There is a wide range of very effective flea shampoos for dogs on the market. However, these chemical shampoos have certain degrees of toxicity to our pets and ourselves.
The insect repellent shampoos based on natural products that we will propose in this article are as effective as the commercial ones, but cheaper, minimally toxic and biodegradable. The only drawback is that they take time to prepare and cannot be kept for as many days as chemical shampoos. If you continue reading our site you will learn how to make wonderful homemade flea shampoos for dogs
Baking soda base shampoo for dogs
We will prepare a base shampoo made up of baking soda and water The composition will be: 250 grams of baking soda dissolved in 1 liter of water. We will store the mixture in a tightly closed bottle. Every time we bathe the dog we will put the shampoo that we are going to use in a cup or other container. This shampoo does not cause foam, but it is very bactericidal Baking soda has great hygienic and bactericidal properties. Its use in toothpaste and as a refrigerator cleaner is well known, as it acts as a deodorant and is harmless.
Various insecticide materials based on essential oils or other natural insecticide products can be added to this base shampoo. Such products can also be added to the hair conditioner, rather than mixed with the shampoo, in which case they should not be added to the shampoo. If it is carried out in this second way, the concentration of the natural insecticide will be more intense.
Once the bicarbonate shampoo has been applied by massaging the epidermis of our dog with the bicarbonate solution, let it act for a couple of minutes and rinse with water, and then apply the hair conditioner.
The insecticide agent can be applied in the shampoo, or through the conditioner. If it is done the second way, the effects will be more powerful.
Basic hair conditioner for dogs
The hair conditioner for dogs is an emulsified mixture of one tablespoon of cider vinegar and one teaspoon of olive oil. Both products mixed and emulsified in the equivalent of a cup of water. After applying the conditioner we may or may not lighten our dog's hair. The clarification will depend on the texture and length of our dog's hair. In this way, short and coarse-haired dogs can be left unlightened. While medium-haired dogs should be lightly rinsed. Long-haired dogs should be rinsed well and dried completely.
Next we will describe how to produce completely natural insecticides.
Pyrethrum Flower
The pyrethrum flower, Tanacetum cinerariifolium, produces the most powerful insect repellents among natural products. It can be found in some herbal shops as a dried flower, oleoresin or essential oil. The pyrethrum flower is like a brightly colored daisy.
The pyrethrum flower contains pyrethrins, a product used to produce industrial insecticides, although these pyrethrins are synthetic and piperonyl butoxide is added. Pyrethrins attack the nervous system of all insects. For this reason they prevent insects from biting the bodies treated with pyrethrins. Pyrethrins are biodegradable, even photo-biodegradable, which requires us to add the lotion or essential oil just before use. Pyrethrins are harmful to fish, but practically harmless to mammals and birds.
To prepare a ground pyrethrum flower-based lotion do the following: a heaping tablespoon of pyrethrum flower powder mixed with a cup of water. We can add this lotion to the base shampoo or to the conditioner.
If we use pyrethrum essential oil, much more powerful than the dried flower, we will prepare the lotion as follows: three drops of pyrethrum oil dissolved in 3 tablespoons of 96º pharmaceutical alcohol, and then add this mixture to a glass of distilled water. We will emulsify the mixture well and we will be able to use it in the shampoo or in the conditioner to achieve a powerful anti-flea homemade.
Tea tree
An essential oil is extracted from the tea tree that is very effective as a flea repellent We can prepare the following lotion with it: a dessert spoon of essential oil, three soup spoons of distilled water and two cups of coffee of pharmaceutical alcohol of 96º. You have to stir very well so that everything is mixed homogeneously.
With this lotion we will rub the whole body of our dog, except the eyes and the genitals. We will massage so that the product spreads well throughout the body and the epidermis of our pet.
If we want to use the essential oil of tea tree added to our base shampoo in order to create a homemade anti-flea shampoo, we will proceed in the following way: we will add a tablespoon of essential oil to a bowl of base shampoo, or a dessert spoon of essential oil to a glass of water. We will add this last minor mixture to the conditioner.
Lavender essential oil
Lavender essential oil is not as effective as tea tree essential oil, but its aroma is much more pleasant It can be used as a protective lotion, using the same measures as in the previous point. Distributing the lotion with a cotton pad from the employees to remove makeup. We should not treat the eyes or the genitals with this lotion.
If we want to use it in the base shampoo, or in the hair conditioner, we will proceed in the same way and proportions as with the essential oil of the tea tree.
Recommendations for applying the flea shampoo
If you plan to use homemade flea shampoo as a prevention method, keep in mind that although they are natural products that are not harmful to dogs, yes they can damage their skin and develop dryness if you use them every time you bathe them. Thus, it is recommended to use these products to prevent the appearance of fleas in dogs during the hottest seasons, since although they act throughout the year, it is in summer when the parasite multiplies. For the rest of the year, we advise you to consult other natural products to bathe your dog.
If you want to use it to eliminate the fleas that already inhabit your dog, remember to apply the topical treatment stipulated by the veterinarian after bathing. Learn more about how to get rid of fleas on dogs in this article.
