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What is a Good Natural Flea Bath for Dogs?

Corgi wrapped in a towel in a bathtub

Bathing your furry friend is one of the first steps in getting rid of fleas. Bathing your pet and making your dog shampoo at home is a straightforward procedure. Often, you will already have the items on hand. Keep reading to know about a good natural flea bath for your dogs and puppies.

What’s the Best Natural Flea Shampoo for Dogs? Click here to find out.

Homemade Flea Bath for Dogs

If your dog is itching and you suspect it is due to fleas, several home cures can be beneficial. Any lather-producing pet shampoo will naturally kill existing fleas. Natural flea cures are usually the best option, so use an organic pet shampoo with no additional chemicals.

Scrub gently to make a lather and allow the shampoo on for a few minutes to do its job. That is an excellent method for eliminating existing fleas before going on to flea preventative medications. The following are some dog baths you can use to get rid of fleas in dogs.

Lemon Bath

close up of a pile of lemons

This lemon bath is simple to prepare and will leave your pet feeling fresh and flea-free. To cure fleas in dogs naturally, dilute half a cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice in two cups of water, then add a squeeze of your regular pet-friendly soap or shampoo.

Start at the top, from the head/ears (being very careful not to pour water inside the ears). If you start in the center of the dog’s body, the fleas will all run to higher ground to avoid the soap and water, and as the head is the most difficult portion to bathe, it’s best to start there and work your way down. Scrub and soap Fido until the suds are visible. Massage from head to toe for around 10 minutes to remove the eggs. Rinse your pet well. Take caution not to get water in your ears, eyes, or nose.

Apple Cider Vinegar Bath

Bottle of apple cider vinegar and a stack of apples isolated on a white background

The slightly acidic pH of apple cider vinegar produces an unfriendly habitat for fleas. Mix six cups apple cider vinegar with four cups water (in a 6:4 ratio), then add a teaspoon of salt and stir thoroughly. Pour the liquid into the tub and add some mild soap or dog shampoo you use. Scrub your dog’s coat until it resembles leather. Then wash so that fleas will be away.

Essential Oils Bath

Essential oil bottle with an eyedropper surrounded by herbs

Take the tub in which you are going to give a bath to your pet. Add one tablespoon of Castile soap, two drops of peppermint oil, two drops of eucalyptus oil, two drops of lavender oil, two drops of rosemary oil, and two ounces of aloe vera gel for a soothing effect. Add a few drops of the shampoo you usually apply to your dog.

Now, mix all the ingredients well and add warm water. Give a gentle bath to your pup by scrubbing the coat and then washing thoroughly. Dry your pet with a towel. The essential oils are good for maintaining healthy skin. They prevent skin infections and fleas.

Like to make homemade products for your household? Try this Homemade Flea Shampoo for Dogs.

Flea Bath for Puppies

Beagle puppy being washed in a small blue tub

If the animal is badly infected, your veterinarian may suggest a flea wash for pups under six weeks. Use the substance that your veterinarian advises, and only on your puppy. Some flea shampoos for puppies are hazardous to cats, and vice versa.

Begin by thoroughly bathing each puppy’s neck, getting him wet to the skin. Apply the shampoo around the puppy’s neck, then scrub it well. This procedure helps to keep fleas from getting into the puppy’s eyes and ears, which are more difficult to clean. After washing the puppy’s neck, you may go on to the remainder of his body.

Towel dry the dog completely after applying the recommended flea shampoo in a warm water bath. If required, use a hair dryer in a cool setting to dry him. The puppy must keep warm since he struggles to control his body temperature and might easily become ill.

Vinegar Bath

Golden retriever puppy in a bathtub

In a large mixing basin, add the one-quart warm water and one cup of apple cider vinegar. After combining these two components, gradually add a few drops of liquid dish soap. Combine these components and pour them into a spray bottle. Give it a slight toss once it’s in the spray bottle to ensure everything is well blended.

Place your dog in the bathtub and spritz them with shampoo. This flea shampoo is used in the same manner as ordinary dog shampoo. Massage it into your puppy’s coat for 5 minutes, then thoroughly rinse with warm water. Finally, use a towel to dry your puppy. Repeat this technique a few times a week until all fleas have been eliminated.

This treatment helps smooth and soften your puppy’s coat. The good thing about vinegar bathing is that it does not have any side effects and keeps your puppy safe from further flea infestation.

Looking for a flea shampoo but don’t know what to buy? Check out our post “What Makes a Safe Flea Shampoo for Dogs?”

What Threats Do Fleas Pose to Puppies?

Golden retriever puppies running in grass

Puppies, in particular, are vulnerable to anemia from flea infestations. To begin with, their immune systems are not completely matured. Furthermore, fleas can transmit tapeworms to your puppy, which is one of the most prevalent intestinal parasites in dogs. When puppies gnaw at their skin and ingest fleas, they become infected.

The tapeworm’s eggs are also found within the flea. The tapeworm egg hatches inside the pup’s digestive tract and attaches to the intestinal lining. Tapeworm-infected dogs will pass little fragments of the worms into their feces. The segments are initially white but they deepen to a cream or golden tone as they dry.

If you discover tapeworm segments, your veterinarian will need to treat both the tapeworms and the fleas, or the tapeworms will recur. While getting rid of fleas on your puppy may take a little more effort, if you treat both the surroundings and your dog, you can effectively remove the flea problem.

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