Fleas on dogs can cause serious discomfort and several other health problems. Perhaps the most important step to take is to understand how to check for signs of fleas on your dog, then you can take the proper actions to get rid of them. The following are some of the best ways to keep fleas away from your dog’s hair;

Use a Flea Comb

A flea comb is one of the best natural ways to get rid of fleas from the dog’s hair. The comb is designed to penetrate deep into the long hair of the dog to keep the animal well-groomed. A good quality flea comb will be able to remove small and large fleas including the flea larva and eggs. It comes with a set of narrow teeth but makes sure the hair is not tangled when using the comb. Make sure you comb the hair downwards for better result.

Use a Dog-recommended Shampoo

There are some specific dog shampoo products in the market you should consider for flea removal. You can add a cup of shampoo with a cup of freshly squeezed lemon into moderate water inside a medium to a large bowl. Bath the dog at least once in a week to remove fleas from the hair.

Apple Cider Vinegar to Repel Fleas on Your Dog

One of the ways to get rid of fleas on your dog naturally is to add a teaspoon of fermented apple cider vinegar into your dog’s drinking water daily. The apple cider vinegar is known to keep the skin or coat of the dog slightly acidic, which is an unfavorable condition for fleas to stay on the dog. Apple Cider Vinegar also helps the dog repel other insects such as ticks. Do not apply this solution directly on the dog’s skin, especially when the skin is broken, it could lead to skin irritation.

Wash the Dog’s Bedding with Some Heat

Beddings used by your dog or any other fabric he lays upon must be washed thoroughly to get rid of fleas. Using hot water or steam can also help in getting rid of hidden fleas and ticks inside such bedding. Most dogs don’t have to play outdoors to get attacked by fleas, these insects can easily get attached to bedding and eventually find their way to the hair or coat of the dog. Heat treatment makes beddings unbearable for fleas to hide.

Make Use of a Flea Collar

You can turn your dog’s collar into a flea collar by applying a few drops of lavender oil or tree tea oil mixed with water on the collar. You can also sprinkle the solution on a handkerchief too, and tie it to your dog’s neck to repel fleas.

Groom the Pet Routinely

It doesn’t matter whether your dog is short or long-haired, you need to groom the animal regularly to prevent flea attacks. You can make use of a recommended dog clipper to shave excess and dead hair from the coat. Long hair dogs should be groomed more frequently than short-haired dogs. Sometimes, grooming your dog is the best possible way to discover fleas.

Take the Dog for Regular Veterinary Checkup

Not only are the regular medical checkups good for the health of the dog, but they can also help in detecting flea problems earlier on. Flea attacks occur in stages, and it is important to examine all the body-parts of the animal to ensure that the most hidden flea attacks are detected on time. The earlier flea attacks are detected, the earlier the dog can begin treatment. In the process of getting rid of fleas, the veterinary doctor may also detect some other underlying issues not related to flea attacks.

Make Use of Citrus to Repel Fleas

If you don’t like the idea of applying medicated soaps and sprays in treating your dog, you should consider a natural remedy like Citrus solution to repel fleas. You can make a citrus solution of freshly squeezed orange or lemon, then rub the juice on the coat of the dog and let it sit there for as long as possible. The dog may constantly lick the juice off the coat but he can’t leak everything off, so there is nothing to worry about.  Citrus fruits are very safe and healthy to apply on the dog’s coat.

Apply Essential Oils

Essential oils give off some aromatic scent that can repel all kinds of animals. Essential oils can be placed inside a diffuser and you can time its release into your dog’s surroundings. It is ideal to apply the essential oils most in the afternoon when the dog is most active. Aside from using a diffuser, you can also apply 4-5 drops of essential oil on the dog’s coat to achieve the same result. Some common essential oils you should consider include oils of chamomile, lavender, tree tea, and sage.

Vacuum the Dog’s Hair

Choose the right dog hair vacuum device for this purpose to avoid scaring the animal. Vacuuming the dog’s hair is one of the easiest ways to get rid of fleas and other pets that may be hidden inside the animal’s fur. Make sure the vacuum is set at low vibration mode to avoid any panic attack in the dog. You may want to perform this step after examining the dog physically. The vacuum cleaner should be able to suck up the fleas and other pests on the dog’s coat.

Conclusion

Spraying your yard to get rid of fleas is another step you should take because it is better to prevent the problem than to treat it. There are specialized sprays that can help you achieve this. In addition to spraying the yard, you should also consider cutting down overgrown grasses and shrubs around your yard. Inspect every area where your dog explores and make sure you eliminate things that attract fleas and other insects that can attack your pet. The cleaner your environment, the better and faster you can prevent fleas from attacking your adorable pet.