Sadly for pet owners, fleas are not only a summer problem. The pesky parasites are active year-round so long as they have somewhere warm, like the skin of your pet, to live. Common flea prevention methods include special collars, shampoos, dips, sprays, and medications, but you can supplement those with natural remedies, too.
Apple Cider Vinegar
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Health food proponents have long touted the diverse benefits of apple cider vinegar, and not just for humans. It’s said to repel fleas because they dislike its pungent smell and taste. This method will not kill fleas, the nonprofit veterinary organization Anicira says, but spritzing a mixture of equal parts water and apple cider vinegar may help prevent fleas.
Apple cider vinegar contains about 5% acetic acid, an antiseptic.3 A spritz of this or a wet comb through your pet’s coat will relieve itchiness. When taken orally, it may also help balance out a dog’s pH as apple cider vinegar is alkaline and dog food is notoriously acidic.4 Be sure to talk to your vet before treating your pet with apple cider vinegar.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is often cited as a natural flea remedy. However, research has shown that it is not actually toxic to flea larvae.5 That said, baking soda is safe to use on a pet’s coat (it’s great for neutralizing odors) and can be either mixed with water to form a paste or added to its regular shampoo during a bath.
For flea prevention, Anicira recommends mixing a bit of baking soda with water and putting it in a dish near light, out of your pet’s reach..
Brewer’s Yeast
Brewer’s yeast is made from a fungus used for fermentation in beer. As a nutritional supplement, it increases energy levels and promotes healthy skin, hair, and eyes.6 Brewer’s yeast can be used to boost the immune system of your pet, which in turn can help stave off fleas and other parasites. However, studies dispute its efficacy in directly repelling or killing fleas.7
Powdered brewer’s yeast can be given to pets orally.
Rosemary Flea Dip
Chemical flea dips can be very caustic. You can make a less abrasive version by spiking the water with fresh rosemary at home. Rosemary is a proven flea (and spider and cockroach) repellent.
To make a natural flea dip, start by steeping two cups of fresh rosemary in boiling water for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid, throw away the remaining leaves, and add up to a gallon of warm water (depending on the size of your pup). Wait until the brew cools, but is still warm enough to be comfortable. Pour it over your dog or cat, soaking its coat, and let it dry naturally.
Lemon Spray Repellent
Dr. Ashley Geoghegan of the veterinary practice VetNaturally recommends making a spray with fresh lemons to use as another natural flea repellent.9 While the citrus hasn’t been proven to kill fleas, its scent does seem to drive them away.10
First, cut a lemon into quarters and cover the fruit with boiling water for up to ten minutes. Then, let the mixture steep overnight. You can even add rosemary leaves to the mixture for good measure. The following day, pour the liquid into a spray bottle, taking care to strain the lemon bits out of the liquid first. Spray the lemon water on your pet, making sure not to get it in the eyes. Try to target the spray behind the ears, around the base of its tail and its neck, where fleas are known to hide.
If your pet won’t tolerate spray, you can rub the juice from a freshly squeezed lemon or orange on your dog or cat’s fur. Make sure to use fresh citrus and not citrus essential oil, which can be dangerous to pets.
Neem Oil
This all-natural insect repellent comes from a tree native to India, Sri Lanka, and Burma. It’s often used to repel biting insects such as fleas and mosquitoes, but there’s little proof that it wards off ticks.12 Neem oil is safe to use on dogs and is, in fact, used in some pet shampoos.13 If your pup’s shampoo doesn’t include neem oil, you can simply add a few drops of it or dilute it with dishwashing liquid for a do-it-yourself flea spray.
Warning
Some cats are more sensitive to neem oil than others.14 After applying, look out for any adverse reactions, such as excessive salivation. If you see any, stop using the oil immediately and contact your vet.
Nematodes are microscopic, worm-like parasites that are not dangerous to humans or pets. Some kinds, like the Steinernema carpocapsae, destroy flea larvae by parasitizing them.15 They can be purchased from garden stores, mixed with water, and sprayed around your yard to stave off pests. That said, this treatment won’t help with a flea problem that’s already moved into your house.
Nematodes thrive in sandy soils, and may not do well in other soil compositions. They need moisture on a regular basis, so you should water your lawn every couple of days to ensure their survival.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil contains lauric acid. When this comes into contact with fleas, it coats their exoskeleton with oil and makes them incapable of moving. You can give coconut oil to your pet orally (1 teaspoon per 20 pounds of body weight mixed into their food or given as a treat) or rub it into their coat, which provides shine and moisture.
Natural Soap
Swap out the regular pet shampoo and try bathing your dog or cat with a bar of natural soap scented with peppermint or rosemary—both scents that fleas dislike.
Coconut oil contains lauric acid. When this comes into contact with fleas, it coats their exoskeleton with oil and makes them incapable of moving. You can give coconut oil to your pet orally (1 teaspoon per 20 pounds of body weight mixed into their food or given as a treat) or rub it into their coat, which provides shine and moisture.
Natural Soap
Swap out the regular pet shampoo and try bathing your dog or cat with a bar of natural soap scented with peppermint or rosemary—both scents that fleas dislike.
