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How to Make Flea Shampoo

| Updated September 26, 2017

Things You'll Need

  • 1 cup unscented liquid dish soap

  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar

  • 1 cup distilled water

  • A few drops of cedar essential oil (for dogs only; not for use on cats)

  • Empty bottle, 24 oz. size or larger

  • Bucket (optional)

If there is one thing both dogs and cats are prone to, it is getting fleas. If your pet has fleas, it is only a matter of time before they spread to your pet's bedding, your carpeting and even the cracks and crevices in your floorboards. The first step in getting rid of these fleas is to give your pet a bath. A homemade flea shampoo can be used to successfully rid your pet of fleas. You can then work on removing the fleas from the rest of the house.

Place 1 cup of unscented liquid dish soap, 1 cup of apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of distilled water in a clean empty bottle. Shake to combine.

For a dog shampoo, add a few drops of cedar essential oil and mix one last time. If for a cat, do not add any essential oils; they are toxic for cats.

Fill a bathtub with two to three inches of lukewarm water if using the homemade flea shampoo on your dog. Fill a bucket with lukewarm water if using the flea shampoo on a cat. Cats are scared of running water. All Pets Info recommends setting your cat in an empty bathtub and using some water from a bucket as needed; or you can place the cat in a tall bucket or container filled with water.

Wet your pet's fur and apply the shampoo. Lather your pet and let the homemade flea shampoo remain for no less than five minutes. Five minutes is the amount of time it takes to successfully drown any fleas that are on your pet.

Rinse your pet off and dry as usual.

Tips

  • You can use rosemary or lavender essential oils instead of the cedar oil for your dog.