soil designed to kill insects, according to the Flea Control Guide. The dirt has tiny, sharp edges that damage the insect’s exoskeleton, causing it to leak water and eventually die of dehydration. Using diatomaceous earth around your pet’s bed will kill fleas before they can get to the animal, and using it in the back yard helps kill fleas in your environment.

    Essential Oils

    • Certain essential oils help repel insects and fleas from dogs and cats. These include citronella, cedar, peppermint, rosemary, eucalyptus, lemongrass and lavender oils. Mix together 20 drops of any of these oils with a pint of water, and then decant it into a spray bottle and spray your dog or cat daily to ward off fleas. The spray is also safe for use on bedding, crates and exercise pens.