Safe Natural Flea Control for Dogs

A single flea can lay 30 to 50 eggs per day, within 48 hours of having its first meal of blood. Over her lifetime, the she will have laid more than 2,000 eggs, which can hatch and begin breeding within 48 hours. There are a wide range of commercial products that can be used to control fleas. However, these often have some unwanted side effects. Luckily, there are a number of safe, natural methods for controlling the spread of fleas.

Use a flea comb to comb through your dog's fur on a daily basis, particularly during the flea season. Combined with regular shampooing, this is an effective way to control fleas. Flea combs have tightly spaced teeth, to help comb out both fleas and flea eggs. They are available at pet stores and in the pet section of grocery stores.

Mix one part apple cider vinegar (ACV) with one part water in a spray bottle. Spray this on your dog's fur as a natural flea repellent. The acidic content in the apple cider vinegar creates an uninhabitable living environment that repels the fleas.

Thoroughly vacuum the surfaces where fleas and flea eggs might be found at least twice a week. Dispose of the vacuum bag far away from your home. You can also sprinkle borax or boric acid on your carpet, leave it overnight and then vacuum thoroughly. Sprinkle some borax into the nooks and crannies that you cannot reach.

Wash your dog's bedding on a regular basis, using hot, soapy water. Dry the dog bedding at the high heat setting on your clothes dryer. If the bedding cannot be washed, then vacuum it thoroughly and regularly. Thoroughly vacuum all the surfaces.

Providing a proper, healthy diet minimizes your dog's vulnerability to a flea infestation. Nutritional supplements can also be given to further boost their immune system.

Feed your dog with raw garlic. Including garlic in your dog's diet causes the dog to emit odors that tend to repel fleas.

Add some Brewer's yeast tablets to your dog's food. Once assimilated into the dog's bloodstream, it is excreted through the skin, which serves to repel fleas and prevent infestation. The proper dosage varies based on your dog's weight, so check with your vet before giving this flea remedy to your dog.