If your dog happens to get fleas, you have no option but to do something about it. Ignoring the problem is not an option because soon enough, you will be scratching your head once the blood-sucking parasites get to you.

Besides, fleas will make your dog itchy and full of irritated bites, which means it will not be as fun to play with.

Fleas start off as eggs, which hatch into larvae and then molt into pupae (cocoons) before reaching adulthood.

How Do Dogs Get Fleas?

Without a host, fleas die of starvation within 4 days.

So, as your dog moves around and lies on surfaces like the carpet, couch, grass, dog bed, or anywhere else where the fleas might be lying waiting for a host, it will become a welcoming host for these blood-sucking parasites.

Contact with other animals can also result in your dog getting fleas.

Signs Your Dog Has Fleas

There quite a few signs that your dog might have fleas. For instance, if it is always scratching itself lately, has red or irritated skin, is experiencing hair loss, or is often biting and chewing at its skin, then the chances are that it has fleas.

1. How To Get Rid Of Fleas On Dogs At Home Naturally Using A Flea Comb

A fine-tooth flea comb can remove the fleas and their poop from your dog's skin. You should pay special attention to the neck and tail area, where fleas tend to feed.

Once you have combed the fleas out of your dog, you will see them on the comb. They look like poppy seeds and have a brown or reddish-brown color.

You should not try to kill the fleas by crushing them, as they are quick and can jump quickly back onto the dog. Simply dip the comb in hot and soapy water to kill the fleas.

After this process, you should check the dog for fleas about once a week using a flea comb.

Otherwise, if your dog nipping, chewing, or scratching itself excessively due to fleas, it might have a flea allergy and your best option would be taking it to the vet.

2. How To Get Rid Of Fleas From Your Dog Using Sprays

Essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, and rosemary are very effective flea repellents. You should dilute some of this essential oil and spray the mixture onto your dog's fur coat.

Be sure to keep the concentration low, as some essential oils can be very toxic to pets. For instance, with tea tree oil, keep the concentration under 1%.

You can also use a mixture of apple cider vinegar and salt, which provides an optimal pH level for your dog's health while making its skin unsuitable for the survival of fleas.

To make this remedy, mix 6 cups of apple cider vinegar with 4 cups of water and add a dash of sea salt, then spray the solution on your dog. Remember to avoid the eyes.

If you are up to it, you can also make some aromatherapy spray, which will soothe your dog's skin while also killing the fleas. You can use sweet almond oil as a base, add a few drops of Atlas cedar oil, lemon eucalyptus oil, geranium oil, bay laurel oil, myrrh oil, and lavender oil to make your flea-killing aromatherapy spray.

3. How To Kill The Fleas On Your Dog Using A Flea Sachet

Maybe your dog does not like the sprays, weird-smelling baths, or the oils rubbed on to its skin, and that's okay.

If that's the case, you can make a small bag using breathable fabric and fill it with lemon peels, dry lavender buds, and cedar chips, and then leave it near your dog's sleeping area to kill the fleas.

All you have to do is replace the bag after about a month.

4. How To Get Rid Of Fleas Using Baths

Believe it or not, some baths can be very effective at freeing your dog from fleas.

For instance, you can make a lemon bath by diluting half a cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice with two cups of water and adding some pet-friendly shampoo to the mixture, and use it to wash your dog.

You can also use a shampoo that produces a lot of lather, as that will naturally kill any fleas living on your dog's coat. After lathering the dog, leave the shampoo on for some minutes while killing the fleas before rinsing it off.

Another option is to steep fresh rosemary leaves in boiling water, strain the mixture and then dilute it with warm water before pouring it on your dog. After that, let the dog dry naturally.

You can also wash your dog using organic peppermint or organic rose soap. These products are very effective at getting rid of fleas on pets.

5. Ridding Your Dog Of Fleas Using Oil Rubs

Some oils are very effective at getting rid of fleas when rubbed on your dog's skin. Examples include neem oil.

Neem oil is also effective when diluted and used as a flea spray. You can even add it to your regular dog shampoo.

Another great option is to rub a teaspoon of coconut oil directly on the dog's coat. The oil acts as a great flea repellent.

Coconut oil also leaves your dog with a shiny healthy coat free of any body odor.

6. Free Your Dog Of Fleas Using Collars

The best thing about flea collars is that you can even make them yourself at home. For example, you can make the collar yourself using a bandana and apply some homemade flea treatment to it.

A few drops of lavender or cedar oil dipped in water can make a great flea solution that you can apply on the collar.

You can even soak the collar on a teaspoon of unflavored vodka, and after it dries, you can put it on your dog to kill the fleas.

7. Get Rid Of Fleas By Planting Flea Repellent Plants

This is a natural remedy that might work perfectly for you if you also like plants around your home. In addition to keeping the fleas away, these plants will also repel other insects.

Some of the plants you can use include lavender, chrysanthemums, penny royal, and spearmint.

8. Using Prescription Flea Medications

These days, there are medications that can make sure your dog is free from fleas. These medications work fast.

However, you should talk to the vet first to make sure you use the right drug and dosage for your beloved canine friend.

9. Killing Dog Fleas Using Foods And Drinks

Did you know you can get rid of fleas from your dog by making some adjustments to its diet? For instance, you can dilute vinegar of apple cider vinegar and add it to its drinking water.

Another way to get rid of the fleas from inside-out is to add some brewer's yeast to the dog's food. All it takes is just half a teaspoon of brewer's yeast mixed with regular dog food.

10. Keep The Fleas Away From Your Home Environment

One of the best ways to deal with fleas on your dog is to deal with the fleas that have already invaded your home.

If the fleas are already in your home, you might have to wash your beddings with hot, soapy water, vacuum the carpets and floors, apply environmental flea control compounds like methoprene, and treat your dog for fleas.

Before vacuuming, you can lay down some baking soda on the carpets and other surfaces. This compound is very good at killing fleas.

Diatomaceous earth, which is not toxic to humans, can also be used to kill fleas. However, you will have to leave this compound for two days before you can see the results.

See! It's Easy

It's stressful seeing your beloved canine suffering because of fleas. Fortunately, it doesn't take much effort to free it from this parasite if you know these quick natural remedies.

There are countless options at your disposal, including flea collars, pills, and liquid applicants, some of which we have already discussed above. You can also use flea shampoos or other chemical treatments on your dog every once in a while.

Of course, you can always call in professionals if you feel like the flea problem for your pet or home is more than you can handle.