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How to Get Rid of Fleas on Dogs with Baking Soda?

pile of baking soda on a marble counter

Baking soda is an amazing household ingredient that can be used for several different purposes. Killing fleas is also one of them as it rehydrates these pesky insects. Baking soda can be used to remove fleas from carpets, furniture, and even your dog.  Keep reading to learn how you can use baking soda to get rid of fleas on dogs.

Is Baking Soda Harmful to Dog’s Skin?

Baking soda is completely safe for dogs and can be applied to their skin for various reasons. For example, baking soda is an ingredient of many dog shampoos because it acts as a deodorizer. Similarly, it is used for treating dryness, itching, and skin inflammation. This is because it has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and will improve your pup’s fur.

However, it is not recommended to sprinkle baking soda directly on your dog’s coat. Instead, you can make a spray and apply it to the inflamed parts of the body. One of the ways to make this natural spray is as follows.

Person applying spray to a dogs hot spots

Ingredients:

  • 5 tablespoons baking soda
  • 1 liter water
  • Few drops of coconut oil

Directions

  1. Pour the water into a spray bottle.
  2. Add the baking soda into the water and shake well.
  3. Now, add the coconut oil for a more hydrating result.
  4. Spray the mixture all over your dog’s skin paying more attention to the more inflamed and itchy areas.

Thank you to Nedufy for this recipe.

Can I Put Baking Soda on My Dog to Kill Fleas?

Person scooping a spoon full of baking soda from a jar

Yes, you can and it will be quite effective if you have followed the right method. Baking soda is a very efficient dehydrating agent and will kill fleas by draining the moisture from their bodies. It can also rehydrate flea eggs and larvae to ensure that a re-infestation won’t happen.

However, you may need to combine it with some other ingredients, like salt and apple cider vinegar. Both these household commodities will make baking soda even more potent. You can also add some water to this mixture for diluting the acid of the vinegar.

Fleas don’t like the scent and taste of apple cider vinegar and will try to leave your dog’s body. On the other hand, the grains of salt can go deep into your dog’s skin and will pull more fleas out. Therefore, it is often recommended to use this solution to get rid of fleas on dogs.

How Do You Use Baking Soda to Get Rid of Fleas?

A single flea isolated on a white background

Baking soda can be used in different ways to remove fleas from your dog. It can either be sprayed on your pup’s fur or you can use it to make a shampoo for your pooch. Let’s discuss both these methods and see how you can get rid of these irritating parasites.

Baking Soda Shampoo for Fleas on Dogs

Corgi getting a bath with its tongue stuck out

Some people believe that bathing is an effective way to counter fleas. However, it’s only true if you do it the right way. Otherwise, excessive bathing can worsen the situation because it leads to dry skin and other skin problems. All the ingredients used in this recipe are natural and will yield good results when used properly.

Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
  • 5 drops of peppermint oil
  • 2 cups of warm water

Directions

  1. Pour the water into a bowl and add baking soda and apple cider vinegar to it.
  2. Then, add the peppermint oil to make the solution even more irritating for fleas.
  3. Rub this mixture into the fur (avoiding his face).
  4. Brush or comb through your pooch’s fur, getting the ingredients down to his skin.
  5. Leave on for at least five minutes, longer if your doggie is happy to allow you.
  6. Leave the mixture on your dog, just give him a rub down with a dry towel to get off any excess moisture, and repeat once a week.
  7. You can also use this concoction as a final rinse if you have used a commercial dog shampoo. Since baking soda is alkaline, it will neutralize any acids contained in the shampoo, restoring the ph balance of his skin and will effectively get rid of your doggie’s fleas.

Thank you to The Bug Squad for this recipe.

Need to know how to get rid of fleas on your dog? Check out our post “How to Get Rid of Fleas on Dogs” to learn more.

Baking Soda Spray for Fleas on Dogs

Person spraying a clear spray bottle in the air against a black background.

Apple cider vinegar is one of the most popular household ingredients to manage flea infestations. This is because its smell is irritating to fleas and they would try their best to avoid it. Let’s see how you can make the most of this acidic ingredient.

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz. apple cider vinegar
  • ½ tsp. baking soda
  • 4 oz. warm water
  • ½ tsp. salt

Directions

  1. Mix the dry ingredients (baking soda and salt).
  2. Then, slowly add vinegar and water to make a mixture that will react a bit.
  3. Fill the mixture into a spray bottle and use it on your pets, taking care not to get the mixture into their eyes.

Thank you to Flea Bites for this recipe.

How Long Do I Leave Baking Soda on My Dog for Fleas?

Pile of baking soda against a white background.

The exact answer to this question depends upon the method that you are using. If you are using baking soda in the spray form, it can be left on your dog’s fur to dry. This will allow the baking soda to come in contact with the fleas and kill them. Similarly, you must leave the baking soda shampoo on your pooch’s fur for 5-10 minutes before rinsing it off.  

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Please note: We are not veterinarians and you use our advice at your own discretion. We always recommend that you consult your veterinarian whenever you have health-related conditions your furbaby is facing. With that in mind, as pet parents ourselves, we wish nothing but the best for your pet and their healthy and happy lives.