What kills fleas immediately on dogs?

Índice Show

What’s the Deal with Fleas?
How to Get Rid of Fleas on Dogs
Lime or Lemon Comb/Lemon Bath
Apple Cider Vinegar
How to Get Rid of Fleas in Your Home and Yard
Diatomaceous Earth
Baking Soda and Salt
What about Essential Oils?

Reviewed by Amy Flowers, DVM on October 21, 2021

Fleas are common pests that affect dogs, cats, and their owners. These small insects feed on the blood of their host. While wingless, fleas can jump as far as 13 inches, nearly 200 times the length of their bodies.

Not only are fleas tiny, but they’re also quick. You might not even know they’re there at first. Some pets are more sensitive to the bites than others. The insects’ saliva causes an allergic reaction, which leads to itchiness. You might notice your pet scratching more often. A closer look at your pet might show scabs, flea dirt, or what looks like salt and pepper in their bed.

Fleas don’t affect only animals. They may also bite you, leaving itchy welts on your skin. Some may also transmit diseases such as typhus and plague. They can infect cats with “cat scratch disease,” which your cat can then pass to you. Some fleas may also pass tapeworms to animals and people.

If your dog or cat has fleas, medication is a must. Getting the bugs off your pet is important, too. It cuts down the number of itchy, irritating bites your pet gets -- and helps keep fleas out of your home.

If you notice fleas on your pet or in your home, you should take care of the issue quickly. They multiply fast, and a few can turn into a serious infestation, causing problems for you and your pets.

Here are a few remedies and treatments you can use to get rid of fleas.

One of the first solutions to get rid of fleas is to bathe your pet. Just lukewarm water, or water and a mild soap, can help get fleas off your pet’s fur and skin. The dish soap can help to drown adult fleas. If you’re thinking about using a flea shampoo or something similar, talk to your veterinarian first. It can strip oils from your pet’s fur and dry out their skin. If your pet is allergic to fleas (your vet may call it flea allergy dermatitis), its skin might be especially sensitive. That’s also true if your pet has any other open wounds or “raw spots” on its skin. Some of the chemicals in flea products can make irritation and infections worse.

While a bath can help your pet, it’s not a must. If you’re worried about how your pet will react, it’s OK to skip this step. You should avoid bathing your pet too often. Talk to your vet to determine what’s right for your pet. Some may need daily baths for severe infestations, where others will only need once a week. It may also depend on the kind of shampoo you use.

Fleas are tiny, fast, and difficult to grab. One way to remove them from your pet’s fur is to use a flea comb. Dipping the comb in a mixture of water and dish soap will help to catch the insects, keeping them from jumping away. The teeth on a flea comb are spaced to trap fleas while they allow your pet’s fur to pass through. Flea combs also help remove flea poop, sometimes called “flea dirt” -- dark brown or black specks that look like pepper flakes. The comb can also help to remove eggs from your pet’s fur. Be sure to take special care while you comb around your pet’s neck and tail areas. That’s where fleas tend to feed.

The little buggers are usually between the size of a poppy seed and a sesame seed, and they're brown or reddish brown. If you see a flea on the flea comb, dunk the comb into hot, soapy water to kill the flea. Don’t try to crush fleas. They jump quickly and can be hard to kill by hand.

Apple cider vinegar can’t kill fleas, but it can help to repel them. Fleas don’t like the smell or taste of it, so they’re likely to avoid your pet if they have it on their fur. Dilute apple cider vinegar in water and add it to a spray bottle. If your pet doesn’t enjoy getting sprayed, dip a brush in the mixture and get it into their fur with a grooming session.

If your pet has a history of fleas, comb your friend with a flea comb at least once a week until you’re sure that your home and pet are free of fleas.

Cats clean themselves more when they have fleas. They’re not just itching. Researchers say the extra work helps cats get rid of fleas. Many dogs also groom themselves more often when they have fleas. In most cases, that’s OK. But if your pet is nipping, chewing, or scratching at itself enough that you notice hair loss or red, inflamed, or bloody skin, call your vet right away. Your animal may have an infection or a flea allergy.

Keep in mind that you may not find fleas on your pet, even if your vet has confirmed your pet has been bitten by fleas. They live in carpets, bedding, and other surfaces in your home. They jump onto pets (and sometimes humans) to eat, but they usually don’t stay once they’re done eating.

If you're not sure if your pet has fleas, see your vet to make sure.

Fleas generally aren’t a medical emergency. In many cases, you should be able to get rid of them without seeing your vet, although the best way to handle them is with a prescription flea medication such as a collar or an oral or topical treatment. You should schedule an appointment right away if:

Your pet is lethargic.
They lose weight unexpectedly.
They are scooting across the floor.
You notice tapeworm segments in their stool -- these are usually about a half-inch long and resemble grains of rice or cucumber seeds.
Their gums are pale.

These symptoms may point to an issue such as a tapeworm. The sooner you address them, the sooner you can restore your pet’s health and quality of life.

Ugh, fleas. Why? Fleas are a nuisance, both to your dog and to your household. To combat them, you have a choice between commercial chemical products and natural remedies. If you’re dealing with a flea infestation, you should probably turn to the hard stuff. But if you want to prevent fleas from hitching a ride on your pet in the first place, here are some benefits of natural flea treatments for dogs — many of which you can mix up from ingredients you probably already in your kitchen.

What’s the Deal with Fleas?

Regardless of what breed they are or where they live, many dogs are afflicted by fleas. These tiny pests, whose bites provoke an itching sensation, irritate dogs no end, resulting in what seems like nonstop scratching. Scratching is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, though. Dogs who are allergic to flea saliva can develop skin redness, welts and swelling, not to mention skin lesions from constant licking. Flea bites can also cause anemia, and — if fleas are ingested during the dog’s non-stop grooming — tapeworm infestations.

Then there’s the housework. A dog’s constant scratching spreads loose hair and dead skin. Adding to the challenge, fleas lay eggs in inaccessible and difficult-to-clean areas of your home, including along baseboards, under furniture and in cracks in floorboards. Clearly, you need to fight back, both for your pup’s sanity and your own. Here are some home remedies to get rid of those pesky fleas.

How to Get Rid of Fleas on Dogs

Depending on where you live, fleas may be a seasonal or a year-round problem. Generally, they’re the biggest menace during the summer, when dogs spend more time outside. Fleas themselves are very tiny and move quickly, so a simple visual inspection isn’t always enough. To find out if your dog has fleas, check for black specks on their coat and skin. These are flea droppings (gross!). Or, check for specks by rubbing a white tissue across your dog’s fur. Here are some natural home remedies if your sleuthing turns up evidence of fleas.

Flea Comb

An affordable and practical solution, a flea comb is a must-have for pet parents looking for a natural flea-killer. They come in various sizes, but all have closely spaced teeth that remove both eggs and fleas from the dog’s coat. (Be sure to dip the comb in soapy water after each pass to kill the eggs and adults the comb picks up.) This is a great first step in your war on these pests.

Lime or Lemon Comb/Lemon Bath

Dip your dog’s comb in fresh lime or lemon juice and make multiple passes through their coat. (If your dog has a short or slick coat, you can also use a cloth dipped in the juice instead of a comb.) Another option is to dilute lemon juice with water (use a 1:2 ratio) and add a splash of pet shampoo.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar’s slightly acidic pH level creates an inhospitable environment for fleas. Mix six cups of ACV with four cups of water (use a 6:4 ratio), add a pinch of salt, and spray the mixture on your dog’s coat and underbelly, making sure to avoid their eyes and any wounds they may have.

Collars

Dilute two to three drops of oil in one to three tablespoons of water and apply a few drops to your pet’s existing collar or to a bandana. (You’ll need to reapply this mixture regularly. See Barbara Fougère’s book, The Pet Lover’s Guide to Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats, for more detailed instructions.) Lavender or cedar oil naturally repels fleas, but be sure to test them with your dog before using them on anything that that goes around their neck.

How to Get Rid of Fleas in Your Home and Yard

One of the first things to do when you notice a flea infestation is to launder (if possible, using hot water) all machine-washable soft furnishings your dog comes in contact with, including sofa and pillow covers, blankets, cushion covers and curtains, then tumble dry for about 20 minutes on high (or a little longer on lower heat if the material is subject to shrinkage). This will kill both adult fleas and larvae.

Even when you don’t see fleas, it’s a good idea to regularly launder anything your dog sleeps on, and to vacuum floors and furniture at least weekly; a monthly steam-cleaning can also help. A flea’s life cycle — from egg to adult — is roughly two to three weeks, so weekly cleaning goes a long way toward preventing fleas from settling in. Keep in mind that more than 90% of the flea population in the home is not on the pet but in the home environment in the form of eggs, larvae and pupae. Flea larvae don’t like light, so be sure to vacuum under furniture and around baseboards, too.

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is basically the fossilized remains of microscopic diatoms, broken down into a fine, white, silica-based powder. When fleas and other pests (ticks, ants, bedbugs) come into contact with it, it destroys their exoskeletons and they dry out and die. Diatomaceous earth comes in two forms, pool/filter- and food-grade; be sure to get the food-grade, which is low in crystalline silica and nontoxic to humans and animals. You should, however, wear a mask when distributing it, as it can irritate eyes and throat.

Sprinkle it in areas where you suspect high flea activity—carpets, for example—and leave it for about two days, then vacuum the area thoroughly. Empty the vacuum canister or replace the bag outside. It can also be used outside on the lawn or on any area in which your dog regularly stretches out.

Sudden scratching? Finicky food eater? Loose poop? Whatever pet health question is on your mind, our veterinary pros are here to help.

Baking Soda and Salt

Much like diatomaceous earth, baking soda and salt dehydrate fleas and their eggs. Liberally sprinkle the mixture around your house and use a broom to work it into carpet fibers or under furniture. Leave for a day or two and vacuum thoroughly. Clean your vacuum carefully afterward (salt can cause rust) and, as with diatomaceous earth, empty the canister or replace the bag outside.

Nematodes

Small worms that eat insect larvae, nematodes live in the soil, and some types can be very helpful in the fight against termites, grubs and fleas. Order them online and mix the nematodes with water then spray throughout your yard. Read the packaging carefully; it’s very important to use the correct amount of water.

Rosemary

Steep the rosemary needles in boiling water, strain and dilute. When the water reaches a comfortable temperature, pour it over your dog and work into their coat. Using a pestle and mortar, you can also make a fine powder with dried rosemary, fennel, wormwood and rue to sprinkle around your home. Make sure your dog is comfortable with the smell before using it as a dip or an ingredient in the sprinkling powder.

Finally, many sources recommend giving dogs brewer’s yeast to help repel fleas; while the science behind this is slight, anecdotally, it seems to help, although it takes time to start working. (Check with your vet before trying this). Above all, feed your dog a balanced diet and be vigilant about their health. Fleas are less successful in setting up shop on healthy, well-fed dogs.

What about Essential Oils?

While some essential oils have been rumored to keep fleas away, they need to be used with the utmost caution, as many are toxic to dogs (and downright deadly to cats). It’s best to consult with your vet before adopting this approach. Essential oils must be diluted in a carrier oil before being sprayed on, applied to your dog’s coat, or added to your dog’s shampoo. But if there are also cats in your home, steer clear of essential oils entirely — that includes essential oil diffusers.

Essential oils toxic to dogs: Tea tree oil, pennyroyal, oil of wintergreen, and pine oils.

Essential oils toxic to cats: Tea tree oil, pennyroyal, oil of wintergreen, pine oils, oil of sweet birch, citrus oil (D-limonene), ylang ylang oil, peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, clove oil, and eucalyptus oil.