Photo Credit: Findavet.us
If you have pets that go outside regularly then more than likely, they have encountered a flea or 2…or 2000! I have a Rat Terrier dog, named Pepper, who has had her fair share of flea encounters! If you’ve had trouble with them, then you know how miserable it is for the poor pooches so I’m here to tell you how to get rid of fleas – the natural & thrifty way!
We live in the country where fleas are abundant!! I usually associate the word abundant with GOOD things, but fleas are – well…the pits!! We’ve tried all of the medications, shampoos, pills, and sprays known to man to help us get rid of fleas, but they kept coming back. I would even give her her monthly dose of “down the back” medicine a week early and it still didn’t keep them at bay!
I started doing some research and found that there is a little household staple that works in getting rid of fleas and I decided to give it a try. Within a week, she was FLEA FREE…literally!!! Apple Cider Vinegar! Yep…that’s it! Now, I will say that since we’ve been doing this (which has been for about 3 months now) I still see a flea or 2 every once in awhile when she’s been outside but they don’t stay on too long.
Fleas can’t stand the smell or taste of the Apple Cider Vinegar, however, for humans vinegar is a natural remedy for many ailments…some even say for Cancer!
Side note: check out this Health book on the Benefits of Vinegar…it’s crazy what all vinegar can do for our bodies!!
Personally, I use about a teaspoon a day of Apple Cider Vinegar added to Peppers food. You can also add it to their water, but I tried that and she wouldn’t drink it so I just started putting it in her food daily. Also, I have a small spray bottle that I add a 50/50 mixture of Apple Cider Vinegar and water to. I use it to spray her down sometimes before going outside to keep those little buggars from jumping on her.
The Apple Cider Vinegar is very good for many other reasons…check out how I clean with vinegar! Getting back on track – if your dog has skin that is too dry or too oily, this will help in balancing the PH in their skin! It’s also great for dogs who suffer from arthritis or even dust mite allergies. When you give them a bath, put a drop or 2 in their ears and it dries up any excess water which can cause ear infections.
Extra piece of advice. If your dog has fleas bad enough that you’re finding them on your couches, in your carpet, or in your bed – lightly spray those areas with the mixture I mentioned above. After the sprayed areas dry, vacuum really REALLY well. Take your vacuum away from the house immediately AFTER you’ve vacuumed and dump the filter/canister so the fleas don’t get back out and any eggs don’t hatch. I recommend doing this EVERYDAY or even a few times a day until you see less and less, then eventually none!
If you’re tired of paying all those high prices for Flea medications and shampoos that just aren’t working…give this a try. I think you’ll have success like I have!! Be sure and let me know if this works out for you!
the chick behind this blog! I'm your ordinary, everyday wife and mom to an incredible pair of stinky guys! I am a self diagnosed coffee addict with a ginormous sweet tooth, preferably baked goods!! My hope is to help you, teach you, and entertain you on your way to a more thrifty and frugal lifestyle! Along the way, you'll find awesome recipes, great tips, and tons of randomness! We have loads of fun, so ya'll come back now, ya hear?!
Really? That works? I’ll have to keep that in mind!
Whirlwind of Surprises
Apple Cider Vinegar is good for SO many things..just never thought of it helping with fleas. I just recently heard that it’s also good for those pesky weeds that grow between side walks.
When I was growing up, my dad would use what was called Seven Dust. He’d shake it on the lawn and that helped keep the fleas from getting on our dog. Not sure if that stuff is still around though since I don’t have a dog now.
Kourtenay – We use Seven Dust on our roses and stuff here to keep bugs and beetles off of them so I’m sure it would work on fleas too. Our yard is just too big. We’d have to buy a pallet of it 😉
Seven Dust is TOXIC Don’t use that , Shame on you that’s really bad advice for flea treatment! Just use the vinegar!!
https://foodtruthfreedom.wordpress.com/2012/02/11/sevin-dust-is-not-your-garden-friend/
Wow! I never knew about this use! Thanks for the post!
I’ll need to share this with my Mom as she just got a dog and keeps it in the house.
Great tip! Storing this one in the memory banks. We’re battling fleas right now. Stupid weather hasn’t stayed cold enough to kill them.
Do you think regular distilled white vinegar would work for the furniture? I already use this for cleaning and would rather keep the raw apple cider vinegar for eating ( us and pets) this would explain why our goats and rabbits etc never get fleas! I always add it to there water but for some reason when we moved I forgot it for the dog.
I have a wine bottle with a spout four pouring that we used all the time for the pets water and one that matches my oil next to the stove. Pop in a few cloves of garlic and keep the vinegar topped off and you have a super healthful homemade additive with too many benefits to list in a comment! woot!
Teri,
I would think that just regular distilled white vinegar would work just as well for the furniture. The vinegar itself is what is repulsive to the fleas…the apple cider is just naturally sweeter tasting so that’s why it’s easier to get the pets to eat it from their food. Again, I tried mixing it in my dog’s water and she wouldn’t drink it. Just adding a small amount to her dog food and mixing it up she doesn’t mind. I’ve also heard that using a spray bottle mixed with water and a little Dawn dish liquid and spraying over your furniture works too.
yay! i will give it a go and see. cant believe I forgot about that but then again never associated it with fleas per se
Teri
terigelseth.com
Does the dog smell like vinegar at all?
Jennifer – I don’t notice it with my dog just by putting it in her food. When I spray her down with it I can smell it a bit but it doesn’t last long. Winter is settling in now and I still add it to her food but I don’t worry about spraying her with it before going outside. We have snow on the ground now, BUT the closer to spring it gets I will start again.
Another thing, the vinegar will balance out their PH so it will sort of help neutralize any odor.
Thank you for this great tip! We live in the county also and the fleas last summer were just awful. They were so bad the little boogers where being tracked into the house and eating my Mini-Me alive. We will be using this tip this yea.
WOW… I had no clue! What a great tip. Flea dips and sprays can be so expensive…
First, that picture is SO cute. And yep I LOVE this remedy. I interned at a Vet office a hundred years ago, and he had a lot of very low income clients who would bring their poor furbabies in just covered in fleas. We actually got this vinegar by the case and would give it to our clients. Its THAT good. Great post!
Lynsey – that is awesome that you guys did that. It’s frustrating when your pets are miserable and all the money you throw away on meds don’t work anyway. We’ve had alot of luck with this so we keep using it 🙂
I’m surprised the dogs will eat the food with the vinegar on it. It seems like a such a strong smell.
Bonnie, she didn’t like it much at first but I only use a very small amount since she’s a small dog. She’s used to it now and doesn’t even pay attention to it. Be sure to use the apple cider vinegar though, it tastes sweeter.
So do you feed it to him for other health reasons, or does it get in his system to keep the fleas away that way? I noticed you also use the spray…
Katrina – I use it specifically to keep the fleas away but it’s beneficial in other ways too. When you get into a routine of giving it to them everyday, it eventually gets into their system and skin. I only spray her in the summer months when the fleas outside are bad. Since we live in the country, they are abundant. Just spraying her with hit before going outside is like adding an extra barrier so they won’t jump on her.
Interesting. I wonder if it could work….
Wow! I love this! My mom’s poor dog suffers from dry skin. I’m printing this out right now and mailing it to her.
We don’t have fleas, but some of my plants have little critters and I’ve been using the 50/50 spray on them and it works!!
Sharon – that’s great! Keep a close eye on the plants though, I’ve heard that vinegar is a great weed killer. I wouldn’t want your plants to start turning brown!
That’s a great tip! I will pass it on!
This is great! We had a big flea issue two summer’s ago.. it was horrible!
I’m doing this. I read about this a few months ago myself! We have been over run by fleas. The cost of the medication is killing me. I add the vinegar to their drinking water. Maybe about a half teaspoon or so, neither the dogs nor the cats care. I also spray them down with a mixture of it. (On a side note, that mixture is great for a bad behavior deterrent, I use it for annoying barking, chewing, and jumping on people! It really works great. I do use 2 drastically looking different bottles though so to try not to associate it) I also use a part vinegar/water mixture when I bathe them. After shampooing and rinsing I rinse them good with the mixture, even my cats. Just be careful with their eyes. Personally I feel this is better than all of the chemicals & a heck of a lot cheaper 🙂
Vinegar is great for so many things. I’ve recently started to use it to rinse/wash fruits and vegetables before I use them. My family is happy. I was scaring them by using dishsoap. They were certain I wouldn’t get it completely washed off someday.
I don’t have pets, but great information. I use vinegar for so many things I couldn’t list them all.
Tami – you’re so right. My dad uses it for heartburn even. He swears by it!
Wow, I have NEVER heard of this before!!! I’m definitely going to try this! I may have a difficult time getting my dog to eat the food with it in there, but I’m going to try spraying it on her and see if it works. Thanks for the tip!
Gina – You can try starting with like half a teaspoon or something just until she gets used to it. My dog stuck her nose up at it at first too…but then she got hungry enough and didn’t care. I put just enough now in her food and stir it around really well until it’s all sort of just barely wet.
Wow, I could of used this tip summer of 2011. The fleas were so bad we had to use capstar and I bombed. Next time I will try the apple cider vinegar. Thanks for passing this on.
i’m excited to know this! our dogs have problems every summer & the commercial stuff is so expensive. thanks!
You’re right Nancy…super expensive!!
Apple Cider Vinegar is a jack of all trades! lol, I also use it, mixed with dish washing detergent, to catch fruit flies. It’s also a great skin toner, when watered down of course 🙂
Holly – it definitely is! I’ve heard of people catching fruit flies with it before. Those little buggars are so bothersome! I’ve never thought of using it as a toner. I might have to give that a try 🙂 Thanks for the heads up!
I wonder if you could use it for cats? They are so hard to get anything on in the summer time. I wonder if mixing it in their wet food would work?
Marsha, honestly I have no idea. I’ve never had cats so I’m not sure but I’d think it would be alright. I’d definitely research on Google before just to be on the safe side.
Hi,
Popping back in again. I add it to my cats drinking water & they don’t mind. I also rinse them (diluted) after a bath. (My cats don’t mind baths, haha) If you’re cats don’t like baths you could wipe it on down to the skin.Start off gradually in the drinking water. Maybe an 1/8th tsp and work up from there. It’s also great for cleaning ears.
Great to know Leah! Thanks for updating for us!!
Your cats like baths? I’m jealous – my family thinks its funny to take pictures of me all bloody after my cats whip on me for giving them a bath. I am definitely going to try this to avoid more cat baths… my nose is almost healed
Can this be used on cats too? If not does anyone have suggestions for them.. I have both, dog and cat in the house and they seem to just pass them back and forth..
Pam, I’m not certain about using this method for cats. I don’t own any cats (I’m allergic) so I would definitely ask your vet prior to using. It may be fine, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. Good luck and let us know what you find out!! It would be helpful to others I’m sure!
Gave this a try after using shampoos and sprays on my puppy and it worked perfect for the South Florida flea fields.
That’s great!! Glad it worked well for you. I hear those buggar’s are pretty bad in Fl.
We live in the Philippines so the tropical weather makes it easy for these fleas to infest our dog. I just tried this solution this morning during my dog’s bath. It was so effective. Immediately the fleas surfaced in my dog’s coat like they couldn’t hold on anymore and lost their sucking powers. They must really hate ACV! Will do this regularly!
I’m so glad it worked well for you Nikki.
I have started using Apple Cider Vinegar on my dog Luckie about one week now and it really works. I apply it by using cotton wool and rubbing it into his skin, the fleas just fall off. It is really good. Thank you.
Awesome Denise! I love to hear good reports!
Just wanted to say that I started using Apple Cider Vinegar to combat fleas when I moved back to Louisiana. One of the ways I got my dog – Nickle to eat her food with ACV was to add a 1/2 tsp of no sodium chicken broth. Both the ACV and broth made a little gravy, she loved it. I did that for about a week afterwhich I only used the ACV. Clear the fleas immediately. Also added ACV to the laundry when I washed her bedding and did the 50/50 spray on the furniture. It works!!
I love ACV. I drink it daily and add it to my bath once a week.
Wow…thanks for sharing the tip about the chicken broth! That’s a great little trick. Sometimes they will stick their nose up at the ACV in their water to drink so that’d be a great way to introduce them if they’re being picky at first.
I have tried this and it works like a charm!!! I have 4 dogs in my house (5, until I had to put my senior girl to sleep last month,) and not a flea on them! It took a little while to kick in after I started adding the vinegar to their water bowls, but it has been working since! I occasionally see a random flea on my rat terrier, but our yard is large and they like to play & lay in it, so I can handle 1 here & there!
Awesome Rita!! So glad it’s working for you!!
Jenni, do you apply the ACV to wet or dry dog food? My pit gets dry and my 14yr old gets moist. Also, I’ve heard that organic is better than the pasteurized. Any thoughts?
Hi Bobbi! We give our dog dry dog food but I would think that it’d be fine in wet food too. Let us know how it goes!
Hi Jenni,
My English Bull Terrier Dottie has had a few fleas lately and the bites have caused her to be itching almost constantly and have red blotchy skin. Have just started adding ACV to her water and she seems to have almost stopped itching and her skin isn’t as blotchy! We also added a little bit to a spray bottle with some Lavender oil in too (which helps calm down inflammation and itching) and this really seems to have worked and really quickly too!! We were just saying the other day that we didn’t think we would ever get rid of the flea problem, as we didn’t want to do down the chemical route and nothing else natural really worked and now we are so happy that the ACV seems to be working so well!!
One of our dogs has been overwhelmed with fleas in spite of TriTak, daily diatomaceous earth on him and in the house, and daily vacuuming of the him and the house. Our other dog and cats have minimal issues with fleas. As soon as I saw this blog, I started with the ACV. It’s been just two days, but already he’s calmer and isn’t going into frenzies because of how much he itches. I’m still seeing some fleas on his back legs, but it appears that the fleas may not be biting him as much as they were before.
I created flea wipes by soaking paper towels in an ACV/water solution. I’m storing them in a Corningware casserole with a plastic lid. My dog is a Mastiff/GSD mix, very large and very strong. He’s not especially a fan of being sprayed. The wipes are excellent. I can get his fur damp down to the skin and he feels as though he’s getting a massage. The paper towels are a little flimsy when they get wet. At Sam’s Club, I just bought a box of Scott Rags in a Box which are paper towels made to clean commercial kitchens. They are supposed to be strong and absorbent. I hope they work even better.
Yay…I’m glad he’s getting some relief. I’m happy that the ACV is working out for you. Nice idea with the wipes. I’ll have to try that!
The Scott Rags in a Box are fantastic as ACV wipes. They are thick paper towels that are as strong as cloth. They are about the size of a man’s handkerchief and are very absorbent. I pre-soaked several of them with ACV/water. I was able to use one towel to fully dampen the fur of a 112 lb dog. I can use one wipe to go from his head to his tail and there is no shredding. I could probably even wash the Rag in a Box and use it again. Since I got 350 paper towels for around $13.00 and because I’m wiping off dead fleas and flea dirt, I’m just throwing them away when I’m done.
The ACV is a miracle. Before ACV, Major was constantly in a frenzy of scratching and was tormented. Today is Day 3 – Major seems to still have some fleas on his abdomen and back legs, but they don’t seem to be bothering him as much. I’ve been vacuuming Major once a day, wiping him with ACV/water wipes two or three times a day, and giving him about 2 teaspoons of ACV morning and night. I pray that he continues to make good progress. Thanks again.
Oh, yay for Major! I’m really glad it’s working out so well. I do recommend vacuuming where he lays too each day or a couple of times a day. Some fleas will start jumping off of him to get away from the ACV in his skin so making sure to vacuum where he’s around will be helpful too. Make sure to empty your vacuum bag or canister OUTSIDE after each vacuuming!! I hope you keep making progress!!!
I have a 31/2 month German Shep pup, she is on the bigger side, any suggestions on how much ACV I should give her? I started putting a small amount in her water last night, she has no issue drinking it, but want to make sure I give her enough, but not to much!
Peggy, I use about a teaspoon for my little rat terrier. I’m not certain how much you can give larger dogs. I would start out small and then gradually give her more. Once you notice the fleas disappearing…I’d say you’ve hit the right amount of ACV. Since she is just a pup and still growing quite a bit you might have to keep gradually adding more to her water or food. I’d say that somewhere between 1 and 2 teaspoons for a larger dog would be enough. Good luck!!
Fantastic Article. ACV is amazing for dogs both taken internally and externally. I feel so bad for dogs whose owners are ignorant of the powerful health benefits. My dogs have clean breath, tons of energy, strong immune system all thanks to KetchPup®. “The Original Ketchup for Dogs.” This product contains ACV as one of the 5 organic ingredients. You see, dogs love the benefits, but some hate the taste. Blending it in with this sauce masks the strong taste and they LOVE IT. I squirt it over their food and they lick the bowl clean. Hope this helps others as you experiment with apple cider vinegar for your dog,
Susan
I read that ACV is good for hot spots on dogs. My dog has them so bad and he wont leave them alone. I have tried rubbing triple antibiotic ointment on him but it has not helped. I got desperate and went to Google for answers. I read everywhere that ACV helps with the skin problems. Is this something anyone on here has tried and can tell me that it works? Also, do you think it would hurt my dog?
Instead of trying to mix in their food can I give them apple cider vinegar with a syringe so I know they’re getting all of it. I’m so desperate to try anything…. I’ve apparently wasted a ton of money on flea meds that arent working all name brand too, what a joke! I’ve even tried other home remides I need something that will actually work
Jessica, I’ve never given my dog the vinegar that way and I’m pretty sure that your dog would probably fight you on it. They don’t particularly like the taste of it, so that’s why it’s easier to mix in their food. Good luck!
I was wondering if anyone experienced any loose stool after using the ACV in the dog food? I put a teaspoon in my Boston’s wet food this morning and this afternoon she had loose stool. I use the ACV in a detox drink along with other things.
Ruby, my dog Pepper (rat terrier) never had any loose stools after starting the ACV. I’m not sure that that’s what caused your Boston’s – it could be though. I’d doubt that it would be a daily thing though. It may be that her tummy isn’t used to changes in diet? Good luck!!
Very true! Bostons have notoriously sensitive stomachs, and flatulence!
I am going to try the ACV…my little dog really has fleas…
Hi Jenni,
If the Apple Cider Vinegar can spray on human to prevent flea bite? I got flea bite always and the bites on my skin is getting worse and end up to see doctor,thanks.
Hi Claire, apple cider vinegar is safe to use on skin.
Great article. Claire – I put the ACV on my son to treat flea bites and also put about 1/2 cup in his bath water. If you do this regularly it will help heal existing bites and prevent new ones. At least that is my experience. It will also help if you drink 1-2 teaspoons in glass of water daily. Can’t get my son to do that haha. Just make sure you drink another full glass of plain water after. ACV is good for MANY things but not good for the enamel on your teeth.
I have been at my wits end with my dog itching, biting and licking himself to no end. i have used every product under the sun for this skin, change of food to all grain and bathed with everything and even used coconut oil. Nothing worked.
I saw this idea about the ACV and WOW! i bathed him in oatmeal, did a wash of the ACV, green tea and distilled water and that was it. He hasnt scratched or made that horrible noise of eating himself since. I know he had fleas and possibly allergic to the flea dander-poor thing it is summer so there is no relief. But finally something WORKED! i have a spray bottle of ACV for the dog. AMAZING! I am so happy i found your advice on this!! thank you!! 🙂
I’ve had a big problem with my pomeranian having a bad case of fleas. I ended up shaving all her hair off. She’s allergic to flea bites have to give her benadryl. I started shampooing with dawn dish soap and tea tree full body wash, then white vinegar. I’m now using the apple cider vinegar, I did find a baby this morning that’s when I rubbed her down good with the mixture. I will add some to her food. I started this at 4 am this morning cause all she was doing was scratching so bad I had to do something. My question is will this help her scratching if given in her food so I can stop the benadryl? She get so exhausted! Also should I spray her down every time she goes outside to go potty? And can I spray the grass full strength or diluted? I pray she gets better soon she’s loaded with bites:(. Thank you
I have a 2 year old Schnauzer who is having problems with dry skin and fleas since we live in the Country so I will definitely be trying this with her. My biggest question is that I just got my Grandson a puppy and she is only 6 weeks old. Because of the other dog and from the outside environment, I have found fleas on the puppy as well. Is this safe to use in the puppies food as well and on her skin beings she is so young? How much would I put in each of their foods? Please help me out. I feel so terrible for my older dog because she’s scratching and making sores and I definitely don’t want a flea problem in my house nor do I want my puppy to develop problems.
I was looking for a way to get rid of gnats. We had them bad. They really like to bug you! I was looking around the net to find a remedy and found the vinegar remedy. So I got a small glass and put 3 tbs apple cider vinegar and 3 or 4 drops of dawn dish soap in it. I used a large foam drink cup from McDonalds for the trap. I made a little hole in the bottom (about and inch) and put the foam cup right on the glass bottom side down. The gnats will fly right through the hole and get trapped in the bottom glass. Not only does the apple cider attract them but the gnats also drop and drown in the mixture. Works every time. Thanks for the tip for flea remedy!
Heads up for use on dogs with sensitive pink skin! I mixed ACV half and half with water as instructed and rinsed my Bichon with it after a bath. He almost went into convulsions. I rinsed it off and had a few scary moments when it seemed he was going to vomit and have breathing difficulties.