The biggest problem with having a pet is that fleas can infest it and then invade your entire home. For this reason, in this post we will tell you how the vinegar for fleas, when the best is a natural remedy.
Natural flea prevention
If you are wondering how to get rid of fleas on dogs with a natural remedy, let us tell you the following:
A sudden infestation of fleas on your pet can become a real headache for its owner. All the more so when it is known that the next goal of colonization of the insufferable insects is the whole house.
But what to do? Especially when the use of chemical insecticides in our homes can represent discomfort and even some risk. Well, in these cases it is best to use a non-toxic repellent against these insects. In this sense, vinegar is one of the best alternatives.
But keep in mind that although it does not kill annoying insects, it has the property of repelling them. This is because fleas hate both its smell and its taste. So, when the vinegar comes into contact with these annoying bugs, it is normal for them to flee from the host, that is, from your beloved dog, who will surely thank you. Thus, both pet and owner can sleep peacefully.
At this point it is good that you know that there are two types of vinegar that are equally effective in combating fleas on dogs. These are the wine; either white or red wine and apple. Both fulfill the same function, since they share the same active agent, acetic acid. It is from this that the fleas really flee, because they cannot stand it.
It is also noteworthy that vinegar is also an excellent tick repellent. So it will help prevent these other dangerous insects, once all the fleas are expelled from your pet.
a simple mix
In addition, the use of this natural remedy as a preventive measure is very simple. It is enough to mix equal proportions with your dog's regular shampoo, to bathe it when appropriate.
Although there are those who mix it in equal parts with water and the results are not very different. In this case, this mixture is stored in a bottle with a spray bottle to spray the body of your pet, before applying it you must go outdoors. It is not superfluous to put a little of the mixture in the place where your dog sleeps.
But if you want to enhance the insecticidal property of the spray mixture, making it even more unbearable for fleas, add a few drops of essential oil. As you can see, this preparation is very simple and we believe it should respond well to your concern about how to get rid of fleas on dogs, although soon we will explain more about the subject.
But if what you need is to know How to remove fleas from a cat, keep in mind that both the mixture and the treatment can be different, but we will deal with that in another post.
What do I need to remove fleas from my dog with vinegar?
For this, the first thing is to get vinegar, which can be wine or apple, as we have already said. Then you will need the following:
- Warm water
- A bathtub to put the dog in
- Towel
- Lemon (not essential)
- A lice comb
Although it may surprise you, an anti-lice comb can be very useful. This at the time of removing the fleas that may remain after applying the homemade insecticide. It may not be very effective at removing nits, but it works well for fleas.
It is advisable to decide on one made especially for dogs, but if it is impossible, you can use the comb for people.
Steps to remove fleas with vinegar
When you have prepared everything, it is time to start the work of throwing or expelling fleas from your beloved pet with vinegar. If you do not have a bathtub as indicated in the list, you can supply it with a bucket or any other container of adequate size. Actually, the important thing is that your dog fits comfortably.
Now, depending on the level or severity of the infestation, you can use just vinegar if it's moderate, or mix it in equal parts with water if it's a milder case.
Similarly, to reinforce its antiparasitic property, you can add lemon juice. It turns out that this citrus is another of the most effective natural repellents against these animals.
Steps to follow
- Dilute the vinegar in warm water in advance (if it is a very light infestation).
- Pour the vinegar on your pet, or mix it with water if that is the case. The important thing is that you do it evenly throughout the body and preventing the liquid from entering the eyes and nose.
- Rub your entire body as a massage to spread the vinegar well and eliminate fleas. Almost immediately you will see how they flee, so do not forget to disinfect the entire house once you have finished with your dog's bath.
- If you consider it necessary, repeat the operation.
- Use the lice comb over your pet's entire body. With this you guarantee that no flea is hidden.
- Then you can bathe your dog the way you always do. Or you can simply remove the remains of the product with warm water. But if you choose to bathe him, it is recommended to use an anti-parasitic shampoo to prevent another infestation. Although you can also use the trick mentioned in the previous section.
- Dry the animal well with the towel.
Only in minor cases and emergencies
But despite this procedure, do not forget that if the infestation that your pet has is serious, it is possible that the vinegar will not be able to eliminate all of them.
In such a way that we recommend this remedy only in case of mild to moderate infestations. Although it is also used for first aid. This is for example, we rescued a street dog full of fleas and due to the time, there is no veterinarian available.
In this way it can act as an emergency home remedy, which will help reduce the number of these tiny animals, although it will not eliminate them completely. So it will be necessary to go to the vet the next day.
On the other hand, if you notice that some of the fleas are running around your house, clean every corner carefully.
Can vinegar be used for fleas in puppies?
Of course, vinegar can also be used to eliminate parasites in puppies, although it will be necessary to use it with caution.
It turns out that in dogs this young, precautions need to be meticulous. Above all, great care must be taken when applying the product to the puppy's face. Keep in mind that the liquid can never enter the eyes or nose.
You should also know that the strong smell of vinegar often causes sneezing if inhaled. But in addition, acetic acid will cause irritation in the puppy's eyes, if it gets into them.
Although in adult dogs the vinegar can be applied directly, in puppies it is advisable to dilute it in water.
In this case, the steps to follow to eliminate fleas in puppies with vinegar are the following:
- Dissolve a tablespoon of vinegar in 200 ml (a glass) of water. If you want, add a few drops of lemon juice.
- Moisten a clean cloth with the solution, then rub it over the puppy's body, not touching the eyes and nose.
- If you deem it necessary, repeat the operation, then use the anti-lice comb.
- Scoop out the vinegar with lukewarm water and dry the pup well.
- If you prefer, once the vinegar has been applied you can bathe it, using a special shampoo for puppies. But if this does not work, go to the pet doctor soon, because being such a young creature, no precaution is superfluous.
General recommendations
But there are other things that can help strengthen the effect of vinegar on fleas.
One of them is food. In such a way that you can give your dog balanced and appropriate food for his species, avoiding canned. This will help strengthen the immune system.
Also, keep in mind that fleas prefer hosts with poor health. In such a way that keeping your pet well fed will also make it healthy and thus less prone to attack by fleas.
It also helps to avoid tap water, as both fluoride and chlorine can harm your dog's health. It is also recommended to avoid stressors or suppressors of the immune system. These can be chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers.
Another important additional element is to prevent your home from being a pleasant environment for fleas. For this you must vacuum the interior regularly, especially floors and furniture. You should also include cleaning your dog's bedding. But if you suspect the presence of these bugs, immediately empty the vacuum bag once you've done the cleaning.
Now, when it comes to the outside of your house, you need to keep your yard clean. But especially do not forget to mow the lawn and remove the weeds from the places that your dog frequents. Finally, do not gather wood near your house.
Fleas are not pets
A few fleas can multiply in days into an infestation on your pet and in your home. This is quite delicate, because fleas bring diseases to people and nobody wants that in their house, with their children exposed.
Just as an example, a female flea can lay fifty eggs per day. They can come off your dog spreading throughout the house. They are little eggs that become larvae, to later form the capsules.
Already at this point the parasites are born when they feel the heat, the vibrations or even the carbon dioxide that reveals the proximity of an animal. Once out of the eggs, they jump towards the host and the cycle continues, multiplying more and more, as you can imagine.
But the bad part hasn't started yet. Now you should know that fleas feed on blood and their bite usually causes irritation and rashes on the skin.
Among the skin problems is flea allergy dermatitis, known as DAAP, caused by the saliva of fleas and not by their bite. It usually affects dogs causing itching.
In addition, these undesirable creatures can transmit tapeworms and the very common heart disease. cat scratch. But the most serious thing is that they can cause severe cases of anemia, especially in young animals. They are evils that can also affect people. This is how things are, it is necessary to keep both your dog and your home and family free of fleas.
Keep in mind that the fleas at home They will always be a danger to everyone's health.
Other natural remedies to remove fleas in dogs
But although this is one of the most effective remedies to eliminate fleas in our pets, it is not the only natural insecticide. In this way we list other remedies, hoping they can help give an effective response to your concern about how to get rid of fleas on dogs. Consider:
- Citrus like lemon or orange.
- Natural chamomile infusion.
- Beer yeast.
- Essential oils of lavender, rosemary and thyme.
Now, if what you are looking for is How to remove ticks, these remedies can also be very useful.