DIY Natural Flea Repellent For Dogs

If you currently have dogs, I am willing to bet that you’ve had to deal with fleas before. Not only are the commercial treatments for dogs toxic, but they are also extremely expensive.

By making your own DIY Natural Flea Repellent you can protect your dog and your wallet.

bloodhound
a bloodhound dog

Here is where I state my disclaimer; herbs and natural remedies do not work in the same manner as commercial products. I often remind myself of this.

Far too many people have claimed that natural approaches they’ve tried did not work, so they reverted back to the commercial brand they were using without first researching why it did not work for them.

We are programmed by the commercial industry to rely on instant satisfaction and instant results. In the natural world, instant isn’t quite as common.

Ridding your home or pet of fleas is a multi-step process. The things you need to factor in are your animal’s health, your home, your yard, and preventative care.

I know it would be easier if I just told you about this “magic all-natural flea repellent spray” that you could apply once and it would rid the world of fleas (boy, I would be a gazillionaire), but unfortunately, there is no such thing when it comes to taking a holistic approach.

Diligence is your true magic spray.

Why Make Your Own Natural Flea Repellent?

Fleas are nasty little buggers that bring a multitude of problems.  It is our job as caretakers to do the best we can to protect those whose health we are entrusted with. This means keeping fleas at bay.

The Danger of Fleas

  • Flea bites itch and cause discomfort
  • Pets can be allergic to fleas and develop skin issues
  • They drink your pets blood and can lead to anemia. (- I personally have witnessed dogs in my lifetime become so sick to the point of near death due to the cause of fleas.)
  • Fleas carry tapeworms and when your pet licks themselves, they can possibly ingest the fleas and get parasites. *our two puppies got tapeworms twice last year from this.

Commercial Flea Medicine Can Be Toxic To Dogs

If you choose to use flea medicine from your vet or local store, that is entirely your decision and will personally receive no judgement from me. I used to use it for years on many of my furry family members.

However, I firmly believe that using the flea medicines I received from my vet played a massive role in the declining health and death of my dog so I no longer use it. It is a matter of personal choice.

There have been an increasing number of reports of illness, ranging from being off color to twitching, hives, excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, convulsions, seizures and death. Read the CDC report here.

If you research the ingredients in flea medicine and what they are designed to do, I am sure you will agree that there has to be some sort of a negative impact on our dogs due to the cause of it.

DIY All-Natural Flea Repellent

Our all-natural flea-repellent powder works against fleas by dehydrating them interferes with their hormonal system making it harder to lay eggs, and repels them.

This is one of the best home remedies to get rid of fleas on your dog. Some important things to remember with this natural flea repellent:

  • This repellent is a powder so please handle caution when applying it.
  • Always make sure to use in a well-ventilated area.
  • Keep away from your pet’s nose and mouth when applying.
  • Do not inhale the powder.
  • Apply the powder dry and make sure there is no draft or wind.

Ingredients for natural flea repellent

  • 1/2 Cup of Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth
  • 1/4 Cup Powdered Yarrow
  • 1/4 Cup Neem Powder
  • 10 Drops Cedar Essential Oil

Directions to make your natural flea repellent

  1. Place all ingredients in a sealed jar and shake until well blended.
  2. Keep in a sealed container until needed.
  3. Shake powder in hand and apply liberally from the shoulder to the tail and from the chest to the groin.
  4. The container I use is a pint mason jar with a parmesan cheese lid. This recipe should last you for several applications.

The Key To A Flea-Free Dog

One of the most significant discoveries in the flea battle is that there is a direct correlation between a pet’s health and its ability to resist fleas.

Healthy dogs seem to have the ability to repel flea infestation. Vets of dogs on natural diets have noticed a decrease in flea activity. Be sure to pin this for later, too!

Amber Bradshaw

This is a guest post by Amber Bradshaw of My Homestead Life. Amber is an environmentalist, homesteader, garden and outdoor enthusiast. She is a wife, mother of three. Amber owns a contracting business with her husband, was President of the local Herb Society for the last three years, a 4-H Leader, Blogger and runs a CSA. Amber strives to get back into nature with a more sustainable and self-reliant lifestyle that fits a busy schedule and a tight budget. She lives on the east coast with her family on a little over 1/4 acre and encourages others to do big things with small spaces. 

When not out in the garden you can find her sharing her latest homestead tips at My Homestead Life, on Facebook, on Pinterest or Instagram.

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