Finding the perfect natural flea and tick prevention for dogs can feel like a challenging task. When your furry friend shows up with rashes, bumps, or constant scratching, you can’t help but search for the best way to eliminate these pesky parasites.

While conventional flea and tick treatments are effective, many pet parents are concerned about the chemicals they contain. Natural remedies, on the other hand, offer a gentler alternative—but how effective are they? Let’s explore the best natural flea and tick prevention for dogs, their safety, and the best natural products you can buy.

Why is Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs Important?

Fleas and ticks thrive in moist, wooded areas such as weeds, grass, under the carpets, and wall cracks. When your curious dog sniffs or digs in these environments, fleas hop on, eager to start feeding. Left untreated, fleas and ticks can cause:

• Skin irritation and rashes
• Diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever
• Anemia from excessive blood loss
• Flea allergy dermatitis, leading to severe itching and infections

If the infestation goes rampant, fleas and ticks can jump onto humans and cause itching. Although rare, flea bites can sometimes cause Murine Typhus in humans. Symptoms include fever, chills, vomiting, and rashes.

Signs of a flea or tick infestation in dogs include excessive scratching, red patches on the skin, hair loss, flea dirt (small black specks), or visible parasites. Prompt removal of fleas and ticks is important as the fleas are highly productive, laying about 50 eggs a day, which can stay dormant so it can take a while before you get rid of them completely. Also, their lifecycle can span several months, surviving in both summer and winter months.

Conventional Flea and Tick Prevention Methods

Before we discuss the natural ways to prevent fleas and ticks in dogs, let’s look at the four main types of conventional treatments:

1. Flea and Tick Collars

These collars release a chemical that spreads across your dog’s fur. The active pesticide in the collar poisons the flea when it tries to bite your dog. While generally safe, there have been reports of some side effects by Seresto collars in the past, but there aren’t definitive reports and US EPA still considers them safe.

2. Chewable Tablets

These contain pet-safe pesticides that enter the dog’s bloodstream. When a flea or tick bites your dog, it ingests the chemical and dies. These are effective but can cause hesitation among pet parents concerned about their pet ingesting a pesticide.

3. Topical Solutions

Shampoos, sprays, and spot-on treatments repel or kill parasites. However, this requires regular grooming, and some shampoos can cause skin irritation to your pet.

While these methods are mostly vet-approved, no solution is entirely risk-free. Pet parents who wish to avoid chemical exposure often look to natural alternatives.

Natural Flea and Tick Prevention Methods

According to vets, natural remedies for flea and tick prevention work best when combined with conventional methods. Here are some popular options:

1. Essential Oils

Essential oils like citronella and peppermint are known for their ability to repel fleas and ticks. A study published in January 2024 found that oils like clove, citronella, and peppermint effectively kill and repel these pests. Clove oil was particularly effective, killing 100% of fleas within an hour during testing.

However, this study involved in vitro testing (outside the animal’s body), and clove oil can be toxic to dogs. To stay safe, you can make a clove oil spray to treat your yard instead of applying it directly to your pet. While essential oils are a natural alternative to chemical treatments, they must always be diluted correctly to prevent harm to your dog

A general guideline is to mix a few drops of essential oil with a tablespoon of carrier oil (like almond or grapeseed oil). Always patch test on a small area of your dog’s skin and consult your vet before use.

2. Cedarwood and Neem Oil

Cedarwood and neem oil are great natural options for getting rid of fleas and ticks. Cedarwood oil is a strong repellent and can even break down the outer shells of flea eggs and larvae. To make simple homemade tick repellent for dogs, mix a few drops of oil with water in a spray bottle and lightly spray your pet’s coat, bedding, and furniture. This helps keep fleas away and protects your pet when outdoors.

Neem oil, also known as Margosa oil, is another effective option. It not only keeps fleas away but also stops them from growing and feeding. Dilute neem oil with water, use liquid dish soap to bind the mixture and spray it on your pet’s coat, focusing on areas like the ears, belly, and tail where fleas gather. Neem oil can also help soothe itchy skin from flea bites. Always check with your vet before using these oils to make sure they are safe for your pet.

3. Diatomaceous Earth and Flea Traps

Diatomaceous earth, made from fossilized algae, is a natural and popular option for controlling fleas and ticks in the environment. It’s a fine powder that coats and dehydrates fleas, breaking down their eggs and larvae. It is effective when applied outdoors in areas where fleas are likely to thrive, like your yard. However, as it’s a powder, it can be easily blown away and can end up in your fur baby’s lungs. So, make sure you use food-grade diatomaceous earth and sprinkle when pets are not around.

Flea traps are another chemical-free solution for dealing with adult fleas indoors. A simple method involves placing shallow dishes of soapy water under nightlights. The light attracts fleas, and the soapy water traps and drowns them. Electric or sticky-pad flea traps are also available for those who want a more spill-proof option. Both methods effectively reduce flea populations.

DIY Natural Flea and Tick Collar

If you don’t want to spend on a ready-made flea and tick collar, create your own natural tick repellent for dogs homemade with essential oils and carrier oils. To do this, you’ll need a carrier oil (we recommend almond oil since it nourishes your pet’s skin, too) and a few drops of essential oil.

Here’s how you can make a homemade natural tick repellent for dogs. Mix a few drops of pet-safe essential oil into the carrier oil and dip a regular collar or bandana in the solution. Let it sit until the collar absorbs the solution. Remove the collar and let it fully dry before use. Refresh the oils every few days for continued protection.

Tips for Effective Flea and Tick Prevention

Groom Regularly: Regular grooming is one of the best approaches to prevent fleas and ticks from infesting your dog. Use a flea comb to carefully check your dog’s coat for fleas, flea eggs, and dirt. A flea comb’s fine teeth trap fleas and their eggs, letting you remove them before they can cause a havoc in your dog’s fur

Also, bathe your dog with a natural flea-repelling shampoo with a pleasant after-wash scent to wash away any pests. Make sure to dry your dog thoroughly after the bath, as fleas love moist environments.

Keep Your Environment Clean: Fleas and ticks often hide in tall grass, weeds, and other outdoor areas. Keep your yard clean by trimming the grass and removing weeds regularly to reduce places where these pesky pests can hide.

Keeping your home tidy is an important step in preventing infestation. Vacuum your home regularly to pick up live and dead fleas, eggs, or larvae. Focus on areas where your dog spends the most time, such as their bed, play areas, and spots where they like to sleep. After vacuuming, discard the vacuum bag or empty the canister to avoid any remaining fleas from hatching.

Besides vacuuming, wash your dog’s bedding and dog toys with hot water to remove any fleas and larvae lurking inside.

Monitor Your Dog: Always be on the lookout for signs of fleas or ticks on your dog. If you notice your dog scratching excessively, licking certain areas more than usual, or developing red, inflamed patches on their skin, it could be a sign of infestation. Also, if your dog tends to scratch or bite at irritated areas, consider using an inflatable dog collar to prevent further discomfort and allow the skin to heal.

Early detection will prevent the problem from worsening. If you notice these signs, act promptly by treating your dog with flea and tick prevention products. Also, inspect your dog’s coat and skin regularly, more so after outdoor activities, as fleas and ticks can jump on your dog from the environment.

Best Natural Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs

Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs Chewables

This flea and tick prevention chewable is a game-changer when it comes to keeping your dog safe from pesky parasites. Formulated by veterinarians, these chicken-flavored chewables are full of natural ingredients like neem, coriander, and flax seeds, which are known for their pest-repelling properties. Also, the addition of vitamin B complex boosts your dog’s immune system, giving them the natural ability to ward off fleas and ticks on their own.

These chewable are great for thick-coated breeds, where grooming is a chore. With this easy solution, you can skip the hassle of grooming routines while keeping your pet flea-free.

2. Vet’s Best Flea and Tick Repellent Collar

This plant-based flea and tick collar is a game changer when it comes to repelling fleas and ticks. It releases a pleasant scent that fades when the collar’s effectiveness has reduced, acting as a good indicator for replacement. While it says it stays active for up to four months, we have found that it needs replacement every 1.5 months.

3. Natural Flea and Tick Shampoo

This all-natural dog shampoo is a fantastic addition to your dog’s grooming kit. Made from plant-based extracts like thyme oil, peppermint oil, clove oil, rosemary oil, and cedarwood oil, it works wonders in repelling pests during bath time. It comes in two delightful scents—cotton spice and peppermint—you can choose the one that suits your preference.

This shampoo is among the best natural flea and tick prevention for dogs as it offers double benefits: it not only kills fleas and ticks but keeps your dog’s coat healthy, shiny, and smooth, too. It creates a rich lather and leaves a pleasant fragrance on your furry friend.

Conclusion

Fleas and ticks are a nuisance for pet parents. They quickly spread across a dog’s body and cause intense itching, bumps, and rashes. From flea and tick collars to shampoos and chewables, countless products on the market promise to combat these pests. However, concerned about the chemicals in such products, some pet parents prefer natural flea and tick prevention methods for dogs over conventional ones.

Natural options include essential oils, cedarwood, neem oil, and diatomaceous earth. Essential oils must always be diluted with a carrier oil before use. While these natural methods can be effective, they work best when combined with conventional treatments for complete protection.