How to Organically Get Rid of Flea Eggs on a Puppy

Puppies are often tormented by fleas.

Fleas are a nuisance that frustrate pets and people equally. A single flea can lay up to 20 eggs at a time and may deposit as many as 400 eggs during her lifetime. Unfortunately most flea control products sold commercially can be harmful to pets and humans. According to the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association’s newsletter, more than 44,000 potential adverse reactions to spot-on flea and tick products were reported in 2008 alone. More importantly, commercial flea-control products target the adult flea. However, flea eggs are easy to remove from puppies with repetition and care.

Things You'll Need

• Flea comb
• Vacuum
• Wash tub
• Gentle shampoo
• Washer and dryer

Instructions

1. 

   When bathing a puppy, take special care not to get soap in his eyes.

   Bathe the puppy. Paul Herrera, DVM and public health veterinarian for the U.S. Department of Agriculture says frequent baths and combing are important for removing fleas and their eggs from puppies. “The water drowns the adult fleas and the soap disrupts the flea’s cuticle causing them to dry out,” said Herrera. “There are some organic shampoos with citrus and herbal oils that act to repel adults.”

   Place the puppy in a tub filled with shallow, tepid water. Using a gentle shampoo recommended for puppies and lather the puppy. Make sure to pay special attention to the base of the tail when fleas tend to congregate. During the bathing process many of the fleas and flea eggs will be removed from the puppy.

2. Using lukewarm to tepid water, rinse all suds off of the puppy. Then towel dry puppy. Most of the remaining flea eggs will be dislodged from the puppy and will fall into the towel.

3. Comb through puppy’s fur using a flea comb. Herrera says to pay special attention to the face, belly and tail area. “Puppies and kittens tend to curl their tails around themselves like a blankey,” he said. With each pass, remove any fleas or eggs from comb and dump into a soapy container.

4. Thoroughly clean the puppy’s environment. Wash all towels and pet bedding in warm water. Vacuum all furniture, flooring, cracks and crevices near pet areas. Herrera says treating the environment of the puppy is most important for controlling flea eggs and adult fleas. “Vacuuming the floors and washing animal and human bedding will help,” said Dr. Herrera. “You can treat carpeting with boric acid or diatomaceous earth to control the adult fleas. And use diatomaceous earth and/or nematodes to control the adult and larval stages of fleas in the lawn.”

Tips & Warnings

• Flea eggs are round and do not attach securely to infested dogs. They quickly roll off. Treating your pet’s bedding and environment is crucial to controlling fleas.

• If puppy has long fur, it is beneficial to cut his fur or shave him before bathing him.

• Puppies younger than 4 months old should not be treated with home mixtures or products without consulting your veterinarian.

• When bathing your puppy take care not to get soap in his eyes.

References

• Alternatives for Animal Health: Non-Toxic Flea Control
• Gardens Alive: How to keep your dogs and cats flea-free naturally
• Organic Pet Digest: Natural Dog Flea Medicine and Products
• Mother Earth News: Natural Flea Control
• Paul Herrera, DVM, Public Health Veterinarian, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Resources

• “Natural Pest Control: Alternatives to Chemicals for the Home and Garden”: Lopez