Warm days mean trips to the park, extended walks, and playing in the yard. But if you’re a pet parent, you know summer weather isn’t just fun and games. Heat and humidity also bring your worst nightmare — fleas.
These acrobatic insects can leap up to a foot, jumping onto your dog from animals, tall grass, or that bush you pass on your favorite walk. These unwanted hitchhikers then lay tons of eggs in your dog’s fur and start biting.
Unfortunately, eggs quickly hatch and grow into full-fledged fleas that carry on the feast. While a few fleas might go unnoticed, a flea infestation causes excessive itching, dry skin, infection, inflammation, and irritation.
One flea can become 1,000 fleas — spreading to your furniture, other pets, and even you in a matter of weeks.
Identifying and eradicating fleas as soon as possible is essential for the health and well-being of your pet. We’ve gathered our top science-backed tips for natural flea removal and helpful strategies to prevent the invasion before it begins.
Signs that your dog has fleas
The first sign of fleas is usually excessive licking, scratching, or biting. Fleas often hang on your dog’s lower back, tail, inner thighs, and groin, so pay close attention if you notice them itching.
You might also notice some “flea dirt” on your dog’s back. These dark brown/reddish flakes of “dirt” are specs of flea poop — or digested blood. Flea bites can also leave tiny red dots on your dog’s skin.
Though fleas are small, they are visible to the naked eye. If you spot tiny, dark insects crawling on your pet, there’s a good chance you’re about to enter into battle with fleas. Check under their belly and thighs if you want to catch them in the act. Fleas don’t like light, so they often hide “where the sun don’t shine.”
Natural flea-removal remedies
Knowing that your dog has fleas is only half the battle — now for the hard part. Getting rid of them. These natural strategies could help you do just that — without the chemicals.
Lemon juice wash
Create a flea-killing concoction of half a cup of lemon juice, two cups of water, and a squeeze of a pet-friendly shampoo. Bathe your dog as you usually would, scrubbing this mixture into their fur and covering their entire body. Rinse and dry them thoroughly and use a flea comb afterward to remove any dead or dying insects.
Neem oil
Neem oil is a non-toxic carrier oil with potent flea-fighting capabilities. It is natural, safe for dogs, and contains beneficial vitamins and fatty acids such as omega 6, omega 3, and vitamin E. It can help keep your dog’s coat shiny, moisturize their skin, and shoo fleas and ticks away.
Experts recommend diluting pure, cold-pressed neem oil in a 1:10 mixture of neem oil and water. Add to a spray bottle and spray on your pet daily. This works as an effective repellant and treatment option in conjunction with other flea-killing methods.
Flea comb
Though this method is one of the more time-consuming options on this list, it is also one of the most thorough and effective. It is especially beneficial if you have already been through a round of flea treatment and are trying to ensure no stragglers are left behind.
Use a fine-tooth flea comb to brush through your dog’s fur, dunking the comb in a bucket of hot, soapy water after each pass. This removes adult fleas and flea dirt. The soapy water will kill any live fleas on the comb, keeping them from jumping back onto your pet.
Natural flea spray or shampoo
If you don’t want to go the DIY route, you can buy natural flea sprays or shampoos to treat the flea infestation on your dog. Search for a natural or organic specifically designed for dogs. Some flea treatments can be harsh on your dog’s sensitive skin, so search for an option with moisturizing ingredients such as oatmeal or aloe.
Note: Certain flea treatments could be harmful for puppies. If your dog is under 12 months, consult with your vet before using.
What about essential oils?
If you’re familiar with essential oils, you might wonder if they’re safe for your pet as a natural flea-repellant. Unfortunately, the jury is still out regarding the safety of using essential oils on dogs. Some studies suggest that dogs (and cats) might react adversely to flea products containing essential oils.
Peppermint, citrus, and tea tree are poisonous to pets. Avoid using essential oils on your dog unless you speak to your veterinarian.
Evicting unwanted tenants: Getting fleas out of your home
While getting fleas off your dog is critical, it’s fruitless if you don’t remove them from the environment. Remember, the fleas have likely laid eggs all over your home, and those babies are just waiting to pounce.
The following steps can help eradicate fleas in all stages of their lifecycle and ensure your dog doesn’t suffer through another outbreak.
Step 1: Wash soft dog toys, bedding, or blankets in hot water. You should also wash anything your dog might have touched, such as throw blankets, cushion covers, or your bedding. Dry on high heat, if possible.
Step 2: Vacuum all floors and upholstery, including couches and chairs. Don’t forget about curtains and mattresses! Empty the vacuum canister into an outdoor trash can immediately after vacuuming.
Step 3: Sprinkle baking soda onto your carpet. Leave overnight and then vacuum again. Baking soda works to dehydrate fleas and larvae and can even help freshen your carpet.
Step 4: Steam clean any hardwood to kill lingering fleas. Fleas can nestle into laminate, tile, or hardwood, but the steam’s heat will kill them.
Note: Vacuum the seats and carpet in your car if you recently took your dog in your vehicle.
Outdoor eradication: Treating your yard
It’s possible your dog picked up fleas right in their own backyard. To make your yard safe for your canine companion, add the following outdoor flea-prevention methods to your list of summertime yard chores.
Food-grade diatomaceous earth is one of the best non-toxic flea-killing products for your yard. Simply sprinkle it around your grass, flowerbeds, and anywhere your dog can access. This sharp substance cuts through the exoskeleton of fleas and larvae, drying them up and killing them in the process. As a bonus, it can help keep other garden pests at bay.
Tiny worms called nematodes could also prove beneficial. These helpful critters feed on flea larvae and aren’t harmful to any other animals, plants, or flowers.
Other methods to keep fleas out of your yard:
- Keep your grass cut short
- Remove leaf piles and debris around your yard
- Utilize cedar mulch (fleas hate it)
- Trim bushes and shrubs
- Plant flea-repellant plants (lavender, spearmint, etc.)
Prevention is key: Keeping fleas away
Treatment is reactionary; prevention is progressive. Stop the infestation before it starts by protecting your dog from these pesky parasites.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) spray
Add equal parts ACV and water to a spray bottle and spray it over your dog’s coat. Though apple cider vinegar doesn’t kill fleas, it is an effective repellent — making the tiny pests think twice about snacking on your pup.
Dietary additions
Some experts suggest certain dietary additions could help make your pet less appealing to fleas.
These include:
- Coconut oil
- Brewers yeast
- ACV in their water (just a few drops)
Consult with your vet before adding preventatives to your dog’s diet. They will help determine an exact dosage.
Should I take my dog to the vet?
While you can generally manage fleas at home, certain severe cases might require something stronger than an at-home remedy or a natural flea shampoo. If you notice the infestation worsening after treatment or don’t see any improvement, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. They will likely prescribe an oral or topical medication to help eradicate the fleas.
Make an appointment earlier rather than later if you notice that your pet has a severe reaction to flea bites. There is a particular allergy called flea bite hypersensitivity that causes an allergic reaction in dogs who are sensitive to flea saliva. Dogs with flea bite hypersensitivity might experience extreme itching after just one bite. In this case, a prescription option is usually the best choice.
You should also take your dog to the vet immediately if you notice any signs of a tapeworm in their stool or other signs of an internal parasite, such as lethargy. Dogs can get tapeworms from eating fleas infected with tapeworm larvae.
Act quickly and decisively.
Fighting fleas can take time and dedication, but acting as soon as possible is essential. Fleas can contribute to many issues beyond itching and can cause your dog various health issues. With these treatment and prevention strategies, you will be well-armed to face these annoying (and potentially dangerous) insects the next time you go head-to-head.
