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11 Best Home remedy for fleas and ticks on dogs

Fleas and ticks are a nuisance, bloodsucking parasites, and are a real bummer for humans and dogs. To combat the fleas, you can choose either the chemical products available in the market or use any home remedy for fleas and ticks on dogs .

These parasites will Not only irritate your dog, but once it enters your house, it lays eggs and rapidly increases their numbers, and then it becomes difficult to get rid of.

Research states a  female flea lays 20-50 eggs and can jump up to 12 inches and easily transfer from host to host.

According to AKC, there are over 2,200 species of fleas, and the most common parasite in dogs and cats is known as  Ctenocephalides felis. In addition, there are roughly 850 species of ticks. 

Flea infestation in dogs needs proper and timely consideration. Fleas don’t always need vet visits; puppy owners can usually ward these parasites with a few natural, at-home remedies.

Besides many fleas products available for dogs, we are listing home remedies for fleas on dogs that will help your canine get rid of the parasites and prevent future infestation.

Servedogs Disclaimer: All the remedies in this article are well researched and proven, but they still can’t replace your veterinarian’s advice. Do not apply any Home remedy for fleas on dogs or home remedy for ticks on dogs until you have confirmed its safety.

Best Home remedy for fleas and ticks on Dogs: 

1. Apple cider Vinegar

Can I spray apple cider vinegar on my dog for fleas? Apple cider vinegar can help in both ways, either using orally or applying typically. The reason behind its use as flea repellent is that it balances the pH level and creates an acidic environment. While taking orally can balance alkalinity inside the body. 

Before adding the ACV to your dog food, check your pooch pH by using urine pH testing strips. The normal Ph of Dogs is between 6.2 and 6.5.

Best Apple Cider Vinegar for dogs.

How to Use Apple cider vinegar for dogs fleas:

  • Give ½ teaspoon of organic Apple cider vinegar per day/ 25 lbs orally.
  • Take 4-5 oz warm water, 6-7 oz organic AVC, and ½ to ¼ tsp salt.
  • Mix all the ingredients and put them in a spray bottle.
  • Spray the ACV spray on your pet body.
  • Do not spray on the open wounds and prevent eyes.

2. Homemade Lemon Shampoo

Can I put lemon juice on my dog for fleas? A Lemon bath can aid your puppy in many ways. Lemon juice will not only give a fresh and nourishing look but will also prevent your canine from many external parasites, fleas and ticks all season long. In addition, lemon acidity can reduce their itching or flaking skin.

How to Use Lemon for dogs fleas?

  • Take some fresh lemons and prepare ½ cup of Squeezed Lemon Juice.
  • Add 1-2 cups of clean, warm water and mix it with the lemon juice.
  • Add a baby shampoo or dog-friendly shampoo to the mixture and stir it well. (Don’t use human shampoo)
  • Don’t add any other toxic ingredients. 
  • Give a bath to your puppy once a week with the shampoo and gently rub on the coat thoroughly.
puppy bathing

3. Homemade Flea Repellent 

Many pet owners often prepare a refreshing homemade flea repellent spray to eliminate fleas and other external parasites on their puppy. Make sure to Spray on your dog every day when he goes outside. Also, make sure to Spray on certain body parts like the belly, tail, legs, and ears.

How do you make homemade flea spray?

  • To make the spray, all you need is 1 or 2 lemons, 2 sprigs of rosemary, half a cup of warm, clean water, and one sprig of peppermint or lavender.
  • Take a bowl and Cut the lemon into small slices.
  • Add Sprigs of rosemary, peppermint, or lavender.
  • Add clean water almost boiled.
  • Keep the bowl cover about 12-15 hours.
  • Strain the remedy into the spray bottle.
  • Spray on your canine fur before going outside or coming back.

4. Essential Oils Flea Spray for dogs

The use of essential oils is common among humans and pets and aid in many health issues. For example, making a spray from the essential oil will work like a charm in fleas problem in your canine. Select any safe type of essential oil such as Peppermint, Lavender, Palmarosa, Cedar, Clary sage, rosemary or Eucalyptus.

Some bloggers suggest diluting your essential oil in water, but this is not a good approach because essential oil is not soluble in water. The best approach is to take thin nature carrier oil like grape seed oil or fractionated coconut oil for the best result.

How to make essential oil flea spray for dogs?

  • First, choose the safe type of essential oil you want.
  • Next, select a thin carrier oil you want to use in the spray.
  • Add 4-6 drops of essential oil in 1 ounce of thin carrier oil.
  • Put the solution in the spray bottle and shake it well.
  • Now it’s ready to spray on your canine body.

Note: Some essential oils are toxic for dogs and should not be used for any reason.

5. Lather Bath

dog bathing

Lather on the fur suffocates the external parasite and kills them. Giving a lather bath with any dog-friendly shampoo that doesn’t contain any toxic ingredients will help to get rid of the fleas and ticks on your dog. Wet your canine fur with warm water and sufficiently lather the coat thoroughly.

Leave the lather for  2-3 minutes, and then thoroughly wash your pup with warm water. Protect your dog’s eyes and behave gently to prevent zommies and FRAPs in dogs and other complications. 

6. Rosemary Bath:

We, humans, are all well aware of the tonic benefits of rosemary. The Good news is that rosemary is considered one of the best fleas and tick repellents in pets. Take some fresh rosemary leaves and seep them in boiling water. Once it boils well, strain the ready mixture and dilute it well in the warm water.

When it comes to the average temperature, give a bath with the mixture to your pooch and wash the fur thoroughly. You can use a dog-friendly shampoo alongside. 

7. Coconut Oil Massage

Can coconut oil kill fleas on dogs? Coconut oil is among the proven essential oils that help humans and pets in many skin issues such as dry flaking skin, relieve many skin allergies, and kill fleas and ticks on dogs. Besides these tonic benefits, coconut oil massage can help your canine in both ways, either applying topically or giving orally. 

Coconut oil prevents your dog from fleas and other external parasites. It will also make your pup coat shiny and good-looking when applied topically.

Can I rub coconut oil on my dog? Take about a teaspoon of coconut oil and apply directly on your puppy coat; gently rub thoroughly for about 5-6 minutes.  

Coconut oil has antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties. Adding a safe amount of coconut oil to your puppy diet can help to treat intestinal parasites and ward off many intestinal issues. However, please remember that overfeeding of the oil is toxic. Learn How much coconut oil is safe for dogs

8. Brewer’s Yeast

The best way to treat fleas problems in dogs is to treat them from the inside out. Many pet experts suggest the use of brewer’s yeast to relieve the fleas problem in puppies. Adding a small amount of about half of the teaspoon of brewer’s yeast to your pet diet for about one week will make your pet skin unpleasant to host fleas and other external parasites. Please note that overdosing on yeast is toxic always feed with precautions.

Always consult with your vet for a safe amount.

9. Flea Comb with Soapy water:

Flea Comb is a proven and easily available dog’s toll that helps remove the parasite’s fleas and eggs from your canine fur due to its closely spaced teeth. The best idea is to prepare a homemade lemon shampoo that we have already described above or take any suitable dog shampoo and make soapy water.

Dip the flea comb in soapy water before and after each comb. The Soapy water will kill the fleas in the comb. To reduce the risk of re-attack Make sure to throw the contaminated water outside the home in the sewerage. 

10. Baking soda bath

Can I put baking soda on my dog for fleas? Baking soda is a known flea killer. Around the world, pet owners use baking soda as a home remedy for fleas on dogs and for many dogs grooming properties. Baking soda is the best and less time-consuming remedy for dogs owners who do not have much time to bathe their faithful companions. A dry baking soda bath will help to smell good and help your dog get rid of fleas, ticks, and some other parasites. 

How to use baking soda for fleas and ticks on dogs?

Take some baking soda and cover your furry friend’s body with the baking soda and gently massage and let it stay on your canine fur until it falls eventually or absorbs into the coat and skin. Protect your pooch eyes and Do not use baking soda in any form, shampoo, wet or dry, on your dog’s face.

Read more How to bath a dog with Baking soda.

11. Garlic Remedy for fleas on dogs:

According to pet experts, a safe amount of garlic can help your pet in many ways. Please remember that over-dosing of garlic is toxic and can lead your puppy to severe conditions. However, experts believe that garlic may help ward off fleas, ticks, and other intestinal parasites. Feed a safe amount of garlic to your puppy a week before the fleas season starts because it takes a week or two to build its tonic effect in your canine coat. 

For large dogs, half to one clove will be safe for your dog. However, for use in puppies, first, confirm it with your veterinarians. Add garlic to your dog’s diet daily to establish the required blood levels to repel fleas, ticks, and other external parasites.

The best approach is to start with the recommended dose and then gradually reduce the amount of garlic every day. You can again increase the quantity as soon as you see fleas on the dog once again.

Beside home remedy for fleas on dogs and ticks servedogs recommend some of the products below that will help to get ride of fleas and ticks on your dogs.

F.A.Q.

Does vinegar kill fleas on dogs?

Yes, apple cider vinegar is one of the proven remedies that kill fleas on dogs. This type of vinegar helps your puppy in both ways, either by giving orally or applying topically. The ACV balances the body’s PH level and makes it unsuitable for fleas to host on your pup’s body. Please note that always try any home remedy with your vet’s advice and follow moderation.

Is Dawn dish soap safe for dogs with fleas?

Many experts have a different opinion about the use of Dawn dish soap for fleas on dogs. But serve dogs believe that the use of dawn dish soap is not safe Because it may help your canine in some issues like fleas or ticks but may put your pooch in other skin issues such as skin allergies, dry and flaking skin, etc.