Natural Flea & Tick Treatment for Puppies

Puppies are more susceptible to fleas and ticks than older dogs because of their relatively weak immune systems. These pests not only make a puppy uncomfortable, they can also carry diseases and infest your home. Since commercial flea and tick treatments often contain harsh chemicals that veterinarians do not recommend for puppies younger than 6 months, natural treatments offer a safe solution.

  1. Diatomaceous Earth

    • Diatomaceous earth is made of finely powdered marine and freshwater fossils. At the microscopic level, it resembles shards of broken glass. When a flea or tick comes in contact with diatomaceous earth, these shards scratch through the pest's exoskeleton. With its protective covering damaged, the flea or tick will easily die of dehydration. Diatomaceous earth is completely safe for puppies and works well when dusted on the puppy's fur and favorite areas of the home.

    Garlic

    • When a puppy eats garlic, the smell escapes through his skin and repels fleas. A small amount of garlic is safe, but once fleas disappear, do not feed your puppy more garlic; the bulb is poisonous for puppies that consume it frequently, in large quantities or over a long period of time. One veterinarian recommends no more than one raw, crushed clove a day for puppies up to 30 pounds.

    Brewer's Yeast

    • Fleas and ticks also avoid the smell of brewer's yeast excreted from a puppy's skin. Veterinarian Dr. Michael Fox recommends a daily dose of up to 1 teaspoon of brewer's yeast mixed with food for puppies up to 30 pounds. In addition to repelling fleas and ticks, brewer's yeast supplies puppies with essential B complex vitamins. Brewer's yeast is not the same as yeast commonly used in household baking.

    Apple Cider Vinegar

    • Apple cider vinegar has a strong smell that fleas and ticks dislike. It works both when given to a puppy by mouth and when applied to his fur. To give a puppy apple cider vinegar by mouth, add 1 tablespoon daily to his water. To apply it externally, use it as a rinse when giving him a bath.

    Citrus

    • Citrus repels fleas. This includes fruits such as lemon, lime and grapefruit. To make a flea repellent spray, boil 12 lemon halves in 1 quart of water. Remove the mixture from the heat and let it sit for a few hours. Strain the mixture into a spray bottle to remove seeds and flesh. Spray the puppy's fur with this mixture, but rub it onto his face with your hands to avoid spraying in his eyes.