Dog owners will do anything during flea season to find relief for their furry companions. The idea of dousing their pets in chemicals or insecticides, however, is disliked by many owners. Thankfully, a variety of natural treatments are available, including those that use essential oils like peppermint.
These flea treatments are effective at getting rid of fleas, safe for dogs, and easy to use. One benefit is that after you treat your dog for fleas with an herbal remedy, his coat will smell clean and fresh. These remedies should not be used on your cat due to the fact that cats have a difficult time metabolizing essential oils and some even have allergic reactions to them.
Starting with a homemade flea-dip can help you get rid of fleas on your dog. If properly prepared, the dip will eliminate fleas, their eggs, larvae, and their ability to reproduce. The dip should also help soothe your dogs itchy skin.
Peppermint and water are combined, steeped for 30 minutes, and then allowed to cool After it has cooled, bathe your dog in the solution. This can be repeated every two weeks as needed.
When you don’t have time to give your dog a thorough flea bath or when you want to top off your dog’s flea protection in between baths, the flea repellent spray comes in handy. This spray can be applied daily.
Spray bottle with 5 drops tea tree oil, 5 drops citronella oil, 5 drops rosemary oil, 5 drops peppermint oil, and 5 drops eucalyptus oil.
Shake the spray bottle vigorously as you add the oils and water. Spray your dog’s ears, the pit area (where the legs meet the body), and the spine from head to tail. Before each use, shake the bottle because the oils will have separated.
One of the simplest ways to prevent fleas is with flea collars, but many dog owners dislike the idea of putting a chemical-soaked collar around their pet’s neck. Making natural dog flea collars can help you find a solution to this problem. Simply apply a few drops of an essential oil, such as eucalyptus, tea tree, citronella, lavender, peppermint, or geranium, to your dog’s collar.
Try making this itch remedy if your dog is still scratching even though the fleas are gone.
1 quart of boiling water, 4 quarts of warm water, and 2 cups of fresh, packed peppermint, pennyroyal, or rosemary
After 30 minutes, strain the herbs from the water after steeping them in boiling water. Completely saturate your dog’s coat with the mixture of the hot water and warm water. Let your pet air dry. It is safe to use this itch treatment again every three to four days.
Dr. By repelling a variety of pests, Bronners Peppermint Soap can be used to make an insecticide that works well on your dog, yourself, and your garden.
Mix all the ingredients together in a bucket, then pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Use it to ward off fleas, garden pests, and other pesky insects while you’re outside with your dog.
Kate Jennings has been a journalist since 2008. The Kentucky Magazine, Kentuckyiana Family, The Courier-Journal, The Trail Blazer, and the Mount Sterling Advocate,” and the “Maysville Ledger-Independant. ” Jennings has won numerous Kentucky Intercollegiate Press Association awards. She is currently a journalism and art history student at Morehead State University.
What Is Peppermint Oil?
Mentha x piperita, the peppermint plant, is a hybrid of spearmint and watermint. It is a fragrant, easy-to-grow plant with green leaves. The flavor of peppermint is frequently described as peppery, and it is frequently used in foods and beverages as well as for a number of human health benefits.
The leaves of the peppermint plant are used to produce the essential oil known as peppermint oil. However, since the oil is significantly more concentrated, it is not the same as peppermint extract. Terpenes and flavonoids, two unique peppermint plant constituents, are present in this concentrated, fragrant oil. These elements, which are also present in numerous other plants, have demonstrated health benefits for both people and animals. Menthol (21), among other terpenes and flavonoids, are found in peppermint oil. 68%), menthone (31. 76%), menthofuran (7. 08%), eucalyptol (4%), linalool (2. 59%), limonene (0. 6%), and various others in lesser amounts.
Never give peppermint oil to pets or administer it to them orally, especially cats. It may result in a number of problems, such as nausea, diarrhea, seizures, paralysis, and even kidney failure.
Is Peppermint Oil Safe for Pets?
Cats are thought to be toxic from peppermint oil, and dogs may also experience problems. In spite of this, some products made for dogs include safe amounts of peppermint extract or very small amounts of peppermint oil. These products are primarily based on research done on rats and are typically used for flavoring or for gastrointestinal benefits. It is generally not advised to use peppermint oil, especially at high concentrations, due to the paucity of scientific research on the subject, especially considering the potential side effects.
The Pet Poison Hotline claims that because of how their metabolism differs from dogs’, cats are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of peppermint. Depending on how the oil was used, cats have reportedly suffered from drooling, vomiting, tremors, seizures, difficulty breathing and walking, stomach ulcers, low body temperature, low blood pressure, rear limb paralysis, skin irritation, and even liver and kidney failure. Dogs may be less sensitive to peppermint oil than cats, but canines may still be in danger from large doses of concentrated peppermint oil.
Why not use a commercial flea treatment instead of peppermint oil?
There has been much discussion regarding the potentially harmful components found in common over-the-counter flea killers. Even other flea control methods like collars and powders are just as dangerous for you as they are for your pet because they contain active chemicals that can cause serious health issues. Have you ever noticed that you are constantly advised to thoroughly wash your hands after handling these products, yet this is what we are applying to the body of our cherished pets?
While there are certainly situations that call for things like spot on treatments, etc., an increasing number of animal lovers are determined to avoid these potentially harmful products and prefer to learn more about using natural remedies whenever possible.
You will learn from reading this article that there are risks associated with using peppermint oil (more below), but if it is used correctly and diluted in accordance with the recipes I provide later in the article, it can be extremely helpful in the fight against fleas.
FAQ
How do you use peppermint oil on dogs for fleas?
Dab your pet’s back, neck, and any other itchy areas with a cotton ball that has been soaked in the diluted oil. To keep fleas away, you can also dab some of the oil inside the animal’s collar. Continue reading for advice on how to vacuum with a peppermint sachet or spritz your home with peppermint oil!
Is peppermint oil safe for dogs skin?
Some essential oils are poisonous to dogs. Cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, tea tree (melaleuca), wintergreen, and ylang ylang oils are among those included in this. These oils are harmful whether they are applied topically or taken orally.
Will peppermint oil keep fleas off my dog?
Despite not necessarily killing fleas and ticks, peppermint oil works well as a repellent. Citronella Oil. Fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects can be effectively repelled by citronella plant oil.
What happens if dogs lick peppermint oil?
If your dog licks peppermint oil off their skin or ingests it after finding it on the ground, it can seriously upset their stomach. Lethargy, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain are all indications that you should take your dog to the veterinarian. Peppermint oil is toxic for dogs.