Home-Based Make Your Own Flea Shampoo

Harsh chemicals in most flea shampoos can cause problems for dogs with sensitive skin.

Store-bought flea shampoos typically work great in eliminating fleas from dogs. However, they are usually loaded with chemicals, such as permethrins, that are potentially harmful to your pet. Instead of buying expensive flea shampoos that may make your animal sick, try a homemade solution.

Things You'll Need

• Warm water
• Citronella, white cedar, eucalyptus, peppermint, pure lavender and pure cedar wood oils
• White or apple cider vinegar
• Clean, empty shampoo bottle
• Dishwashing detergent
• Spray bottle
• Medium-sized bowl
• Colloidal oatmeal

Instructions

Essential Oils Shampoo

1. Pour 2 cups of warm water into a clean, empty shampoo bottle, along with ¼ cup each of citronella oil and white or apple cider vinegar.

2. Add 2 tbsp. each of white cedar, eucalyptus and peppermint oils to the bottle. Combine the ingredients well by shaking the bottle.

3. Pour the solution on the dog and allow it to soak. Apply the shampoo to the neck first, as the fleas will run toward the dog's head in an effort to escape the shampoo. Leave the shampoo on until the fleas die--probably 5 to 10 minutes.

4. Rinse out the shampoo completely with warm water. Be sure to remove all traces of the shampoo, as it can irritate the dog's skin.

Dishwashing Detergent

1. Apply dishwashing detergent to your dog. Apply the soap to the dog's neck first to kill fleas that try to escape the shampoo by running to the dog's neck. If not, the fleas will try to hide in the dog's ears and nose.

2. Allow the soap to soak for 5 minutes. Rinse the detergent off completely with warm water. Repeat the process in one week if you detect fleas again.

3. Spray a homemade flea repellent on the dog to keep the pests away. Combine 600 ml of warm water with two drops each of pure lavender and pure cedar wood essential oils in a spray bottle. Apply the spray to the dog's body, taking care to avoid sensitive areas, such as the eyes and nose. Repeat application as needed.

Soothing Flea Shampoo

1. Dissolve two vitamin E tablets in one cup of hot water. Pour the liquid into a medium-sized bowl, along with ½ cup of unscented, dye-free dishwashing soap.

2. Add one tbsp. each of colloidal oatmeal, aloe vera juice and lemon or orange and lavender oils to the bowl. Mix the ingredients well and pour the solution into a clean, empty shampoo bottle.

3. Apply the solution to the dog and allow it to soak for 5 minutes. Rinse the shampoo well with warm water.

Tips & Warnings

• To eliminate the flea problem, you must treat the environment in which the dog spends time. Vacuum your floors regularly, wash all bedding the animal comes in contact with in hot water and consider using flea spray to kill fleas under furniture or in hard-to-reach places.

References

• The Dog Biscuit: Homemade Dog Shampoo
• Total Flea Control: Home Remedies for Killing Fleas on Dogs
• Vet Info: Homemade Dog Flea Shampoo

Resources

• Dawn