One of the main concerns with owning dogs deals with the hassle and reality of fleas. Fleas are a pet owner’s nightmare due to their biting habits. Although fleas can bite humans its your pet that is the main victim of flea bites. Their bites do not conflict as much pain like other stinging pests such as bees but you will be wary if you have been bitten because itchiness and swelling will occur on the surface of your skin where you have been bitten.
Fleas can be a pain to have when your dog has them on their back, but there are all-natural non-chemical solutions to get rid of them:
1. Flea deterrent plants
So how does a pet owner get rid of fleas without using chemicals and instead using all-natural remedies or ingredients? Flea prevention without using any chemicals is actually quite easy.
One way to prevent fleas from jumping onto your pet and tracking them into your house is by getting flea deterrent plants and placing them by your front doors. If you have a backyard, it might be a good idea to place a plant over there as well. Some of the main flea deterrent plants that are safe for pets include
- Garden sage
- Rosemary
- Sweet basil
- Venus flytrap
- Thyme
- Marigold
There are many other plants that you could use to repel fleas and other pests such as ticks but they are not recommended due to them being toxic to felines and canine pets. You use safe flea deterring plants not only indoors, but in a garden area outside. Another idea with flea deterrent plants is to find them in their essential oil form and put a couple non-diluted drops of oils such as rosemary on their collar.
2. DIY flea baths
Another way to get rid of fleas on dogs is by making them a all-natural DIY Flea bath. If you want to make them a shampoo that will get rid of fleas, one of the commonly known recipes that you can put in a reusable bottles uses water, Dawn Dish Soap, and White Vinegar. Add equal parts of all ingredients in a squirt bottle. When giving your dog a bath make sure all their hair is soaked then lather the soap you have just made over your dogs. Be careful as to not get any of the soap in their eyes or mouth. Start scrubbing around the known fleas or thoroughly scrub them if you aren’t sure just to be certain you get rid of the fleas. When you start to see dead fleas floating in the water, it’s time to start rinsing the soap out of their fur. Repeat this process until you see no more fleas in the bathtub water.
3. Flea sprays
Flea sprays can be made in the same you made your DIY bath remedy for fleas, but instead in a spray bottle. Start by boiling quart of water with a large lemon with thin slices. Let this water steep overnight. Once it has steeped, drain the lemon water in a strainer and pour it into a large reusable spray bottle. Add 10 drops of both citronella and lemongrass oil. Add 1 full cup of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Add a few drops of cedarwood oil. After you are done adding all these ingredients, keep the solution refrigerated and shake it well before you apply it to your dogs coat. You can also spray this around your house.
