How to Get Rid of Fleas in Dogs

Author:
Holle Abee
Updated:
Mar 21, 2023

When Fleas Take Over and Nothing Works

We’ve recently tried getting rid of fleas. It’s been an epic battle, so to speak. We have numerous outdoor semi-feral cats, and I’m sure they do their part in bringing parasites into our yard and to our back door. We sprinkle the cats with flea powder and apply liquid topical flea treatment when we can get close enough to the kitties.

We also have three indoor dogs, and one is a walking fleabag. I’m not sure why, but our Basset Hound is much more prone to these blood-sucking parasites than our Great Danes have ever been.

Before we adopted Sparky, the hound dog, we rarely saw fleas in our home or on the Danes. We use topical flea control on the big boys, and we assumed it would also work on Sparky. In the world of incorrect assumptions, this one was king.

Our Fight Against the Fleas Took Months

It took us months to finally discover a completely effective flea treatment—and that was just for the dog. For real flea control, you have to cover all your bases. You’ll also need to treat your home, your yard, and your pet’s sleeping spots.

Dog fleas are prolific breeders, and if you don’t stop the process in its tracks, you’ll be inundated with the tiny parasites. Read on to find out what kills fleas, the best flea treatment we’ve found, and other tips for getting rid of fleas.

Sparky's Miserable Flea Infestation

How do you get rid of fleas on dogs? What kills fleas? As far as Sparky is concerned, it’s been an uphill battle. We tried just about everything for flea control, but nothing was very effective—until recently. I’ll tell you more about that in the next section.

What We Tried First

Poor Sparky was miserable, and as responsible, caring owners, we wanted to relieve his discomfort. We tried several different brands of flea shampoo, but they had little effect. We also used several brands of topical flea control, which also didn’t help much.

At night, when the hound dog was sitting in my lap, I’d manually pick fleas from his skin and coat. Boy, dog fleas are tough little critters! I had to do some real “smashing” to kill the little buggers by hand.

How Do You Spot Flea Dirt and Flea Eggs?

Fleas on dogs are common, but Sparky seemed to have an uncommon amount of fleas and flea eggs. His skin and coat were wall-to-wall flea dirt. Flea dirt is the term used to describe the tiny black particles left behind by the parasites. It’s made up mostly of droppings, but it might also contain some particles of dried blood. Flea eggs are different, although they’re often found with flea dirt.

What do flea eggs look like? They’re tiny oval shapes that are pearlescent white. They almost resemble grains of salt. If you see an area on the skin or in the fur that resembles salt and pepper, it might very well be flea dirt and flea eggs. You might also find them on your pet’s bedding, where fleas are most likely to breed and lay eggs.

Why Are Some Breeds More Prone to Fleas Than Others?

Why do fleas like the Basset Hound so much better than the Danes? We haven’t figured this out yet. His coat is very similar to the Great Danes’ coats, so what about Sparky do the external parasites find so appealing?

I sometimes wonder if it’s because he’s so close to the ground. His belly is just a few inches from the dirt and grass when he’s outdoors, and when his head is down, his ears drag the dirt or grass. Maybe it’s just super easy for dog fleas to hitch a ride on a hound dog.

Our Great Danes have never had many fleas.
holle abee

Use Dawn Dish Soap to Get Rid of Fleas

We just found the best flea treatment we’ve ever used, and it’s cheap, easy to use, and readily available. Before I tell you what it is, let me tell you how we found out about it.

After the run-of-the-mill commercial flea treatment soaps and shampoos proved ineffective, we returned to the pet store and purchased the most expensive and most powerful flea shampoo they had. We followed all the directions on the bottle but were disappointed with the results. It did kill some fleas, but it barely put a dent in the crawling, hopping population residing in Sparky’s fur.

My husband returned to the pet store and explained our plight to the owner, adding that we’d already tried their “best” flea control products. Know what he told my husband? He said to use Dawn dishwashing liquid! When my husband came home and told me this, I was extremely skeptical. How would Dawn work when so many commercial flea remedies had failed?

However, we were pretty desperate by that time, so we tried Dawn. It was amazing—the best flea treatment ever! After using it, I examined Sparky closely, and I couldn’t find a single flea, egg, or any flea dirt.

Why Does Dawn Work So Well Against Fleas?

I’ve been trying to figure out why this easy flea treatment worked so well. It could be because Sparky has an oily coat, maybe more attractive than a drier coat as a parasite habitat. Dawn is a “grease cutter,” so maybe it got rid of the oil and, along with it, the fleas.

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If that’s the case, Dawn might not work as well for all dogs. On the other hand, I’ve read that Dawn is toxic to fleas. I’ve also read that the lather suffocates the fleas. I don’t know why or how it works—I just know that it does, in fact, work! It’s the best flea treatment we’ve found—hands down.

What kills fleas on dogs? Try Dawn dishwashing liquid!
holle abee

How to Use Dawn Soap to Kill Fleas on Dogs

I will explain how we use Dawn as an agent for flea control.

We fill the bathtub with warm water—about six inches deep.
We use a large plastic cup to wet Sparky’s coat thoroughly.
Next, we lather up Sparky’s chin and neck with Dawn. Why start there? When fleas feel threatened by liquids being applied to the host, they’ll usually try to seek “higher ground,” which in most cases is the animal’s head. If you apply the lather to the underside of the chin and around the neck first, the parasites will find their escape route blocked.
Apply the Dawn to the back, working the lather into the skin.
From the back, move down to the sides.
Apply the soap to the tail, working it in against the way the hair grows.
Work on the chest and belly next, followed by the legs and paws.
Leave the dog lathered up for five minutes, then use a dog brush to brush the coat all over, except for the head and ears. Dying fleas will often cling firmly to the dog’s skin, so using the brush will help loosen their death grip.
Rinse the dog with clean water. You should see dead fleas and flea dirt in the dirty water in the tub.
To remove fleas from the head and ears, apply a small amount of Dawn to a wet washcloth. Wipe the face and the inside and outside of the ears with the cloth.
Wait five minutes, then wipe the areas with a soap-free wet cloth.
Use your fingers to examine the head and ears for any surviving fleas.
Once you’ve completed all these steps, drain the dirty water and refill the tub with clean water. Repeat the bathing steps.

The second bathing process should take care of any tough individual fleas that might have survived the first treatment. Make sure to rinse the dog thoroughly and not leave any soap residue behind to irritate the skin.

You will probably need to repeat this process a couple of days later. It's vital to note that only shampooing your dog with Dawn and/or pet shampoos is not going to take care of a flea problem—read on to find out how to fix a flea infestation in your dog's environment. This is absolutely necessary to rid your dog of fleas once and for all.

Note on Dawn Use

Dawn can be extremely irritating and drying on the skin. For dogs with allergies, Dawn may trigger dermatitis. Consider using this technique minimally to avoid over-drying and discomfort.

One way to help avoid too much skin irritation is to alternate using Dawn and a regular dog shampoo since this process will require at least a few bathings. If you notice increased redness/inflammation of your dog’s skin or hair loss, you might want to stop using Dawn and switch to a dog shampoo for sensitive skin.

Fleas can hide in furniture, carpet, bedding—anywhere your dog frequents.
holle abee

Fighting Fleas in the House

We don’t have a lot of fleas “running loose” in our house. Most of the tiny vampires are happily hitching rides on our pooches. Once in a great while, we might see a “loose” flea, but such occasions are out of the norm, probably because we have all hardwood floors. Back when we had a lot of carpeted rooms, however, fleas in the house were a big problem.

Using Flea Powder or Borax

I generously sprinkled the carpet with flea powder and then vacuumed it after a couple of hours. I repeated the process for three days, and on the fourth day, I vacuumed thoroughly without using any flea powder. The process worked to get rid of fleas in the house.

Some people use the same process with Borax, and excellent results have been reported. Borax can be harmful to cats, however, so if you have felines in your home, you’ll probably want to use cat-safe flea powder instead.

When my mom got fleas in the house in her upholstered furniture, she sprinkled flea powder under the cushions. She also sprinkled some common table salt there. She got rid of fleas in her furniture, but I don’t know whether the powder or salt did the trick. Maybe it was the “double whammy” that worked. Crushed mothballs might work here, too.

Using a Flea Bomb

Other methods for fleas in the house might work, too. If the pest infestation is really bad, you might consider using a flea bomb. Use one that contains an insect growth regulator (IGR).

Shampooing Carpets and Rugs

I’ve also spoken with pet owners who shampoo their carpet and rugs with a solution of Dawn and warm water, which seems effective. Some homeowners actually combine a little Dawn with water in a spray bottle and mist their floors with it.

Washing Bedding and Other Fabrics

You’ll also need to take care of your dog’s bedding. If your pet has fleas, its bedding and blankets most likely contain flea eggs. You can wash the bedding in hot water and Dawn liquid and then dry it in the clothes dryer. You’ll also need to wash your sheets, bed coverings, and any small rugs and throws your dog is fond of.

Using Conquer Insecticide

Another excellent flea treatment for inside your home is Conquer insecticide. It’s safe to use indoors and out, so we use it in both places. I like Conquer because it’s odorless, unlike many other insecticides. The effective residuals last for about a month, too, so it’s not like you have to spray your yard and home for flea control every time you turn around.

And, by the way, this is the stuff many professionals use for getting rid of fleas and other insects. You can save a lot of money by doing flea control yourself.

Conquer provides great flea control.
holle abee

How to Remove Fleas From Your Yard

Getting rid of fleas is usually a multi-step process. If you have fleas in your yard, you must get rid of them for proper flea control. It amazes me that so many pet owners overlook this integral part of the flea treatment puzzle.

Think about it: Even if you kill every flea and flea egg in your home and on your pets, you’ll wind up with another infestation if you don’t take proper steps to get rid of fleas outdoors. Unless your dog is trained to use a human toilet, it will have to make several trips outdoors every day to relieve itself. If fleas are living in your yard, they will hop on your pooch as it passes by.

Using Conquer Residual Insecticide Concentrate

My husband sprayed our yard with Conquer Residual Insecticide Concentrate, which kills fleas, ticks, termites, ants, roaches, and spiders. He mixed it with water in a regular garden sprayer and treated our lawn. It works best if you mow your grass first, at least a day or two before spraying the fleas in the yard with Conquer.

Based on our results, I can recommend this product. If you prefer not to use chemicals like insecticides, you can find natural products that might be just as effective. After treating the yard, the house, the dogs, and the bedding, we finally find that we’re getting rid of fleas.

I don't want the grandkids exposed to flea-borne diseases!
holle abee

How Fleas Affect Dog Health and Human Health

Try to imagine how it must feel for fleas to be crawling on you and biting you. Dogs with fleas can be miserable. Fleas can also affect dog health, and not just through the stress and annoyance of the itching and biting, either. Dog fleas can cause some pretty serious health problems in canines, and some can even be spread to humans.

Flea Allergy Dermatitis

Some dogs have flea allergies. The correct term for this is flea allergy dermatitis, an allergic reaction not to the fleas themselves but the flea saliva. When a flea bites a dog to get a blood meal, the insect leaves behind some of its saliva.

If the dog or puppy is allergic, it will react with red and swollen skin, excessive licking and biting, and almost constant scratching. Openings in the skin caused by scratching can invite bacteria to enter. Hair loss often occurs with flea allergy dermatitis, causing hairless red patches or “hot spots.”

Tapeworms

Dog fleas spread tapeworms, too. Fleas ingest the eggs of tapeworms, and when a dog swallows such a flea, the eggs are passed on to the canine. The hatched tapeworms set up shop in the dog’s intestine, and they can grow to several feet in length. And yes, humans can get a tapeworm infestation by accidentally swallowing fleas.

Typhus

And here’s something really alarming: fleas carry typhus. For a long time, it was believed that fleas carried endemic typhus on rats only, but that’s changed. Typhus-infected fleas have also been found on dogs. More specifically, this is murine typhus, caused by the bacteria Rickettsia typhi. The infected fleas don’t cause typhus in dogs, but dogs can carry the fleas. Instead of the infamous Typhoid Mary, your pooch could be Typhus Fido.

Tularemia (Rabbit Fever)

Have you ever heard of tularemia? Here in the Deep South, we usually call this disease “rabbit fever” because rabbit hunters can get the disease from handling and skinning their infected rabbits. Fleas and ticks can also carry tularemia. Tularemia is rare now in the United States, but it hasn’t been totally eradicated.

Hemotropic Mycoplasmosis (Haemobartonellosis)

Here’s an infection I’ll bet you’ve never heard of: hemotropic mycoplasmosis, or haemobartonellosis. This disease in dogs is caused by bacterial parasites that damage red blood cells. Dogs with healthy spleens might not be affected much, but in some cases, the bacteria can be fatal if not properly treated in time. Ticks and fleas can spread the bacteria.

Sources and Further Reading

Conquer Residual Insecticide Concentrate – Directions for Use
Can You Use Dawn Dish Soap to Kill Fleas on Pets? | PetMD
Dawn dish soap can clean oil off wildlife, but does it kill fleas on pets? See what vets have to say about using Dawn dish soap for fleas.
How to Get Rid of Fleas: A Combination Approach | Heathline
If left untreated, a flea infestation can stick around indefinitely. Here's how to get rid of fleas in your home, yard, and on your pet.
Get Rid of Fleas in Your Home | Fetch by WebMD
Don't let fleas live in your home. Get them off your pets and out of your house with these flea control methods.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Comments

Keith Webster on July 11, 2020:

What a great website it sure lives up to its name it is very helpful! Thank you so much!

Phyllis on September 25, 2018:

After the bath with dawn soap, will it continue to work 1 to 2 days later or does it stop working after the bath

Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on June 22, 2017:

Jo, thanks for the info!

Jo on June 22, 2017:

The reason washing up liquid works is that like baby soap or pure soap it lathers well. The lather blocks the tracheoles in the sides of the flea (most insects absorb oxygen this way as obviously they don't have lungs... Also why you don't find huge insects, but that is another story. Therefore this 'suffocates' the flea and they wash off dead. I suggest you leave the dog lathered for a good 5-10 mind and if using detergent don't get in their eyes or mouth, soap is better and works just as well.

Habee on August 19, 2016:

You're welcome, Debbie! Even our vet recommends Dawn for fleas.

Debbie on August 18, 2016:

This was a very helpful tip with the Dawn liquid soap for killing fleas I'm going out tomorrow to purchase for my dog thank you.

Flea advice on July 31, 2016:

Good afternoon..... Dawn has an ingredient in it that breaks down the outer shell of fleas which in turn results in them dehydrating and dying. It does not however repel fleas so keep this in mind. For those who do not wish to use toxins in their yard, can easily purchase a canister that attaches to your hose (like one you put miracle grow in) put Dawn dish soap in it, attach to hose and spray yard down in Dawn. be sure to get all the nooks and crannies, fencing, around house, grass, etc. Apply to all yards (front, back, sides) at least 1x every 2 weeks and should remain flea free. Also, as a deterrent, I know many saw garlic is toxic to dogs, it is not if given in appropriate amounts, I am a Pomeranian breeder and have given garlic to my dogs for years never having an issue (my daughters give to their dogs as well), crushed garlic mixed in their food; 1/8 tsp 2x's a wk works great, but can also (if can tolerate the smell) mix crushed garlic in a bowl of warm water (1 tsp for every gal), stir until it dissolves (or almost dissolves), pour over dog and rub in completely, start at back of neck between ears, then around (careful not to get into eyes & nose), yes do head area first as fleas will scurry to head and face in dog will possibly swallow or inhale fleas. Work mixture through dogs coat, along back, belly, legs and tail (Do Not Forget Tail), also get underarm areas (inner parts of upper legs). Once thoroughly worked in, allow to dry, rinse well (Garlic Water kills fleas and acts as a deterrent).

alvaro on May 24, 2016:

your tips help me yust as always what will i do without ya :)

Ann on April 08, 2016:

I am surprised that people still think that Dawn is appropriate to use on dogs. the manufacturers tell you not to wash your dog in Dawn. I strips all of your dogs body oils off and leaves the skin totally dry. It takes days for these oils to be produced and cover thespian again. Dogs, like humans, need a shampoo that has a proper PH and using anything else will harm the skin. Your vet has products that are wonderful and safe. There is nothing that will keep fleas off a dog so ridding the environment of fleas and flea eggs is of the utmost importance.

Kristi on April 07, 2016:

Pantene Classic Clean is better than Dawn in my opinion. I worked for a vet and they used sulfate washes, which is the 2nd ingredient in Pantene. The fleas die immediately and don't latch onto the coat, so you only have to rinse. Absolutely amazing and I feel that it works 10 times better than Dawn. It's cheap, you can buy it everywhere and can use it on animals with sensitive skin.

SarahKuhl on November 30, 2015:

Vets ... Idk they wanted to have my male apbt neutered despite his severe heart murmur so... I try homeopathic always.

Rocky, prone to allergies, got fleas at 7 (first time ever). I bathed him in dawn, salt and a tad of vinegar. I got in the tub with him (yes I'm nuts) and watched them fall off and die. One bathe.

Around the house I sprinkled baking soda with essential oils and salt. Then vacuumed. For more "common areas" I used blue dawn, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. In a week fleas gone. Rocky, because of his heart, cannot handle benadryl so I gave him half a claritin if he started chewing or acting anxious. After his baths I put a/d on any "hot spots" and rubbed his fur with oils to keep him from drying out.

Boyd Hamilton on August 11, 2014:

From a veterinarian's perspective, I am extremely skeptical of your article. While bathing a dog in Dawn may be safe, cheap, and effective short-term, it is very unlikely to continue to work over time. There are many terrible commercial products available that don't work at all- I completely agree. But the prescription products work tremendously well and over the long-term. There are also products that treat fleas, ticks, intestinal parasites, and prevent heartworm all in one treatment. Finally, "Frontline" is now available as a generic "Pet Armour" that is available at Walmart and several pet stores, so you no longer need a prescription for that product. All you do is apply between the shoulder blades and vacuum the house (as 90% of the flea burden is in eggs that are in the environment). I would recommend these products over bathing the pet in Dawn and having to deal with all of the house treatments that you suggest. These products are also available for cats, which is a much easier treatment than having to bathe the cat! (which can be a total nightmare).

Phillip Grobler from Polokwane on June 30, 2014:

Here in South Africa we have the Khaki bush that grows wild, when you touch it, it has an epic smell, by planting these around the garden ticks and fleas decrease a lot, including flies. You can also boil it and apply it to pets with no side affects, the only bad part would be the smell. Great Hub +up+useful

BudgetPetCare from US on April 17, 2014:

Very useful tips you have shared. As the flea and tick season just started, you post will be a great source to remove fleas. Thanks Habee

bonnie57 on March 31, 2014:

I've used Dawn on my dogs for years, cheap and very effective. And table salt sprinkled on carpeted floors and furniture works great, sprinkle, leave on 24 hours, vacuum, repeat!

Beth37 on January 14, 2014:

So interesting. We have a dog that's half basset, half beagle and we've had the same problem with him. So glad to have this information. Maybe this summer will be better for him.

Crystal Wersinger from McAdoo on January 10, 2014:

What best treatment for lawn without harming wildlife and fruits?

Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on January 10, 2014:

crystal, have you treated your lawn?

Crystal Wersinger from McAdoo on January 10, 2014:

We live in northern Pennsylvania with two dogs and two cats one bunny a lot of fur with million extra guests don't leave. We've had tried dawn, flea dip and frontline plus with no luck.

I worry about fleas every summer fleas can give people diseases. Every time I got bite I would feel sick . What best way to prepare for fleas this summer?

nicey on October 29, 2013:

Help please I had a dog, she was stolen a week ago I found out she had fleas they day she was stolen. Last night i woke up and had very small fleas all on my socks and feet. I put flea power under my couch cushion and under the couch I sprayed the couch and cleaned the house very well with bleach and flea spray. Well I took a nap on my sprayed but now covered with a sheet couch and still woke up to see not as many but fleas around 10 small ones this time while the first time I had like 40 on me how can I get rid of these pesty pest and is my house infested cause this is the most I've seen ever before btw I had my dog for over a year and bathe her twice a month and only seen a total of maybe five on her at a time btw when she was stolen I had her collar off her for a week and notice she was doing a lot of scatching so I checked her and found about 20 large fleas on her please help cause she is no longer in the home but the fleas are