All-Natural Flea Treatments For Your Dog

Down here in Central Texas, fleas are a constant worry for pet owners. And while many do resort to traditional flea/tick treatments, more and more are looking to switch to non-chemical options. Our team is a big fan of all-natural flea treatments for your dog! Here are our top picks: 

Diatomaceous Earth (DE): One of the Best All-Natural Flea Treatments For Your Dog

This powder is actually the fossilized remains of algae called diatoms. Under a microscope, they look like shards of glass. Similarly, they will cut up the exoskeleton of fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes that come into contact with it. Additionally, they absorb any fats or oils from these critters. The result is a handy all-natural treatment and preventative for fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. You can apply this to your carpet, furniture, and pet beds. It can even be rubbed into your pet's fur! However, do so with caution, as the powder can cause some lung and eye irritation. Finally, you can also feed DE to your dog to help with intestinal parasites. Simply add 1 tsp. per day to the meals of dogs under 55lbs and 1 tbsp. for those over 55 lbs. 

All-Natural Drops and Sprays

Not a fan of applying chemicals to your pup's skin? We don't blame you! Traditional drops can cause irritation, blisters, and other adverse reactions in your pet. While looking for all-natural flea treatments for your dog, keep an eye out for ingredients such as cedar oil, neem oil or clove oil. One of our favorite brands is Wondercide, which make a pet-friendly spray and even an outdoor lawn/garden spray as well. All-natural drops will usually incorporate clove, cinnamon, or neem oil in their formulas. Be advised, however, that as these sprays and drops are oil-based that they will become less effective if either your lawn or your pet gets wet. 

Beneficial Nematodes

While this particular product isn't applied directly onto your pet, it is perhaps one of the most effective remedies for repelling and exterminating fleas around your home. Beneficial nematodes feed on fleas, ants, and mosquitoes that live on your lawn. They will remain as long as you have these critters in your grass and don't wash away with the rain. Simply apply them with your spray hose and you'll have around 90% extermination within 48 hours. It's best to apply them in the evening when the temperature is between 50-90 degrees. Also, keep in mind that this treatment will only be effective up to 95 degrees, as beneficial nematodes will not consume their prey in extreme heat. 

Apple Cider Vinegar

You can use this ingredient as either a topical spray or a digestible treatment for fleas. As a spray, mix a 1:3 to 1:1 ratio in a bottle and apply once a day for several days to treat currently present fleas. Then, apply once every few days for maintenance. As a daily digestible, apple cider vinegar helps to change the acidity of your pet's skin, thereby making them less appealing to fleas and mosquitoes. You can add 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar to a quart of water and pour the mixture into your dog's bowl each day. Or you can add 1 tsp. of it to your pet's food each day.

Any of these options are great all-natural flea treatments for your dog. Try them out and let us know how well they work for you and your pet!