Make Homemade Flea Spray for Cats and Dogs

Written by:  • Edited by: Niki Fears
Updated Jul 7, 2010

Homemade flea sprays are natural and safer than the flea repellents you will find at pet stores. They are also easy to make, and they prevent your pet from getting diseases that fleas often carry. With a few ingredients and a little time, you can make homemade flea spray.

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When your pets get fleas, it can cause you a big headache. They can get into the carpets and any other soft fabrics and start biting you too. Pets can get fleas during all of the seasons, especially in the winter when the weather temporarily warms up. To prevent your pet from coming into contact with those pesky fleas, a natural flea repellent can provide an excellent barrier between your pet’s skin and the fleas. Below are some tips to make homemade flea spray.

Store Products vs. Homemade Flea Spray

Making a flea spray at home can be less expensive and just as effective as the ones you find at pet stores. Not only is it cost-efficient, but it’s also convenient, because most of the ingredients that go into the homemade flea repellants are ones that you usually keep in your refrigerator or kitchen pantry.

The best part about homemade flea spray is that it’s nontoxic and safer to use on your dog or cat. Many of the store bought flea sprays contain toxic chemicals that your pets will end up ingesting when they lick their paws and clean their fur. Using natural ingredients can keep your mind at ease and prevent your pet from having an upset stomach, skin irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. So what is a good homemade flea spray for dogs and cats?

Flea Spray Recipes

Mixing equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle can be an effective and cheap flea repellent. Mist the solution onto your pet’s coat and work it in with your hands or a brush. This solution is free of fragrance and skin-irritating chemicals.

Another option, which is just as easy, is to thinly slice a couple lemons and boil one pint of distilled water. Place the lemon slices in a heat safe container and pour the boiling water over them. It’s best to prepare this solution ahead of time so it has a chance to steep overnight. To apply, use a cotton ball and dab it into the mixture and stipple you’re your pet’s fur (avoid soaking your pet). The citrus oils from the lemon will naturally repel the fleas.

Both of these recipes can be used on dogs and cats, and these treatments should be repeated every couple of days to ensure that your pet is protected. Please keep in mind that cats will be more reluctant to cooperate because of how these treatment smells and the fact that they involve wetting down the fur. However, protecting your pet from fleas, regardless of how much of a hassle it can be, can keep your home itchy and disease free.

Sources Used

  • Paw Rescue at http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_InsectPrevention.php
  • "Eliminate Fleas without Poisons" from The Whole Dog Journal at www.homevet.com/petcare/documents/fleacontrol.pdf


Comments

Showing all 58 comments
 
Highmountainsp Dec 22, 2011 4:25 PM
RE: Make Homemade Flea Spray for Cats and Dogs
<br><br><br><br><br>Some time ago I left a comment about using food grade Diatomacious Earth (food grade!) thinking it was safe because I was assured by the co. it could be used on pets for flea control without ill effects. I don't believe this is true!!! My cat has been diagnosed with Chronic Bronchitis!!! And the vet told me to stop using the D E . She has been on Terbutaline now for 3 months and no change. She never goes out and has never had a cold. The Crystallized form of D E causes serious lung problems and I believe the food grade does also!!! It is ok to use outside but not on the animals. In my opinion it should never be used around our pets or farm animals. If my cat did not have problems with a kidney infection I would have never known she was having a problem breathing. She used to choke when I picked her up but I thought that was due to her weight. I am sorry to have advocated something so truly dangerous.
Daniel Dunn Dec 21, 2011 11:07 AM
RE: Make Homemade Flea Spray for Cats and Dogs
This post was very nicely written, and in addition it contains many useful facts. I enjoyed your distinguished way of writing this post.
Puppy Diarrhea Treatment Dec 3, 2011 11:27 AM
RE: Make Homemade Flea Spray for Cats and Dogs
Can't beat home remedies!.
Lillian Rios Nov 25, 2011 11:30 AM
RE: Make Homemade Flea Spray for Cats and Dogs
Very interesting information shared..I am very happy to read this article..really thank you for giving us nice info.Fantastic walk-through. I appreciate this site
emma searle uk somerset Oct 8, 2011 6:40 PM
water and white vin
Have just covered one of my dogs a white staff witht the vin and water trick after spending money on frontline flea powder flea spray flea spot on and flea bath and nothing working so far im willing to try anything (thats safe ) so fingers crossed as if this dont work think im going to get the clippers out and have bold dogs lol (not that I would ) never had this before in my life with fleas whats going on are FLEAS TAKING OVER the world good luck guys x
debbie Sep 14, 2011 12:37 AM
homemade remedies work
I mixed 50% salt & 50% baking powder in a shaker container. I then sprinkled it on my carpets & upholstery and let sit for three days. (It may have worked faster, but I didn't want to take any chances) During the three days I covered my upholstery and some carpet where traffic is heavy with sheets, only for comfort. I washed all of my blankets, sheets, and any table cloths in hot water and put them in the dryer. After three days I swept every nook and cranny of my house......no more fleas. For my cat, who was sadly enough, the culprit (by no fault of hers)... I made a mixture of lemon rinds & water and steeped for an hour. I let this mix set overnight and transferred it to a spray bottle. I lightly sprayed my cat with this mixture making sure I covered every part of her. (do not get in their eyes, of course) It worked, no more fleas, she is back to her normal self again. Good luck to all as this is a terrible problem to have.
Camille Aug 23, 2011 11:46 AM
Natural flee killer!!!
I tried vinigar for weeks, lemon water for weeks, and some supposedly ecofriendly spray from Home depot that made my cat very sick for a month because it had eccential oils in it and they are toxic to cats and it ruined my carpets!. The lemon water made my cats fur stick together and she got diarrea. The vinigar made her smell awfull and neither one killed the flees including the ecofriendly spray.
The NATURAL DE works great! once in a while I see a dot of flee poo on the counter and I dust my kittie again and it stops them dead!
Alice Aug 20, 2011 6:43 PM
Dawn Dish Soap
I've been trying to get fleas off my cat - she went outside with me for the first time and enjoyed exploring the shrubbery and came in with fleas, which I didn't realize until I saw her staring at a flea on the bed next to me when I woke up in the morning!
I first used a foaming cat 'bath' so I wouldn't have to get her all wet, and I put a natural flea product (says it kills fleas) which smelled so strongly that it irritate my nose -- I figured it must really be irritating to my cat's nose!
NEXT I gave her a real bath using DAWN dish soap. It was probably not a very thorough bath and her head didn't get wet, but it seems to have worked! Today, I noticed she's still scratching her head and neck and so I combed her with the flea comb -- no fleas anywhere, except her head and neck! SO, I'm thinking DAWN dish soap really works!
I made a Lemon oil solution by boiling lemon peels in water and put it in a spray bottle. I put that on her head and neck, so we'll see how that works.
So far, DAWN dish soap works. I got DAWN with Olay (soft on your hands) which also left her fur VERY SOFT!
Rebecca Jun 1, 2011 11:25 PM
Adams flea Spray
Adams flea spray which is LABELED for cats, nearly killed my 5 year old cat. He had severe muscle tremors and twitching, This product was used correctly and still left my cat NEXT TO DEAD. now $800.00 and much distress later i MAY get to pick him up tomorrow. DO NOT USE THIS ON YOUR CATS IF YOU LOVE THEM!!!
Bill Brice Apr 24, 2011 9:40 PM
ADAMS plus Flea & Tick Mist Poisoned my cat!
ADAMS plus Flea & Tick Mist killed my cat. Please do not use it on a cat. I am waiting to get the results back of her necropsy. After the results are in I am going to campaign to have the label changed.
Reb Furr Mar 25, 2011 3:15 PM
DON'T put ADVANTIX on cats!!!
Advantix will kill your cat! Don't use it and don't use it on your dog if you have a cat that goes around the dog. It is highly TOXIC to cats! Advantage without the TIX medication for ticks is okay to use but I've had much better luck with Frontline and they don't put known toxins to cats in their products.
Reb Furr Mar 25, 2011 3:12 PM
WD40 bad idea
I would never put chemicals on my cat that weren't tested and manufactured for that purpose. You risk your pet's life doing crazy stuff like that. I wouldn't want that stuff on my skin and sure wouldn't put it on my cat.
Reb Furr Mar 25, 2011 3:09 PM
Advantix kills cats
NEVER use Advantix on your cat!! It will kill them! Advantage is fine but the stuff they put in Advantix for the ticks is toxic to cats.. Bayer's way of scaring people away from buying large dog flea meds and dividing it up to dose multiple cats. Gotta love our capitalist society. Killing people's pets in the name of making money. Shameful. Frontline is better and neither vrersion is toxic to your cat. Sorry to hear about the hurt cats.
Jordyn Long Mar 24, 2011 4:53 PM
Vinegar
I just put vinegar on my dogs and now I am waiting.... How often do I put the vinegar on as like a follow up?
Autumn Mar 22, 2011 11:21 PM
i tried the citrus one
I tried the citrus kid, but it didn't really work. my dog still has a ;itle fleas. :(
Autumn Mar 22, 2011 11:19 PM
it worked!
yay! this totally worked! woo hoo! :)
MaryAnn Mar 22, 2011 12:51 PM
flea
terra what did you use that you diluted 1:1? vinegar or lemon?
Jessica Mar 15, 2011 8:28 PM
Re: Cats
@ Betty Quackenbush. I am curious as to which K9 Advantix product you used? Because to me, K9 means canine and as far as I knew you are not supposed to use dog pesticide products on cats? Although, I had a look on the Bayer website earlier and it is rather confusing as to which product can be used on cats, on one page it said you cannot use K9 advantix on cats and another one said you could! I think they must have a K9 advantix product specifically for cats, but after reading the reactions your cats have had it makes me wonder whether someone has accidently given you the wrong product. Or that perhaps your cats have licked eachother and ingested some of the product that way? My prayers and thoughts are with you and your cats at this distressing time.
Jess Mar 14, 2011 3:20 PM
re: cats
Betty, flea or any other pest control meant for dogs (K9= Canine) should never be used on cats as they cannot process them in the same way. There's a reason they make separate products for these animals, unfortunately you had to find out the hard way. What I would like to know is who told you to use the K9 product? I am so sorry this happened to you, I have a cat myself and would be devastated if something like this happened to her. I sincerely hope that the vet can find something that helps.
AlvinCampbell Feb 28, 2011 3:15 AM
RE: Make Homemade Flea Spray for Cats and Dogs
I read about home made flea sprays through this site. a few ingredients and a little time, you can make homemade flea spray. Making a flea spray at home can be less expensive and just as effective.
Billy Beg Feb 18, 2011 7:17 AM
RE: Make Homemade Flea Spray for Cats and Dogs
garlic is seriously toxic to dogums and dogums!!!!!!!
Betty Quackenbush Feb 14, 2011 1:34 PM
Cats
I have approx. 22 cats and they were
dosed with K9 Advantik Dec. 18th.
Did not realize until end of Dec. when
my favorite could not take sound or
movement. I took her to the Vet he gave hersome shots and said her eyes were going back and forth. She now also has a head movement my Vet said Brain Damage. The other twenty then started to bite chew and scratch and
try to run away from themselves. It is now Feb. Vet said cats have damage to their Nervous System. Spoke to a woman from Bayer and she said this could not be true. It would not hurt them as there in no poison in it orToxic chemical to get into their system this is not true I know what I see. Very shallow breathing on all. One cat if you rub her back will go into seizures. These were my breeding stock.
Cats are on Valiumm 1/4 tablet twice a day. But that does not last for long. Also prelone syrup for
allergic reaction, but not together
don't know what to use now.
Paul Jan 23, 2011 2:17 PM
fleas lube job
I know that this sounds horrible, but I used WD40 spray (small spot area only) on one of my barn cats that was was pitiful with fleas and was even getting a mange like fungus on his skin withhair loss and all from his scratching and biting. After about 2 weeks he started growing his hair back and had no fleas. I have been told that WD49 works, so I tried it, I feel that it works. If you try this. Only try a small spot of treatment only. Let me know if it works for you. Thanks
Mary Camille Jan 15, 2011 7:38 AM
Vinegar
Vinegar as well as lemon burns the flea bites.
Mary Camille Jan 15, 2011 7:37 AM
Basil
Don't use Basil essential oil it is toxic to cats as are other essential oils. The water should be OK. The spice caused my cat to vomit. God Bless
Mary Jan 14, 2011 5:44 AM
What helped.
I have a cat with long hair. She does not go out. But other cats hang out outside my home so my cat had a horrible problem with fleas this past summer. The lemon spray made her stomach sick. The Eco friendly spray caused her to be sick for a month, she did not want to eat for 3 days, stopped using the litter and used the carpet , and was constipated for several days because she didn't eat. It also has essential oils in it and they are toxic to cats!!! The vinigar was ok but she stunk awful, it burned the flea bites, and still had a problem. Salt was no good because she was washing herself and got it into her eyes from her paws on the carpet and could not open her eyes for 3 days, so sad. The baking soda was ok to rub into the carpets but not salt.
I found Diatomacious earth rubbed into her fur mostly on her back near her tail and rubbed into the carpet where whe spends most of her time worked the best. Be careful not to cause the dust to go into their nose when you apply it . Once it is applied there is no problem unless you don't rub it in and leave clumps of it. AND BE SURE TO USE FOOD GRADE, NOT THE ONE FOR THE POOL IT IS DIFFERENT AND CAN CAUSE VERY SERIOUS RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS!
I had no problems with the food grade powder I even take it myself.
Boric acid used under the couch, oven , fridge and anywhere the pets and children cannot get to also kills fleas, ants, roaches, etc. Be sure it is nowhere pets or children can get to. Same with Borox, not as good as Boric acid.
I pray this helps , God knows we need his his help, God Bless.
annamaria Jan 6, 2011 2:45 AM
basil leaves
I hear that basil leaves steeped in hot water as a tea and sprayed on your pet before they go out keeps ticks and fleas off of them because they hate basil im going to try it
Louise Nov 23, 2010 8:11 AM
Fleas
Cats hate citrus fruits so I think this recipe would be harder to use with cats.
Barbara Weaver Nov 7, 2010 12:22 AM
Fleas
@ Kerri ... as long as your furniture and the dog bed is dry, you should be able to use the salt and baking soda mixture. As apartment managers, we've found that this is by far the easiest way to kill fleas on carpets and most furniture. Just sprinkle it lightly across the furniture at night, and the next day vacuum it off. Fleas don't stick to hard surfaces, so you shouldn't need to do anything to the hardwood floors.
Barbara Weaver Nov 7, 2010 12:16 AM
Fleas
@mikealice .. As it is the oil in lemon that is lethal to cats, and it takes about 100 lemons to make 1 oz of oil, and they would need to ingest it, I would think it is unlikely that this mild solution will harm a cat.
mikealice Oct 25, 2010 9:14 AM
lemon juice
We have been rescuing cats for over 20 years and all the information we have says that lemon juice is lethal to cats.
Mandi Oct 23, 2010 8:53 PM
Horrible Fleas this October,,Fall season
We have 4 grown cats, and a new kitten just 10 weeks old, We also have a small Pug dog that is just over a year old. We live in a sandy,pine tree covered area. We have always used the "frontline" as a preventive measure,but no matter what we have done this year we are failing with Fleas and Ticks,also Deer Ticks!!After spending near 150$ in sprays,30 day treatments,soaps,sprays for the furniture/carpet, etc... I am going to give this a try with using the vinegar and water on pets and the baking soda/salt on my carpet,,,I pray it works!! I am so sick of FLEAS ,,they are biting my 3 year old all over and I also have seen a few bites on myself. I feel aweful for our pets,I would like to know why this year they are so bad?? We have never ever had a problem! Thanks for the advice everyone,I will post back when I see how it works.
debbie Oct 18, 2010 5:12 PM
fleas
ive used stronghold on my cavalier king charles and it hasnt worked ive sprayed rip all ova house twice and hoover every day and still he scratches im goin to try the vinegar and baking soda one wish me luck
Brenda Oct 1, 2010 6:43 PM
Fleas
Don't use yeast .... my neighbor gave me some and said to feed it to my four cats.I put some in a bowl and left it beside their water ... three of them ate very little but one loved it and after a couple of days of eating it her face was so swollen on one side... i took it away and by the next morning it was back to normal and she still has fleas
kerri Sep 16, 2010 4:07 PM
fleas in my home
i dont have carpets but my dog has his own couch and regularly gets on ours and i believe there would more than likely be fleas on them and i have hard wood floors. I i dont know if using the baking soda and salt on them would be good. I was wondering what i could use on my furniture that is safe and if i should do anything special with the hard surfaces.
debbie Aug 15, 2010 7:49 PM
apple cider vinegar
if you use acv straight 0n your pets it will burn---you have to dilute it in a spray with water
Lillian Aug 12, 2010 8:50 PM
Terra "It worked!"
"...1:1 dilution..." of what worked? Please do share.
Camille Aug 12, 2010 4:51 AM
not eco-smart
Several weeks ago I used a product called Eco-smart. It is supposed to be safe for children and pets according to the label, but it was not at all. My cat did not eat for two days after I used it then she had a very upset stomach with the runs and not using the litter box at all for days. It was a nightmare and it took a month to get her back to normal. It also burned my feet so I know it burned hers and she would not walk on the floor for a long time. It has 4 essential oils in it and they are toxic to cats I did the research. It did kill the bugs but the next day you need to spray again (outside).
God Bless.
Camille Aug 12, 2010 3:44 AM
Flea problems
I read somewhere on tht web that the Essential oils can be toxic for cats and can kill a kitten so I don.t use it any more . But the baking soada on the carpets and the diatomacious earth has worked well. I hope to shampoo my carpets soon uning vinegar and 1 teaspoon of dawn with hot water.
I would not use borax where my cat goes because boric acid is not good for cats or children. But I do use it under and behind things they cannot get to.
God bless and kill the fleas please.
Rhonda Aug 11, 2010 12:39 PM
getting rid of fleas
My vet told me to use the frontline every 3 weeks rather than once a month. I have been using it for quite some time. It's not working. My niece used the borax and salt treatment and found d ead fleas every where. I'm getting the stuff today!
TJ Aug 10, 2010 6:05 PM
flea repellent
try washing your cat or dogs in the bathtub using Dawn Dish Soap works good , for awhile anyway
Joyce Aug 7, 2010 9:52 PM
white vinegar for flea control
My cat, 4 yr old neutered male, has semi-long hair. Fleas on him have been bad this year. He's a completely indoor cat and don't know how he got them. Anyone who visits me who has pets, haven't had fleas on their animals. Hartz Mountain flea ampules and 7-month flea collar have reacted on his neck and shoulder blade skin badly. I'm in Orillia, Ontario, Canada, and in order to buy Advantage here, you have to spend $65 for a vet's appointment in order to have the first application done, plus the cost of the product. I've had animals all my life (64 years old now) and worked for a vet in my 20's. I know how to apply it. So am eager to try holistic remedies for him and myself.
Camille Jul 28, 2010 3:03 AM
Flea remedies
I tried Diatomacious earth. It helped but kittie looked like she had been hit with a bag of whole wheat flour all the time. I gave her a bath in 1 cup of baking soda, and dawn with eucaliptus oil in it, that worked great !!! The fleas died and floated to the top of the water. I put 20 drops in the bottle of dawn.
I also have been sprinkling baking soda on my carpets so it could dry up the fleas and keeping my fans on all the time. The fleas die when they get dried up. I have also been putting basil and eucaliptus oil ( a few drops) on my cat every day and on a velvet collar. I rub it all over her, but just a few drops and it is helping. I don't want to use the chemicals on her, too much bad press and it makes scense. God Bless
Sharon Marsden Jul 27, 2010 12:07 PM
Fleas
I use the expensive brand on my outdoor kitties. They are very long haired and it works. But, nothing works on my house dog that is a dachshund and I am bathing her every other day. She gets sprayed in between with the vinegar and water. Hate to think how many fleas she would have if I did not. Worst year in Illinois for fleas ever!
I am going to try the garlic in food next!
Camille Jul 19, 2010 5:20 AM
Lemon
Tried the lemon it helped but made my cat sick as the vinigar did. Keep in mind vinigar burns the cats skin. It also burns mine. If the cat has flea bites it is going to be like alcohol. It is part acid.
I am spraying outside with vinigar and it is killing the bugs and keeping the stray cats from sitting on my front rug.
animal-monday Jul 16, 2010 3:42 PM
Worked for me, at least once.
Hmm. Jessabell said does not work. I put lemon juice on my dog, and I actually witnessed the fleas running for their lives. Maybe you have to apply it daily, but I saw the little buggers scattering!
Pets Mom Jun 18, 2010 1:41 PM
Flea protection
I have tried just about everything out on the market for my little dog and my cats. NOTHING is working. I am now mixing citronela oil, a base oil, rosemary oil and applying that to the dog. It does kill the fleas on the spot but it has to be done daily. I am going to use the vinegar on my floors as I have a steam mop and then I am going to make up the lemon for the animals. My cats go balistic when I try to use anything on them but I hold them down and they are totaly declawed. It is bad this year here in Florida and everyone is complaining. People who do not even own animals have fleas entering the house. They come in on out shoes and our clothes.

My little dog is a service dog and we went to a local eating establishment last night. He did not have one flea on him but picked them up from the carpet on the floor in the eating establishment. I wish everyone the best who is fighting fleas this season.
Leann Jun 17, 2010 8:52 PM
Other safe yet not so natural options
Try revolution....it's completely safe and 1 dose is good for the whole month for fleas, preventing the eggs from hatching, ear mites, heartworm and more! I have had cats (mostly outdoors, unless they were bringing me their portion of the rent...live birds and mice) kittens pups and dogs my whole life and none ever even put up a fuss when it was time to treat!!! I have never seen 1 flea in my house or on my furry friends....and that's all I used. I have added a link to the revolution site! check it out! Great stuff...your furry family members deserve the best protection...here it is!

https://www.revolution4cats.com/default.aspx
Susan Jun 15, 2010 3:33 PM
frontline
Used frontline on my cats and they started losing their hair around neck. Switched to frontline spray , symptoms not as severe but still irritation on skin. I will try this solution with vinegar and see how they do.
Marina Hanes Jun 13, 2010 1:55 PM
@Camille
I'm sorry if your comment was not posted. Maybe there was a glitch in the system. Please feel free to add your comment again. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Marina Hanes Jun 13, 2010 1:53 PM
Okay for Kittens?
I would check with your veterinarian before applying these solutions to a kitten since they are more sensitive to things. I would think the white vinegar and water would be okay, but the lemon one could irritate a kitten's skin depending on how sensitive the kitten is to things.
Caz Jun 12, 2010 5:08 PM
flea repellent
are these products ok for a kitten?
Camille Mary Jun 12, 2010 2:49 AM
fleas
why didn't you enter my comment from yesterday to Terra ? Your webpage said it would after it was approved? If it was not approved I would like to know why.
Camille Mary Jun 9, 2010 6:17 AM
flea spray for cat
What worked Terra? I have been spraying my cat with vinigar and water for weeks, she is still scratching . And she hates it, it smells awful .
I am going to start using a lemon.
Nez Jun 4, 2010 8:19 PM
Fleas
Frontline is a joke too! Rather natural way. Spend too much with that pet remedy from the stores.

Go natural!!!
Jessabell May 28, 2010 9:54 PM
Crock
Does not work. Is a crock. Get Frontline to resolve the issue with your pet, clean your house, and keep all floors clean. Steam carpets, you can rent a vac or have it professionally done.
Camille Mary May 9, 2010 2:12 AM
flea repellent
Why can't we just blend a lemon in a pint of water with all the skin on it to keep the fleas off the pet. Rather then boil water and slice the lemon and wait 24 hours to use it.
Terra Sep 12, 2009 8:47 PM
It worked!
amazingly this worked. I did 1:1 dilution in a spray bottle and sprayed her and worked it in. Within a minute those little fleas were dying. Yippee!
 
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