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Does Peppermint Oil Kill Fleas on Dogs?

Overhead view of a peppermint plant

Many pet owners are always looking for natural alternatives to medications and pesticides. Therefore essential oils are frequently mentioned. Peppermint oil is an essential oil that is occasionally advised for usage in dogs, particularly for flea control. However, there is a very little scientific study on the usage of peppermint oil in animals or for eradicating fleas. For this reason, it’s imperative to observe caution while using this essential oil on your pet. Keep reading to know how you can use Peppermint oil to kill fleas on dogs.

How Do You Use Peppermint Oil to Get Rid Of Fleas?

Fleas are a frequent nuisance that both animals and people suffer from. Flea treatment and prevention options are many at pet and garden retailers. Peppermint is a very popular natural medicine. While peppermint may not be able to completely remove a flea infestation, it can help to prevent and repel fleas. Some of the ways to achieve this goal are discussed below.

What are some other essential oils you can use for fleas on dogs? Check out our post “9 Essential Oils for Fleas on Dogs” to learn more.

Plant Peppermint Plants in Your Garden

Woman in an apron with clippers bent over peppermint plants

Peppermint is a great plant to have in your garden because fleas are attracted to plants with strong scents. Therefore, you can use peppermint plants as a border or garden filler to keep fleas away. While the plants won’t keep all fleas out of your yard, they will keep the majority of them out.

When planting peppermint, keep in mind that it tends to grow and become invasive. Hence, you need to dig up new growth in the spring or grow them in pots or raised beds.

Spray Peppermint Oil

Spray bottle spraying mist against a black background

Pour a quarter cup of peppermint oil into a spray bottle and three cups of rubbing alcohol. Shake them well to make a mixture. Now, spray any impacted places while paying extra care to the borders of walls, pet beds, and carpets. If you’re going to use this solution on cloth, try it on an inconspicuous area first. If all goes well, you can use peppermint for that fabric.

Use Peppermint Oil Sachets

container of square sachets made from teabag type material

Take some cotton and dip it well in peppermint oil. Then, make a sachet of this cotton and use it to vacuum the affected areas. Allow the extra peppermint oil to drip out of cotton balls or pads. Then, drop the sachet into your vacuum and you are good to go. Not only will the peppermint oil repel adult fleas, but the sachet in the vacuum bag will also kill any eggs or infant fleas.

After each vacuuming operation, make sure to toss your vacuum bag into your outside trash can. Placed in closets, room corners, or pet beds, sachets are also beneficial to homes.

Make a Peppermint Oil Collar for Your Dog

A piece of jute rope with the ends tied, laid in a circle

Soak a length of natural fiber rope in peppermint oil for about 10 minutes. Allow the rope to dry completely after removing it from the oil. Tie the rope around your pet’s neck with one finger’s breadth of space between the knots. Don’t forget to observe caution while making a DIY flea collar.

Essential oils may be hazardous to pets if they ingest them. Therefore, make sure that the collar fits properly and that you can check it frequently.

Is Peppermint Oil Safe for Dog’s Skin?

bottle of peppermint oil with a sprig of peppermint on a wooden table

No, Peppermint oil is not suitable for dogs or other animals. If your dog comes into touch with peppermint oil, his symptoms might range from non-existent to life-threatening (depending on the dose). Discomfort, irritation, and skin responses are examples of minor symptoms. Lethargy, vomiting, and possibly liver failure are more serious symptoms.

Recently, there have been several tales in the headlines of pets being gravely ill and their owners realizing it was due to essential oil diffusion or usage. Peppermint, it turns out, is poisonous to pets in its plant form. If you have peppermint in your garden or around your home, the ASPCA advises keeping it out of reach of pets that have a habit of eating things they shouldn’t.

Benefits of Peppermint Oil for Dogs

Brown glass bottle with an eyedropper being held above it with a mortar and pestle behind it on a white surface

Is it safe for dogs to use peppermint essential oil? Due to a shortage of studies, there is no clear answer as to whether peppermint oil is just as useful for dogs as it is for humans or possibly harmful to their health. For a long time, dog owners have debated this matter without any research-based evidence to back them up. Peppermint oil may be used as aromatherapy for your dog by putting a few drops into a diffuser or feeding it to them orally after consulting with a veterinarian.

Peppermint oil has amazing healing antiseptic properties and can help humans and dogs heal cuts and wounds faster. However, you should consult your dog’s veterinarian before applying peppermint essential oil directly to a fresh wound or open cut. If not used properly, it can easily enter the bloodstream and intoxicate your dog.

Want to know how to use lavender to rid your dog of fleas? Check out our post “How do you use lavender oil on dogs for fleas?”

Risks of Using Peppermint Oil for Dogs

Close up of half of the face of a black labrador retriever

Essential oils are swiftly absorbed by your dog’s system after being ingested or applied topically. Because essential oils are processed by the liver, if not utilized properly, they can injure the liver and, in extreme situations, lead to liver failure. Dogs with a history of liver illness are at a higher risk.

Essential oils are extremely concentrated and can irritate both humans and dogs when applied directly to the skin. In extreme circumstances, peppermint essential oils can cause rashes or chemical burns on your dog’s sensitive skin. Peppermint essential oil might make your puppy’s breathing or respiratory issues worse. This is because dogs have heightened senses of smell. Thus the strong fragrance of peppermint is even greater for them, leading to respiratory problems in dogs.

Intoxication is the most serious side effect of giving peppermint oil to a dog. Although the exact dose that can kill a dog has yet to be determined, the excessive dosage can result in poisoning.

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