Are fleas dangerous to pets?

If you have a pet, you're bound to face a flea infestation at some point. It's normal, but remember: Fleas are blood-sucking parasites. A flea infestation on your pet can lead to more serious health risks than just intense itching, such as flea allergy dermatitis, anemia, or flea-borne diseases like murine typhus.

How long does it take to get rid of fleas?

How long it takes to get rid of fleas depends largely on the severity of the infestation. Intensive treatment could get rid of a mild infestation within a couple days while extreme cases could take months. You must tackle the fleas that are within the home, not just the mature ones on your pet. This requires thorough cleaning of carpets, bedding, furniture, and more.

How do you know if your pet has fleas?

Signs that your pet has fleas include itching, flea "dirt" that looks like tiny black dots in your pet's fur, and bumpy or red skin. You might not be able to even see the fleas until the infestation has become serious.

How often should you check your pet for fleas?

Mild flea infestations are tough to detect; your pet might not even react to them. Still, fleas are not healthy, so you should actively search for signs of them on your pet monthly.

9 Natural Home Remedies for Fleas

Sadly for pet owners, fleas are not only a summer problem. The pesky parasites are active year-round so long as they have somewhere warm, like your pet's skin, to live. Common flea prevention methods include special collars, shampoos, dips, sprays, and medications, but you can supplement those with natural remedies.

Many vets recommend administering natural remedies alongside (not instead of) more traditional preventatives. Flea prevention and treatment are important because the blood-sucking insects can carry life-threatening diseases like heartworm, Lyme disease, and tapeworms.

Here are nine natural home remedies for fleas available for cats and dogs. Always check with your vet before trying a new remedy for your pet.

Warning

Avoid using essential oils as a flea remedy. Research about the efficacy of essential oils is limited and, according to the ASPCA, essential oils should not be used on pets unless specifically approved by a veterinarian.

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Apple Cider Vinegar

Health food proponents have long touted the diverse benefits of apple cider vinegar, and not just for humans. It's said to repel fleas because they dislike its pungent smell and taste. This method will not kill fleas, the nonprofit veterinary organization Anicira says, but spritzing a mixture of equal parts water and apple cider vinegar may help prevent fleas.

Apple cider vinegar contains about 5% acetic acid, an antiseptic. A spritz of this or a wet comb through your pet's coat will relieve itchiness. When taken orally, it may also help balance a dog's pH as apple cider vinegar is alkaline and dog food is notoriously acidic. Talk to your vet before treating your pet with apple cider vinegar.

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Baking Soda

Baking soda is often cited as a natural flea remedy. However, research has shown that it is not toxic to flea larvae. That said, baking soda is safe to use on a pet's coat (it's great for neutralizing odors) and can be either mixed with water to form a paste or added to its regular shampoo during a bath.

For flea prevention, Anicira recommends mixing baking soda with water and putting it in a dish near light, out of your pet's reach. Fleas are attracted to light, so they jump into the dish and drown.

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Brewer's Yeast

Brewer's yeast is made from a fungus used for fermentation in beer. As a nutritional supplement, it increases energy levels and promotes healthy skin, hair, and eyes. Brewer's yeast can boost your pet's immune system, which in turn can help stave off fleas and other parasites. However, studies dispute its efficacy in directly repelling or killing fleas.

Powdered brewer's yeast can be given to pets orally. Talk to your vet about the dosage for your pet.

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Rosemary Flea Dip

hands cut off rosemary spears with scissors — Treehugger / Sanja Kostic

Chemical flea dips can be very caustic. You can make a less abrasive version by spiking the water with fresh rosemary at home. Rosemary is a proven flea (and spider and cockroach) repellent.

To make a natural flea dip, start by steeping two cups of fresh rosemary in boiling water for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid, throw away the remaining leaves, and add up to a gallon of warm water (depending on the size of your pup). Wait until the brew cools, but is still warm enough to be comfortable. Pour it over your dog or cat, soaking its coat, and let it dry naturally.

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Lemon Spray Repellent

overhead shot of lemons and lemons cut with glass spray bottle — Treehugger / Sanja Kostic

Dr. Ashley Geoghegan of the veterinary practice VetNaturally recommends making a spray with fresh lemons to use as another natural flea repellent. While the citrus hasn't been proven to kill fleas, its scent does seem to drive them away.

First, cut a lemon into quarters and cover the fruit with boiling water for up to ten minutes. Then, let the mixture steep overnight. You can even add rosemary leaves to the mixture for good measure. The following day, pour the liquid into a spray bottle, taking care to strain the lemon bits out of the liquid first. Spray the lemon water on your pet, making sure not to get it in the eyes. Try to target the spray behind the ears, around the base of its tail and its neck, where fleas are known to hide.

If your pet won't tolerate spray, you can rub the juice from a freshly squeezed lemon or orange on your dog or cat's fur. Make sure to use fresh citrus and not citrus essential oil, which can be dangerous to pets.

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Neem Oil

This all-natural insect repellent comes from a tree native to India, Sri Lanka, and Burma. It's often used to repel biting insects such as fleas and mosquitoes, but there's little proof that it wards off ticks. Neem oil is safe to use on dogs and is, in fact, used in some pet shampoos. If your pup's shampoo doesn't include neem oil, add a few drops or dilute it with dishwashing liquid for a do-it-yourself flea spray.

Warning

Some cats are more sensitive to neem oil than others. After applying, look out for any adverse reactions, such as excessive salivation. If you see any, stop using the oil immediately and contact your vet.

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Nematodes

Nematode under microscope — NNehring / Getty Images

Nematodes are microscopic, worm-like parasites that are not dangerous to humans or pets. Some kinds, like the Steinernema carpocapsae, destroy flea larvae by parasitizing them. They can be purchased from garden stores, mixed with water, and sprayed around your yard to stave off pests. That said, this home remedy flea treatment won't help with an infestation in your house.

Nematodes thrive in sandy soils, and may not do well in other soil compositions. They need moisture regularly, so you should water your lawn every couple of days to ensure their survival.

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Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains lauric acid. When this comes into contact with fleas, it coats their exoskeleton with oil and makes them incapable of moving. You can give coconut oil to your pet orally (1 teaspoon per 20 pounds of body weight mixed into their food or given as a treat) or rub it into their coat, which provides shine and moisture.

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Natural Soap

soaping the dog — Daniel de Andres Jimenez / Getty Images

Swap out the regular pet shampoo and try bathing your dog or cat with a bar of natural soap with peppermint or rosemary—both scents fleas dislike.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are fleas dangerous to pets?

If you have a pet, you're bound to face a flea infestation at some point. It's normal, but remember: Fleas are blood-sucking parasites. A flea infestation on your pet can lead to more serious health risks than just intense itching, such as flea allergy dermatitis, anemia, or flea-borne diseases like murine typhus.
How long does it take to get rid of fleas?

How long it takes to get rid of fleas depends largely on the severity of the infestation. Intensive treatment could get rid of a mild infestation within a couple days while extreme cases could take months. You must tackle the fleas that are within the home, not just the mature ones on your pet. This requires thorough cleaning of carpets, bedding, furniture, and more.
How do you know if your pet has fleas?

Signs that your pet has fleas include itching, flea "dirt" that looks like tiny black dots in your pet's fur, and bumpy or red skin. You might not be able to even see the fleas until the infestation has become serious.
How often should you check your pet for fleas?

Mild flea infestations are tough to detect; your pet might not even react to them. Still, fleas are not healthy, so you should actively search for signs of them on your pet monthly.

Why Pets Matter to Treehugger

At Treehugger, we are advocates of animal welfare, including our pets and other domestic animals. The better we understand our dogs and cats, the better we can support and protect their wellbeing. We hope our readers will adopt rescue pets instead of shopping from breeders or pet stores, and will also consider supporting local animal shelters.