Commercial flea products can be harsh and have potential side effects. Some of these products can do more harm than good. Natural remedies are gentle, cost effective, easier on you and your pet. Keep reading for a few ways to rid yourself and your pet of fleas without breaking the bank and losing your sanity.
-
Dawn Dishwashing Liquid
-
Who would have known that this simple, blue dish soap is the ultimate flea fighter? I was told of this remedy some years ago and decided to try it on my then 10-year-old (now 13) cockapoo. During the summer she looses a lot of fur (seasonal alopecia) and is wracked with hot spots. Summers in the south are hot and fleas tend to live in abundance. I decided to give Dawn a try because I wanted to kill the fleas without irritating her already sensitive skin. Cost was minimal so I had nothing to lose. The number of floating fleas shocked me. I have not bathed her with anything else since. It is said that the oils in this particular mixture of dish soap will keep your dog's skin and fur from drying out, suffocate the fleas and keep eggs from sticking to hair follicles. Start by washing the neck so the fleas cannot climb up to the head where they will hide in the nose and ears.
Homemade Flea Spray
-
Fill a clean spray bottle 2/3 of the way full with warm water. Add two drops of pure lavender oil and two drops of pure cedar wood oil. Mix well. Spray your dog thoroughly, taking care not to spray into the eyes. Spray this remedy on your pet a few times a week for maximum results.
Flea Combs
-
These fine-tooth combs are a wonderful tool for grooming and removing fleas. Flea combs will trap fleas and their eggs. Be sure to dip the comb in a bowl of soapy water after each stroke to kill any fleas. Because Dawn works so well on my cockapoo, I really do not use any other method. However, I do use a flea comb on my two boxers. Combined with the other remedies listed here, I have quit giving my dogs commercial flea pills, sprays or baths.
Cedar Chips
-
Sprinkling your dog's bedding inside and out will ward off fleas. Cedar wood repels fleas so I sprinkle the bottom of my dogs' crates before laying down the bedding, as well as their pen outside. It also keeps my house smelling nice.
Garlic
-
Sprinkle a bit of garlic powder in their food and watch the fleas disappear. Just like cedar, fleas are repelled by garlic and it's not detected by the human nose. This method will not work overnight as it takes a little bit of time to accumulate in your dog's blood stream. You can also give your dog raw or minced garlic. I sprinkle garlic powder in their canned wet food because it falls off dry food and accumulates in the bottom of the bowl.
Homemade Flea Collar
-
Try a few drops of lavender oil, or cedar wood oil on a bandanna, or a piece of rope. Tie it around your dog's neck. You can also use pure eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, citronella or geranium. Be sure to refresh the collar every few days.
-