Home Remedies for Dog Fleas

Fleas and ticks are some of the most common insects that can attack your pet and then infest your home. Checking for fleas on dogs can be a frustrating experience for any pet owner. Besides causing severe itching and irritation on the skin, fleas or flea bites can sometimes produce an allergic reaction. Some dogs can be allergic to flea saliva, which can cause flea allergy dermatitis or flea bite dermatitis in them. Moreover, the continuous itching and scratching can lead to the development of open sores on the skin. Fleas thrive in moist and humid environment and suck blood from your pets. Heavy flea infestation in some dogs, especially in small puppies can lead to dog health problems like, anemia.

Getting Rid of Dog Fleas

The flea that more commonly affects dogs is known as Ctenocephalides canis, which is quite similar to cat flea. You can find a number of products in the market such as, flea collar, topical flea control products and flea shampoos, some of which can contain certain strong chemicals. Therefore, before applying any commercial flea control products on your pet, it is better to talk to a veterinarian. Here are some remedies that will make your dog flea-free.

• It is important to prevent the growth of fleas in your home. So, vacuum your house and all cracks, crevices and the nook and corners thoroughly. Be sure to seal the vacuum bag and dispose it as soon as possible.
• Spray some salt on the carpets and the areas prone to flea infestation, and leave it for some time. If possible, leave the salt on the carpets overnight and then vacuum it the next day.
• Use a fine toothed flea comb for dog grooming. Keep a bowl filled with soapy water by your side, and dip the flea comb in it after using it for combing the fur of the animal. The fleas and their eggs will be trapped in the narrow gap between the teeth of the comb, and will die within a short time, if the comb is dipped in the soapy water.
• Pet bedding can be one of the favorable places for fleas and ticks to breed. So, be sure to wash them at regular intervals in hot soapy water
• A dog infested with flea should be given regular baths to alleviate the itching and irritation that fleas can cause. You can use a regular dog shampoo for giving your dog a bath, or talk to a veterinarian regarding the use of flea shampoo.
• While giving your pet a bath, you can add a few drops eucalyptus, lavender or tea tree oil in the final rinse.
• You can also use homemade flea control sprays. Such a spray can be made by adding 1 to 2 drops of lavender and cedar wood essential oil to 500 ml of water. This mixture can be poured in a spray bottle and then sprayed all over the body of the dog, avoiding the sensitive areas like, the eyes.
• Citrus repellent is also effective for this purpose. To make this flea repellent, cut a lemon into pieces and boil these with some water. Keep the pieces soaked in water overnight. Next day, pour this into a spray bottle and use as a flea repellent on your pet's body. In place of lemon, you can also use orange peel.
• Vinegar can also be used for flea control. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray this mixture all over the body of the dog.
• Cedar wood can repel fleas. You can find cedar-filled pillows in the market. Otherwise, you can place some cedar chips around the bed of your dog, or fill an old pillow with cedar shavings.
• Pet owners can consider garlic for internal flea treatment. One or two cloves of garlic can be given to dogs to make them less vulnerable to fleas. Brewer's yeast can also serve the same purpose.

To prevent such reinfestation, consider to mow the lawn, keep the grasses short and remove leaf piles and debris from the yard. This would help to increase sunlight and destroy fleas in the yard, as these insects cannot survive in hot and dry conditions. Diatomaceous earth and borax can be sprayed on the yard for destroying fleas, but these could be harmful for pets. If you fail to control fleas with all such measures and if the condition gets too severe, take the help of a veterinarian, and discuss the various treatment options such as, medicated dip and use of oral medications. Even before using the home remedies, it is advisable to talk to a veterinarian.