How to Get Rid of Fleas on Dogs with Essential Oils?

Essential oils offer numerous benefits to humans and removing fleas from the house is one of them. Some of them can also be used on dogs while others are toxic and must be avoided. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to consult your veterinarian before using any essential oil on your pup. Keep reading to know which essential oils can help you to get rid of fleas on dogs.

What Is the Best Essential Oil to Kill Fleas?

Cedarwood essential oil is considered best for killing fleas and is used in many flea repellent sprays. It is also effective against several other parasites, including ticks, flies, and mosquitoes. It’s imperative to dilute this essential oil before spraying it around your house or on your dog. This essential oil can either be mixed with your dog’s shampoo or applied directly to the affected areas.

You should keep in mind that there are different types of cedarwood and all of them are not safe for pets. The cedarwood that is considered safe for dogs and is used in most commercial products is called ‘Atlas’. It is obtained from the bark, leaves, and needles of the cedar plant. It offers a solution for several other problems (besides killing fleas), such as anxiety, acne, and insomnia.

How Do You Make Dog Flea Spray with Essential Oils?

Essential oils provide a natural and safe solution for removing fleas from your dog’s coat. A variety of essential oils can be used for this purpose but the method to make the dog flea spray will stay the same. Read on to learn how you can make a flea spray for your dog with essential oils.

Ingredients:

• ¼  cup of vinegar
• ¾  cup of distilled water
• 10 drops of any dog-safe essential oil

Directions

1. Mix the vinegar with distilled water to make a mixture. You can boil and cool tap water if you don’t have distilled water.
2. Add 10 drops of essential oil to the vinegar mixture and stir.
3. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and use it on your pooch. Don’t forget to shake well before use.
4. When using this spray on your pooch, don’t soak his fur in it. Instead, lightly mist his coat and use your fingers to work it into his fur. You can use this spray 2-3 times a week to repel fleas.

Dog Flea Shampoo

If the flea infestation is very severe, spraying might not solve the problem. In that case, you will need to bathe your pup with essential oil to remove these tiny parasites. Here’s how you can make a dog fleas shampoo at home.

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces of liquid castile soap
• 1 ounce of vegetable glycerin
• 2 ounces of distilled water
• 5 drops of any dog-safe essential oil

Directions

1. Mix 3 ounces of liquid castile soap with 1 ounce of vegetable glycerin.
2. Stir in 2 ounces of distilled water.
3. Add five drops of essential oil. If combining oils such as tea tree and lavender, use three drops of each.
4. When bathing your dog, allow the shampoo to sit on his coat for 10 minutes before rinsing it off to allow the essential oils to kill the fleas.

Thank you to Pets on Mom for these recipes.

Does Peppermint Oil Kill Fleas on Dogs?

Although Peppermint oil is effective in keeping these pests away, it can’t kill fleas on dogs. However, it can provide immediate relief to your pup by forcing these parasites away. This is because fleas don’t like the smell of essential oils and will try their best to avoid it. Similarly, peppermint oil is useful for flea infestations because it can kill flea larvae.

Peppermint oil also offers some other benefits to your pooch. For example, it can be used to heal an acute injury and helps an overheated dog by cooling him/her down.

Will Tea Tree Oil Kill Fleas on Dogs?

Tea tree oil can kill fleas but it’s not recommended to use it on dogs. This is because it is toxic to canines and can cause serious damage to your dog’s respiratory system. Likewise, it is dangerous for your pup’s liver and can also lead to neurological problems, like lack of coordination. Although some people argue that small quantities of tea tree oil are safe, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Does Lavender Oil Kill Fleas on Dogs?

Lavender oil is an efficient flea repellent but it won’t kill these irritating pests. However, it is completely safe for dogs (when diluted) and will give them some relief against fleas. If your pooch is not infested, lavender oil can also be used as a preventative measure.

Lavender oil is ideal for those canines that are new to essential oils. This is because its smell is a little mild, and it will have a calming effect. A lot of humans also use this essential oil for dealing with stress and anxiety. Hence, you can apply some lavender oil to your pooch whenever they are about to experience a stressful situation.

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.