12 Natural Ways to Kick Fleas and Stop Your Dog Itching

It’s summertime, which means you need to look out for fleas on your dog. Fleas are tiny, but can become a big problem if left unchecked. If your dog is itching themselves raw, consult your veterinarian or Vancouver veterinary hospital for advice. However, it usually doesn’t get to that point, and here are 10 ways you can nip the problem in the bud and make your furry friend feel better.

Washing

Let’s start off simple: up how often you wash your bedding, rugs, curtains, pillows, and any dog beds and blankets. These materials are ideal for fleas to hide in, so if you think you have a flea problem, the regular wash schedule won’t cut it. Wash everything at a high temperature – above 50 degrees Celsius. Your dog’s bed especially will need washing more frequently at this time of year.

Vacuum

If you have a fur baby, you probably vacuum all the time. Dogs shed a lot of hair, especially in summer and even more so if they’re scratching or biting themselves. Try to vacuum your dog’s preferred spots in the home each day in the summer so that you can get rid of flea eggs unseen in your carpet. Seal and change the vacuum bags often and don’t forget to clean underneath furniture.

Vitamin E

A liquid vitamin E solution is an effective flea treatment for dogs. Spreading the solution over their body will ease your dog’s discomfort. Concentrate most on inflamed areas your pooch is itching and biting. You may have to apply it more than once a day as it’s tough to deter a dog from licking it off.

Lemon Spray

You can use a lemon spray to clear fleas out of your furniture and dog beds. Boil up a pint of water with sliced lemon, remove it from the heat and leave overnight. The following day pour the solution into a bottle and lightly spray dog beds, sofas and chairs – anywhere affected by the fleas.

Flea Repelling Plants

Some plants contain oils, chemicals and compounds which are great for flea prevention. These are certainly a more palatable addition to your home than a bug bomb. Even growing them in the garden can keep your home flea-free. These dog friendly plants include:

• Rosemary
• Sage
• Mint
• Lavender
• Lemon Grass
• Citronella
• Chamomile

Dish Soap

You’ll usually notice fleas most in one room when the problem starts. Mix up a bowl of water and dish soap and place it in the centre of the room overnight. The fleas should be attracted to the mix, hop in and be unable to swim out due to the viscosity of the liquid. Replace the bowl over several nights for the best results.

Bathing

Bathing your dog is a simple and effective flea treatment. Bathing will help to ease their itching if you get a shampoo which targets the problem. Oatmeal baths can also help as they do with humans. Remember, the thinner the oatmeal, the easier it will be to quickly coat a moving dog.

Tea

Cooled Chamomile or herbal tea can ease inflammation on your dog’s paws due to flea bites. If your pooch is biting their paws often due to itching, bathe or spray them with cooled tea to make them feel better.

Salt

We know how dehydrating a lot of salt can be. Despite their size, it has the same effect on fleas, although it takes some time to work. If you cover your carpets in salt for 10-12 hours, when you vacuum it up the next day, it should take a lot of dead fleas and eggs with it.

Brushing

Brushing your dog’s fur is a clear way to get rid of fleas and eggs. The feeling of the brush will also scratch that itch that’s driving them to chase their tail. If lots of hair collects on the brush, remove the hair and dispose of it outdoors or in a sealed bin to be extra vigilant.

Baking Soda

Rubbing baking soda into your carpets with a firm brush is another way to clear hidden fleas. Once it’s set for a little while, vacuum it all up and dispose of the contents in a sealed bag.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is another natural alternative to veterinary medications. Rubbing coconut oil through your dog’s fur will help to repel fleas and give them a shiny coat as a bonus.