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Does your dog have a bad case of fleas?
If yes, then you're probably scratching your head about what to do next. Dealing with dog fleas can be really challenging.
It takes a lot of effort and commitment to treat this problem, and it can be difficult to find the right product for you.
I have tried and tested several flea treatments and shampoos for my pup, and while some worked, I wasn't very sure about their safety.
In severe cases, I had to buy a flea shampoo regularly for a couple of months. And that didn't work very well with our budget.
That's why I have decided to create my own homemade flea spray for dogs.
Signs of Fleas in Your Dogs
If this is your first time to suspect fleas in your dogs, then you might want to check out these telltale signs:
If you're wondering what flea dirt is, they appear as tiny black spots on your dog's skin.
According to Dr. John Howe, DVM, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, flea dirt is a combination of flea feces and blood meal.
If you see these black spots, then it means fleas have been around long enough to consume and excrete.
Another very obvious sign is seeing the flea sticking to your dog's skin or climbing the hair strands.
Dog fleas can be a hazard to your dog and your household. It's a good thing there are DIY homemade flea spray recipes for dogs.
Why Choose a Homemade Flea Spray for Dogs
Learning how to make homemade flea spray for dogs at home by yourself can save you money and reduce your pet's exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins that popular dog flea sprays are known for.
I've been using DIY flea sprays for dogs for years now.
There are many brands of flea treatments available, but most commercial flea sprays for dogs can be costly, and you need to buy them every month.
To save money, you can make an entire bottle of homemade natural flea repellant for dogs for just a few cents per bottle.
This is also much healthier for your dog.
We've all seen how commercial dog flea spray products come with a laundry list of odd ingredients and tons of warnings.
Many of them also earned negative reviews from consumers who say they have made their pets sick.
In fact, some poorly designed dog flea spray products are so dangerous that they can only be used once every 7-10 days.
On the other hand, these three DIY homemade flea spray for dogs recipes that I'm going to share with you today are all natural and 100% safe for pets.
You can use them as often as you want and not worry about a dog accidentally ingesting them.
Plus, you can use ingredients that you already have around your home.
How to Make Homemade Flea Spray for Dogs
Homemade Flea Spray For Dogs Recipe #1: Water and Lemon
Here are the supplies you'll need for this recipe:
- Pint of water
- 10 slices of lemon
- Empty spray bottle (I buy LiBa)
Instructions:
- Boil 1 pint of water in a pot.
- Add about 10 slices of lemon.
- Cover the pot and let the mixture steep overnight.
- Fill a spray bottle with the mixture and apply it to your pet's coat generously every day.
The first recipe I'm sharing with you is effective at repelling fleas, but it needs to be applied daily.
I even apply it more than once per day if my dogs are going to be spending a lot of time outdoors.
On the downside, while this is a simple and inexpensive recipe, it is not as effective as I was hoping for it to be, and it's a bit annoying to have to apply it every day.
Fortunately, there are a few other recipes of homemade flea sprays for dogs that are better.
Natural Flea Repellant For Dogs Recipe #2: Apple Cider Vinegar
Here are the supplies you'll need for this recipe:
Instructions:
- Fill an empty spray bottle halfway with water.
- Add apple cider vinegar until it is full.
Apple cider vinegar works for many things, and I've used it for safe cleaners, but it's also good at repelling fleas.
This homemade flea spray for dogs is effective at repelling fleas, but the downside is that it really stinks.
If you don't want your pooch to smell like apple cider vinegar, you may want to try another option.
So for this easy homemade flea spray recipe, you don't need to apply this spray as often as the one I discussed above.
Once every 2-3 days will be fine.
Apple cider vinegar is an effective flea repellent for dogs, and it's very inexpensive.
It's also 100% safe for your dog.
In fact, I add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to my dog's water bowl every day for an added boost in preventing a flea infestation.
Homemade Flea and Tick Spray for Dogs Recipe #3: ACV and Essential Oils
Here are the supplies you'll need for this recipe:
- Organic apple cider vinegar (like Braggs)
- Non-toxic essential oil (Lavender or Peppermint)
- Water
- Empty spray bottle (I buy LiBa)
Instructions:
- In an empty spray bottle, you'll need to combine 1 cup of apple cider vinegar.
- Add 3 drops of lavender or peppermint essential oil.
- Fill the rest with water.
This is my favorite homemade dog flea spray recipe.
I have personally used all three of these recipes that I'm sharing today for how to make homemade flea spray for dogs.
They have all worked to prevent fleas to one degree or another, but I prefer this third recipe because it doesn't need to be applied daily, and it doesn't smell bad.
The apple cider vinegar and essential oils repel the fleas, and the oils mask some of the bad scents of the apple cider vinegar.
You will only need to apply flea spray every 2-3 days as well.
It works well to repel fleas on the dog, and I've also noticed a reduction in the number of ticks that my dogs have picked up since we began using this homemade flea spray.
FAQs About Homemade Flea Spray for Dogs
How do you kill fleas on dogs naturally?
There are various ways to treat fleas in dogs without using any harmful chemicals.
You can create your own homemade flea spray for dogs using apple cider vinegar, lemon, water, and essential oils.
Other options include putting diatomaceous earth in your yard, doing frequent laundry, and keeping your home clean.
Can you use Dawn dish soap to treat fleas on dogs?
Yes, Dawn dish soap kills fleas and their eggs effectively. You can use this as your own version of homemade flea treatment.
However, keep in mind that Dawn dish soap only helps in killing fleas but doesn't prevent reinfestation.
What is the best homemade flea spray for dogs?
The best homemade flea spray for dogs is the one you can use readily at home with zero to minimal cost.
In this case, the apple cider vinegar and water flea spray recipe is an ideal option if you don't mind the smell.
Homemade Flea Spray For Dogs Recipes: Before You Go…
I hope this short little list of homemade flea sprays for dogs was helpful.
Today, there are many controversial commercial flea and tick sprays and treatments that might cause unwanted side effects.
After years of rolling the dice with those treatments, I felt it would be much safer and cheaper to make my own natural flea repellants for my dogs.
Fleas and ticks can be a nuisance if you aren't prepared for them when the season hits.
And then, when you shop online, you get inundated with all of these brands.
After hearing horror stories of dogs getting sick and dying, you have to pick which commercial ones have the least negative reviews, so I figured it would help you all as it did me to write this article.
Overall, DIY flea treatments like the ones I went through work pretty well.
Let me know in the comments below which one you liked and which one worked best for you!
RELATED READS:
- How To Remove Fleas From A Dog
- 9 Natural Home Remedies for Dog's Fleas and Ticks
- What to Do If Your Dog Has Fleas
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