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Fleas are undoubtedly one of the worst nightmares for pet owners. They invade our beloved animals causing discomfort and damaging their health.

Dealing with such infestations is an equally challenging task. You are forced to use pharmaceutical sprays and medication that sometimes do not fully eliminate the fleas from your household.

At the same time, these treatments often come with an array of side effects which may cause significant harm to your pet. Though not known by many, there are simple home remedies to get fleas off dogs and cats.

Home remedies for fleas on cats and dogs





There are a lot of challenges that come with the use of pharmaceutical techniques for treating flea infestations. They are costly, not fully effective due to resistance, and at times have adverse effects that end up doing more harm than the fleas themselves.

Home remedies to get fleas off dogs and cats offer you a natural and safe way of treating flea infestations. They are also very cheap, and easy to carry out as they involve the use of common items found in homesteads. 

Below is a compilation of some of the home remedies for fleas on cats and dogs:


1. Baking soda


 This is one of the common household items that kill fleas. As you know, fleas require a high level of humidity in order to thrive. Baking soda is a very deliquescent product. 

It readily absorbs all the moisture from its environs, leaving the air around it dry. Sprinkling a small amount of this substance in areas of infestation dehydrates its air and makes it unconducive for flea survival. This is why baking soda kills adult fleas, its eggs, and some of its larvae.


This is a method that is quite easy to use. For starters, baking soda is very cheap and readily available in most kitchen ingredients. Take the fine powder and sprinkle it on your carpet and areas where your pet hangs around or sleeps. 

Adding salt to it may enhance the absorption of moisture. Let it stay for one or two days, then thoroughly vacuum the place. Expect to see a lot of fleas, and tiny eggs and larvae when emptying your vacuum dirt.


Watch this Video on How to get rid of fleas in your house fast with baking soda:


2. Apple cider vinegar oil





 This is an essential oil that is a common kitchen ingredient. It doubles as one of the effective flea eradication home remedies. It possesses a good number of anti-flea properties.

 First, the oil is acidic in nature. When applied to your pet's skin, it alters the pH of its surface, making it inhabitable for fleas. This causes most of them to flee, and the few that remain die off. Second, its scent is intolerable to fleas.

This makes your pet repellant to fleas, thus protecting it from invasion.

There are two ways of administering this treatment. You can apply the oil directly on your dog or cat's skin. This is recommended for pets that are already infested. 

The other technique involves adding a few drops of apple cider vinegar oil to your pet's drinking water. This will take some time before taking full effect, but will eventually protect your pet from fleas.

It is, therefore, one of the few home remedies for cats and dogs that guarantees long-term protection against infestation.







3. Lemon juice
We take it as a fruit, use it for common ailments such as flues, and even use it for facial treatments. However, very few people are aware that lemons are some of the most powerful insect repellants.

 A few drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice are strong enough to eliminate fleas from your dog. Apart from its acidity, it contains several compounds that are toxic to adult flea.

 Its juice additionally has anti-inflammatory properties that aid in the healing of bite wounds.


To use this method, you will need several fresh lemons, depending on the size of your pet. You can either freshly squeeze them onto your pet's fur, or make a solution of the juice and use it as a spray. 


Additionally, you can sprinkle a few drops on your carpet and areas where your pet sleeps. This way you will also eliminate those fleas residing in your house.


4. Garlic 




 Garlic is an ingredient that has been used for ages in the treatment of common ailments.

Some people even claim it possesses supernatural properties that can repel vampires and werewolves. Though we cannot certainly confirm its magical properties, we are sure of its effectiveness against fleas.

 It is one of the few home remedies to get fleas off dogs and cats that is directly fed to the pet. It contains compounds with antibiotic, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties. 

When ingested, they distribute themselves to all body tissues including the skin. This kills all the fleas on it.
Administering this remedy is quite easy. 

Add freshly chopped garlic to your dog's feed. Optionally, you can add garlic in your dog's drinking water. A common question is whether your pet will be comfortable with its smell and taste. Most dogs comfortably consume the garlic. 

The challenge comes in cats, as some find the smell repulsive. It is therefore not one of the best home remedies for fleas on cats. Another point to note is that this treatment takes a while to take full effect. 


It, therefore, requires you to start feeding garlic to your dog about a month before the beginning of flea season.

5. Homemade flea trap to get rid of fleas


You may have seen your grandparents or parents using this trap. It involves the use of water, soap, and a light source to attract fleas. 

It is quite simple: fill a bowl with warm water, and add a good amount of soap to it. 

Place the bowl in an area where fleas tend to be found, and light a candle or any other light source next to it, or right in the middle of the bowl. It will draw and trap fleas.


This trap exploits the behavior of fleas. in pure darkness, they are drawn to light, as lit areas are commonly inhabited by potential hosts. They will, therefore, be drawn to the candlelight. Secondly, they will sense the heat of the bowl and hop onto it, and end up getting stuck in the water. 

It is one of the oldest home remedies for flea on cats and dogs and is still effective to date.

 Watch this Video "Homemade Natural Flea Trap - Easy and Safe Flea Killer DIY"






Controlling fleas in your household, and outdoor spaces


The above remedies will aid in eliminating fleas from your pet. This, however, does not attain full extermination. 

You need to deal with the fleas residing in your floor, carpets, outdoor grasses and moist soil beds. 

There are additional home remedies to get rid of fleas from your environment. 




These treatments also target flea eggs and larvae, thus achieving all rounded elimination.


The best home remedy for fleas is the use of nature's forces to get rid of them. This is best achieved by growing plants and keeping animals that repel fleas.

Below are some biological methods of controlling fleas in your home:

- Diatomaceous earth:


 This is a product of aquatic algae. It comes in powder form. It is very toxic to adult fleas, their eggs, and larvae. Sprinkling this powder in your yard and flower beds will keep fleas away from your compound.


- Nematodes: 


There are several species of worms that directly feed on fleas, their eggs, and larvae. Introducing these worms to your outdoor spaces will tame the flea menace.

- Flea repellant plants:


 Some plants produce compounds and scents that are either toxic or very repulsive to fleas. Examples include mint, rosemary, basil, catnip, and lemongrass. Growing these in your yard or even in pots around your home will keep fleas off your outdoor spaces.


In conclusion, there are plenty of ways to deal with fleas.

You do not necessarily have to go for pharmaceutical treatments in order to control fleas in your home.

There are home remedies for fleas on cats and dogs that are equally effective in getting the job done. 

The above list contains some of the most effective remedies that are readily available in our homes, and are easy to use. 

Go ahead and try one of them, trust me, the results won't disappoint.