How To Get Rid Of Dog Fleas

If you have a dog then you’ve probably experienced a flea problem and at some point you really wanted to know just how to get rid of fleas permanently.  

These critters spread disease and they aren’t too particular about who they feed on.  Obviously your dog is the first choice but check out your ankles and the ankles of your kids.  Fleas will hook a ride on anything, animal or human, that comes along.  They can infest your rugs, furniture and even your lawn.  Getting rid of fleas takes more than just getting them off Fido. 

So what’s the best way to rid your dog of fleas and make your home flea free?  Well that depends on your preferences.   

Topical Chemical Flea Prevention 

If you don’t object to putting chemicals on your dog then the topical applications like Frontline are the fastest and most effective way to kill fleas.  However, Frontline comes in two brands, Top Spot and Frontline Plus and there is one huge difference between the two.  Both will start killing fleas immediately but only Frontline Plus will kill flea eggs and larva as well.   

Fleas love to propagate.  Fleas make rabbits look like Puritans.  Fleas generate a ton of eggs and those eggs eventually become fleas and those fleas love to propagate and …well you get the idea.  Using the Frontline Plus ends the flea cycle by killing off the eggs and larva.  It’s a bit pricier than Frontline Top Spot but for total flea control it’s the best bet. 

Flea Shampoo 

Still the most popular way to control fleas, flea shampoos can be a two edged sword.  For starters, the shampoo will only kill adult fleas and they will only do that if you follow the instructions and leave the dog lathered up for at least 5 minutes.  Five minutes of staring at a soapy dog can be pretty boring for a human and it’s not a lot of fun for Fido either. 

It’s also important to know where to start.  Once fleas come in contact with the soap they will literally “head for the hills” and with your dog that means his neck and head.  So the first part of his body that you wash should be that high ground.  Then work your way down the back and to the butt.   

“High ground” can be a relative term so if you’re a flea living on a dog’s leg you’ll head for the “armpits.”  Make sure those areas are lathered up. 

The down side of flea shampoos is that they only last 4 to 6 days which means weekly bathing.  Over bathing your dog with a chemical shampoo can strip away the natural skin oils and create a dry skin or hot spot condition.   

Natural Flea Repellents   

Repellents do just that, they repel fleas they don’t kill them.  The upside to repellents is that they can be made from natural ingredients so you don’t have to expose your dog to chemicals.   

Health Food Natural Flea Repellent 

Go to a health food store and get some eucalyptus, rosemary, fennel and yellow dock.  Mix them in a bowl using equal parts of each.  Use an old spice jar or Parmesan cheese container as the applicator and fill it with the mixture.

Now this is important.  Take the dog outside before you apply this mixture.  This is a repellent; it does not kill the fleas.  When they come into contact with the stuff they will immediately abandon ship.  You want them doing that outside not in your house.

Sprinkle the mixture on your dog and work in down to the skin using a comb or your hands.  If the dog has a collar take it off and make sure you get plenty on his neck.  Also pay attention to his butt, belly and ears.  He ought to be flea free within 30 minutes of the treatment.

Lemon Tea Natural Flea Repellent

This is quicker to make and less expensive but it doesn’t last as long.  There is an enzyme in the lemon peel that fleas find particularly distasteful.  The best way to get that enzyme on your dog is to whip up a batch of lemon tea.

·        Take four lemons, chunk them up and add to two pints of boiling water.

·        Boil for five minutes and then simmer for twenty more.  Let cool.

·        Strain the water into another pan and discard the lemon chunks.

·        Pour the lemon tea into a clean plastic spray bottle.

·        Spray Fido down and work the tea into his coat.

Your dog will become flea free and have that fresh lemon scent.

So that’s how you get rid of fleas on Fido.  But guess what?  The fleas on your dog only makeup 10% of the fleas in your home.  The other 90%  (mostly in the form of eggs or larva) are in your carpets, furniture, bedding and your yard.  You need to kill off these buggers or you will have a continuing problem with flea infestation.

To learn how to get rid of fleas in your carpet, click here.

To learn your options for killing fleas in your yard, click here

 More Flea Info