Fleas are the pesky creatures which make your dog’s and your life miserable. They carry parasites with themselves and contaminate the environment surrounding them. Moreover, flea bites are also immensely uncomfortable for dogs, as they bite and suck the blood. The bites of these tiny insects leave in their wake red bumps and cause diseases. In the worst case scenario, these fleas might also attack you and the people that you love. Even single flea on your dog is dangerous. Fleas reproduce very quickly and it’s very difficult to get rid of a flea infestation. Therefore, if your dog is suffering from them it is necessary that you find an immediate solution to the problem.
Why essential oils?
There are chemical solutions to get rid of fleas, but their long term use can cause harm to your dog. Not only that, but they might also harm the environment. Most of these chemicals have labels on them stating they are poisonous. Well, one could think of using them, if there were not better and more eco-friendly options available. Essential oil is one such option. So go green and use essential oils which fight fleas naturally. Essential oils are one of the best natural remedies for fleas, as they have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti-parasitic properties. But before reading about the oils, let’s take a look at the diseases which flea bites can cause:
Diseases caused by fleas
Fleas do much more harm than just suck the blood of dogs. They spread some severe diseases, which sometimes can be fatal for your pet. Sometimes the welts caused by scratching can become the reason for secondary infections. Some diseases caused by flea bites:
1. Plague
You must have read about plague in history books. It’s the same disease that fleas spread in dogs. This happens when fleas bite any wild animal which is infected with the Yersinia pestis bacterium, and then bites a pet dog. If your pet dog has high fever as well as swollen lymph nodes, then it might mean that he is suffering from plague. You should take him to the vet immediately, and additionally apply essential oils which fight fleas on your dog.
2. Dermatitis caused by fleas
Dermatitis is almost always caused by an intense flea infestation. If your dog has sensitive skin, he can suffer from dermatitis just from one flea bite. Hot spots can become infected, and extreme itching can cause the dog to harm himself and many dogs lose patches of fur. To protect the skin of your dog, use a natural way to fight fleas, so that they cannot cause much harm to your pet.
3. Tapeworms
Tapeworms can be spread by fleas. Tapeworms are parasites too, but they attack inside the body. Tapeworms can make a home in an animal’s intestines, casing vomiting, nutritional deficiencies and weight loss. So how can fleas spread tapeworms? If a flea bites an animal which has tapeworms, then the flea carries the tapeworm eggs in their own bodies. They transfer the tapeworm eggs to your dog when they bite.
Essential oils that fight fleas
A natural way to fight fleas is to use essential oils instead of pesticides. Chemicals used in artificial pesticides harm the environment and have been linked to diseases like cancer, reproductive problems, and impaired brain function.
Essential oils which fight fleas are safe as they are plant extracts.
1. Cedarwood oil
That essential oils kill fleas is a well-known and proven fact. Cedarwood is one of the best essential oils which fight fleas, as it effectively kills and repels fleas. Experts suggest using Cedarwood oil to clean the house to get of the fleas that your dog/s bring in.
How to use:
Mix just a few drops of Cedarwood oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil and apply to the dogs’ skin. Don’t use more than couple of drops as the solution will become too strong. You can use it in the form of essential oil flea spray, to make the application easier. Another way is to add the oil to an oil diffuser, which will release the flea-killing molecules into your home’s air. This will kill all the fleas hiding in hard-to-reach corners.
2. Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint oil is used to soothe the skin irritation caused by flea bite. This oil has been found to be very effective in reducing inflammation too. When this oil is applied on your dog’s skin, it stimulates blood flow which allows for faster healing from flea bites.
How to use:
This oil should be used only on bigger dogs, as it is too potent for small dog breeds. When you see your large dog scratching, you can apply a few drops of peppermint oil on the particular spot, which will definitely reduce the itching.
3. Lemongrass oil
Fleas seem to hate the scent of this oil and tend to stay away. It does not kill fleas, but rubbing some on your dog’s feet before taking him for a walk can keep the fleas away.
How to use:
Use this oil in an oil diffuser to spread its beautiful aroma in your home, which will also repel fleas. Dilute the oil with water, and put the diluted solution in a spray bottle, and spritz some on your dog. This lemongrass essential oil flea spray will repel the fleas effectively.
4. Rosemary oil
Though some essential oils kill fleas, rosemary oil does not kill them, but helps to heal flea bites. It creates an unsuitable environment for fleas, thus making your home free from fleas.
How to use:
Mix 5-8 drops of rosemary oil in the dog’s shampoo and rub it in thoroughly. This will help to rid your dog of the bothersome fleas, and heal the flea bite/bites.
Caution:
Never ever use this rosemary oil on cats because it is toxic for cats.
5. Helichyrsum oil for puppies
It’s really sad to see tiny puppies scratching away and being uncomfortable. This is one of the essential oils which fight fleas and is considered to be the best remedy for little puppies. It heals the skin and the analgesic property moisturizes the puppy’s skin.
How to use:
Dilute some drops (3-4) of this essential oil with coconut oil and apply it to the skin, wherever you can spot inflammation. Reapply till your puppy stops itching.
6. Cardamom essential oil
This is one of the essential oils which fight fleas, as it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It soothes the skin and saves your pet from secondary infections which flea bites might cause.
How to use:
Dilute this oil with some jojoba oil and massage into your dog’s body. This remedy is helpful for humans also, and if you have been bitten by a flea, you can rub some of the diluted oil on yourself too.
Other options to choose from
Other essential oils which fight fleas are lemon and lavender oils. You can use them in diffusers to repel the fleas. Essential oils are amazing natural medications to get rid of flea infestations.
