Vinegar is effective at killing fleas on dogs with mild to moderate infestations. When the infestation is very serious, the quickest and most efficient thing to do is go to the vet to apply the most suitable antiparasitic product. And if the problem is that we do not have access to a specialist for whatever reason, we can apply the remedy to reduce the number of fleas, and repeat it until they are all gone. However, we insist that this product may not be a guarantee of success if the animal has a very high number of fleas, so we recommend visiting a specialist. Read on and discover in this article on our site how to get rid of fleas on dogs with vinegar
Is vinegar good for fleas on dogs?
Yes, vinegar is a very effective product to eliminate fleas in dogs. This is so due to the acetic acid that composes it, since this substance is responsible for providing the sour taste to vinegar, which fleas deeply hate along with his smell. In this way, when coming into direct contact with the product, the most common thing is that they flee from the host. But what types of vinegar are most effective for fleas on dogs? The wine vinegar (white or red) and the apple vinegar
It should be noted that vinegar is also a good tick repellent in dogs, as well as an excellent preventive once all the fleas have been eliminated. To use this product as a prevention method, simply mix it with the dog's usual shampoo (in equal parts) and bathe the animal when it touches.
What do I need to remove fleas from my dog with vinegar?
To eliminate your dog's fleas with vinegar, the first thing you should get is wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Once this is done, you will need:
- Warm water
- A container to put the dog in (or bathtub)
- A towel
- Lemon (optional)
- A lice brush
A lice comb? Yes, it is very effective in removing fleas that may remain after applying the home remedy. While it is true that it is not so good for removing nits, it does work for fleas. We recommend opting for one specially designed for dogs, but if you don't have one or can't find one, you can use the human comb.
Steps to follow to eliminate fleas in dogs with vinegar
Once you have everything ready, the time has come to proceed to eliminate your dog's fleas with vinegar. If you don't have a bathtub at home, you can get a basin or container large enough to put the animal in without it being uncomfortable. On the other hand, you can use only vinegar, if the infestation is moderate or severe, or dilute it in water in equal parts if the infestation is milder. Likewise, to enhance its antiparasitic effect you have the possibility of adding the juice of a lemon, since this citrus fruit is another of the most effective natural repellents against fleas.
The steps to follow are those:
- Dilute the vinegar in warm water in advance if you choose this option
- Pour the vinegar over the dog's body, or mix it with water, making sure that the product does not penetrateneither in the eyes nor in the nose.
- Massage all over his body to distribute the vinegar and eliminate fleas. You will see how they flee or fall, so remember to disinfect the entire home when you have finished this process.
- Repeat the operation if necessary.
- Run the lice comb all over his body to make sure there are no fleas left, or to remove any that may still be.
- Now you can bathe the dog as usual, or remove the remains of the product with warm water. If you want to bathe it, we recommend using an antiparasitic shampoo to prevent another infestation, or use the trick mentioned in the previous section.
- Dry the dog well with the towel.
Keep in mind that if your dog's flea infestation is severe, vinegar may not kill them all. Therefore, we recommend this remedy for mild, moderate infestations or first aid, since it may happen that we have just rescued an abandoned dog full of fleas and, due to the time, there is no veterinarian available. Thus, vinegar can be a home emergency remedy that will reduce the number of fleas, but will not eliminate them entirely, 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 run away and run around the home, disinfect every corner thoroughly. To carry out this task, you can consult the following article on "How to eliminate fleas from our home".
Is vinegar good for fleas and puppies?
Yes, vinegar is also useful for eliminating fleas on puppies as long as it is applied very carefully. In such young dogs, precautions must be taken even more, so great care must be taken when applying the product to the animal's face, since under no circumstances should it enter the eyes or nose. The strong odor of vinegar can induce sneezing when inhaled, and its composition eye irritation if of coming into direct contact with the eyes.
Although in adult dogs we can apply the vinegar directly, in puppies it is advisable to dilute the product in water. In this way, the steps to follow to eliminate fleas in puppies with vinegar are:
- Dilute a tablespoon of vinegar in a glass of water (200 ml). You can add a few drops of lemon juice.
- Take a clean cloth, moisten it with the solution and wipe it over the puppy's body, avoiding the eyes and nose.
- Repeat the operation if necessary and use the lice comb.
- Remove the product with warm water and dry it well.
If you want, after applying the vinegar to eliminate fleas on puppies, you can bathe the little one with a special shampoo for him. And if it doesn't work, go to the vet, since being so small all precaution is little.
Other natural remedies to remove fleas in dogs
Despite being one of the best remedies to eliminate fleas in dogs, vinegar is not the only homemade repellent. Other remedieseffective against fleas are:
- Citrus like lemon or orange.
- Natural chamomile infusion.
- Beer yeast.
- Essential oils of lavender, rosemary and thyme.
You will find all the information about its applications in the article on "Home remedies for fleas in dogs", don't miss it!
