DIY Natural, Herbal Flea, Tick, Mosquito Repellent Sprays, Rubs, Dips, Rinse for Dogs and Cats

In this article:

Recipes to make your own all natural, non-toxic, herbal flea, tick, mosquito: 

1. Repellent topical sprays
2. Rubs
3. Dips
4. Rinse
5. Collar Drops
6. Spot-on Drops
   

 

1.0 Sprays

1.1 Fresh Lemon Bug Spray (for cats and dogs)

Fresh lemons and water make an excellent non-toxic easy to make mosquito spray with a refreshing scent. 

 

For the recipe go to this article.

 

 

1.2 Almond, Garlic, Lemon Oil-Based Sprays

Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Almond Oil, Citrus Bug Spray (for dogs only)

Pour the following ingredients in a spray bottle:

• 1 cup of water;
• 2 cups of organic apple cider vinegar;
• 2 tbs sweet almond oil or:
• 2 tbs lemon oil (see recipe below), or;
• 2 tbs garlic oil (see recipe below;
• Both almond oil and garlic contain sulfur - sulfur repels many types of insects including mosquitoes;
• 2 tbs of fresh squeezed lemon juice;
• Mosquitoes do not like citrus, especially lemon;
• For the lemon oil, this recipe uses fresh lemons and olive oil.  See the lemon oil recipe just below. Do NOT use lemon essential oil on cats or dogs.
  
• Shake well, and;
• Spritz your dog’s fur.

 Make your own lemon oil…

• You will need 2 lemons and 1 cup of olive oil.
• Preparation;
• Peel the rind from the lemons;
• Place oil and lemon rinds in a sauce pan;
• Place on a very low heat for 20 minutes;
• Allow to cool;
• Strain and pour into a bottle.

Make your own garlic oil…

For treating ear infections, making insect repellent, etc.  

• To prepare garlic oil you will need:
• A small, clean wide-mouth glass jar;
• Cheesecloth or other breathable clean cloth;
• Elastic band or string;
• Amber, brown or blue storage bottle;
• Garlic cloves;
• Virgin, or extra virgin olive oil (cold-pressed olive oil).
• Preparation:
• Remove the outer skin (also called 'paper') from the garlic cloves;
• Cut the garlic cloves into thin slices;
• Put the sliced garlic in the jar, leave a little space at the top of the jar empty;
• Pour the olive oil into the jar, making sure to add enough oil to completely cover the garlic - make sure that you leave some empty space at the top of the jar;
• Cover the top of the jar with a few layers of cheesecloth:
• Stretch the cheesecloth so it lays flat on top of the lid - if the cloth touches the oil it will absorb the oil and make a mess;
• Secure the cloth with string or an elastic band;
• Let the garlic/oil filled jar sit top cure, in a warm location for 10 to 14 days;
• Once the curing period is over, separate the garlic from the oil by straining the oil into an amber, brown or blue storage bottle;
• Store the Garlic Oil in the refrigerator.

1.3 Neem Oil Based Sprays and Rubs

Organic ¹Neem Oil Spray

• You'll Need
• ½ ounce (15 ml) organic neem oil (dogs). Cats, 1/4 ounce (7.5 ml) organic neem oil.
• If you want to make a stronger replant use 1 ounce (30 ml neem oil);
• ½ ounce (15 ml) organic glycerine or organic Castile soap;
• 2 cups (0.5 litre) warm water;
• Mixing bowl;
• Spray bottle.
• Preparation
• Pour the glycerine soap and warm water into the bowl – mix the resulting liquid;
• Slowly add the neem oil , mixing as you add the neem to the soap/water mixture;
• Pour the resulting liquid into a spray bottle;
• Use
• Spritz on fur.

¹ Caution for Neem Oil:

Neem oil breaks down after 8 hours, so only make enough spray  or rub for use within an 8 hour period, discard any unused spray and make more when required.

 
If you're using these Neem oil recipes on a breeding, pregnant or lactating animal make sure that you make the recipes using the neem oil at half strength.  

 

1.4 Essential Oil Blend Sprays

Witch Hazel and Essential Oil Spray (for dogs only)

• Fill an 8 once spray bottle with 4 oz distilled or boiled (cooled) water;
• Add enough witch hazel to almost fill the balance of the spray bottle - leave about 2" empty at the top of the bottle.
• Add essential oils:
• 10 drops of clove essential oil (if your dog is ²pregnant substitute use eucalyptus essential oil instead);
• 10 drops of  *rosemary essential oil.
• 10 drops of citrus (lemon, orange or grapefruit) essential oil .
• Shake well, and;
• Spritz your dog’s fur;
•  Don’t soak your dog’s or cat’s fur with this spray;
• Just mist your dog or cat with the spray;
• The scent of the essential oils repels the insects.

² Clove oil is a uterine stimulant and therefore should not be used on pregnant dogs.

Lavender Essential Oil and Tea Tree Oil Spray
(for dogs only)

• Fill a spray bottle with 1 cup of distilled or boiled (cooled) water;
• Add essential oils:
• 4 drops of Tea Tree Oil;
• 4 drops of Lavender Essential Oil;
• Shake well, and;
• Spritz your dog’s fur;
• Don’t soak your dog’s fur with this spray;
• Just mist your dog with the spray;
• The scent of the essential oils repels the insects.

Rosemary Essential Oil Spray
(for dogs and cats)

•  Fill a spray bottle with 1 cup of distilled or boiled (cooled) water;
• Add essential oils:
• 8 drops of *rosemary essential oil;
• Shake well, and;
• Spritz your dog’s or cat’s fur;
• Don’t soak your dog’s or cat’s fur with this spray;
• Just mist your dog or cat with the spray;
• The scent of the essential oils repels the insects.

 

1.5 Herbal Sprays

Coconut Oil, Peppermint, Lemon Grass Spray or Spot-On
(for cats and dogs)

 

In a Glass Bowl or Spray Bottle...

• Mix the following;
• 10 parts coconut oil (organic coconut oil is best), with
• 1 part peppermint or lemon grass (fresh crushed herb or alcohol-free essential oil)
• Apply as a spray-on repellent or as spot-on drops

Peppermint, Spearmint, Lavender, Cloves, Citronella Spray 

(for cats and dogs)

Use Fresh or Dried Herbs...

• Boil 1 cup of water;
• Place the following in a tea pot or pot;
• 1 tbsp peppermint, 
• 1 tbsp catnip or spearmint;
• 1 tbsp citronella or lemon grass;
• if you are making this spray for use on cats use lemon grass, don't use citronella;
• 1 tbsp lavender;
• if you are making this spray for use on cats you can use lavender or rosemary;
• ²4 (four) dried cloves. If your dog is ²pregnant use eucalyptus essential oil instead of cloves.
  
• If you are making this spray for use on cats leave the cloves out of the recipe;
• Pour the boiling water into the tea pot and stir the ingredients;
• Allow to steep and cool – make sure you place the lid on the tea pot of pot as it is important not to lose the volatile oils from the herbs;
• When cool, strain the herbs from the liquid;
• Mix the resulting solution with one of the following:
• 1 cup of Witch Hazel, or:
• 1 cup of Organic Apple Cider Vinegar;
• Pour the resulting liquid into a spray bottle;
• Shake well, and;
• Spritz your dog’s fur.

² Clove oil is a uterine stimulant and therefore should not be used on pregnant dogs.
If your dog is pregnant substitute use eucalyptus essential oil instead.

* Flea Rosemary Spray  

(for cats and dogs)

 

• Steep 1/8 cup of fresh *rosemary in 16 ounces of boiling water for 30 minutes;
• Allow the resulting infusion to cool;
• Strain the liquid, discard the rosemary;
• Pour the liquid into a spray bottle;
• Shake well;
• Spritz your dog’s fur.

You can also increase this recipe to make a rosemary flea dip.

Four Thieves Vinegar - Extra Strength Spray
(for dogs)

 

• Preparation:
• In a glass jar – a Masons Jar with lid is best; add the following ingredients:
•  2 cups Organic Apple Cider Vinegar;
• The following dry herbs;
• Lavender - *4 tbsp
• If you are using this spray on cats you can use lavender or rosemary;
• Peppermint - *4 tbsp
• Sage - *4 tbsp (not to be used on cats);
• Thyme - *4 tbsp; 
• *4 tbsp dry herb of 3/4 cup fresh herb
  
• Fresh Garlic – 4 to 8 cloves, crush the cloves before adding to the mixture.
• Mix the ingredients;
• Seal the glass jar with lid;
• Allow to steep (in a cool, dark place, shake occasionally) for a minimum of 2 weeks, up to a maximum of 6 weeks;
• After steeping period is over, strain the liquid from the herbs (discard the herbs);
• You can then store the liquid in the fridge;
• To Use:
• Do not use the liquid as a spray on fur and skin full strength…
  Fill a spray bottle half-full with the steeped liquid;
• Fill the remaining half of the bottle with distilled water;
• The spray is now ready for use;
• Shake well, and;
• Spritz your dog’s fur.

The original Four Thieves Vinegar Recipe – the one above is a variation, is a recipe from the 1600s.  The famous French aromatherapy doctor, Jean Valnet, has two recipes in his book. He claims corpse robbers who were caught red-handed in the area around Toulouse in 1628-1631 revealed the original recipe. His story is the more credible of the many one can find. Given the virulence and deadliness of the plague, the judges were astonished by the indifference of the thieves to contagion. Valnet quotes the archives of the Parliament of Toulouse... 

 

"During the Great Plague, four robbers were convicted of going to the houses of plague victims, strangling them in their beds and then looting their dwellings. For this, they were condemned to be burned at the stake, and in order to have their sentence mitigated, they revealed their secret preservative, after which they were hanged."

 

2.0 Rubs to Kill Fleas

2.1 Organic ¹Neem Oil Rub 

• Dogs - mix 1 part neem oil with 10 parts almond oil or coconut oil.
• Cats - mix 1 part neem oil with 20 parts almond oil or coconut oil.
• Place a few drops in your hand;
• Rub your palms together;
• The run your hands through your dog’s fur.

¹ Caution for Neem Oil:

• Neem oil breaks down after 8 hours, so only make enough spray  or rub for use within an 8 hour period, discard any unused spray and make more when required;
• If you are using these Neem oil recipes on a breeding, pregnant or lactating animal make sure that you make the recipes using the neem oil at half strength. 

3.0 Dips to Kill Fleas 

3.1 *Rosemary Flea Dip (for cats and dogs)

• Steep 2 cups of fresh *rosemary in 1 gallon of boiling water for 30 minutes;
• Allow the resulting infusion to cool-off until it is just warm;
• Strain the liquid, discard the rosemary;
• Pour the liquid over your dog’s fur until he/she is soaked,
• Allow your dog to dry naturally.

4.0 Rinse to Kill Fleas

4.1 Organic ACV, Tea Tree Oil and Aloe Vera Juice
      (for dogs only)

 

 

The following topical treatment kills adult fleas and is soothing for the dog’s skin…

You will need:

• An 8 oz bottle
• Tea Tree Oil
• 100% pure Aloe Vera Juice, inner fillet
• Organic ACV
• Fresh, clean water.
  

Preparation

• Pour the water into the 8 ounce bottle
• Add 10 drops of tea tree oil
• Add 1 tablespoon of aloe vera juice
• Shake well

 Treatment

• Massage the resulting herbal mixture into your dogs fur and skin.
  
• Wait 6 to 10 minutes, then rinse your dog.
  

Rinse Your Dog

• Then rinse with ACV diluted in water – 1 tablespoon ACV for every pint of water
• Allow your dog to shake the excess water off

 After-Rinse Spray

• Then follow-up with a spray of equal parts ACV to water;
• Do not get the herbal mixture, rinse or spray in your dog’s eyes
• The spray can be used on a daily basis and may be used several times a day

5.0 Collar Drops and Spot-on Drops
(for cats and dogs)

For herbal collar drop recipes and herbal spot-on recipes:

• Go to this article.

6.0 Cautions 

Monitor your Animal When Using Essential Oils

Particularly when using  essential oils on cats, make sure you observe your cat, watch for any signs of an adverse reaction and cease using if any type of toxicity occurs.

 

Employ Caution When Spraying near Your Animal's Eyes

Protect your dog and cat's eyes from the spray.

 

When Applying the Spray to your Dog or Cat's Face:

Spray the palm of your hand with the solution.
Then rub your hands gently over your animal's nose, top of the head, behind the ears, etc.

 

Daily Application of Sprays

Sprays should be re-applied 2-3 times a day when protection is required.
If your dog goes swimming, gets wet in the rain etc. you will need to re-apply the spray.

 

*Rosemary

Do not use rosemary essential oils on a dog or cats prone to seizures.
Do NOT use rosemary on Shelties (Shetland Sheepdogs), and Collies. 

 

Your Dog, Cat's Best Defense Against Insects

Your dog’s and cat’s best defense against insects and insect-borne disease is a truly health supporting diet, nutrition and overall wellness plan. Topical insect repellent should never be used on its own with the expectation that it can prevent insect bites and insect-borne disease, instead use as part of a layered holistic plan.

Holistic Diet, Nutrition, Wellness Services Tailored to Your Individual Dog and Cat

 

For information about my holistic diet, nutrition, wellness services visit my:

Holistic wellness services page.

 

Maintain good health | Address acute and chronic health issues | Pre and post surgery support and recovery

 

My holistic wellness services are available worldwide via video consultation.

🌎  USA | Canada | UK | Europe | Australia | New Zealand | Asia | South and Central America | Africa | UAE

 

📱 FaceTime | Facebook | Skype | WhatsApp

 

To set-up your holistic wellness consultation get in-touch via email:

Contact me.

 

Holistic Behavioral Services For Your Dog

 

For information about my holistic behavioral services visit my:

Holistic behavioral services page.
 

For dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds

 

My holistic behavioral services are available locally in-person and worldwide via video session.
 

🌎  USA | Canada | UK | Europe | Australia | New Zealand | Asia | South and Central America | Africa | UAE

 

📱 FaceTime | Facebook | Skype | WhatsApp

 

To set-up your holistic behavioral session get in-touch via email:

Contact me.

 

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Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld

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