For many centuries, peppermint oil has been used as a natural pest repellent and is an ingredient used in many insect sprays, so it makes sense that many wonder if it can be used for flea control. If this sounds like you, you are in the right place, as I will cover everything you need to know about using peppermint oil on your dogs and cats.
- Is peppermint oil a viable solution compared to commercial flea products?
- Is this type of oil safe for your pets or are there any dangers?
- Does this remedy actually work and will it kill the fleas on your pets?
- How to use peppermint oil on your pet to keep fleas away (4x options).
- A couple tips for using this oil in your home for effective flea control.
Why not use a commercial flea treatment instead of peppermint oil?
Much has been said about the dangerous ingredients contained in regular flea killers bought over the counter. The active ingredients of the chemicals found in these products can cause serious health problems and even other forms of flea control like collars and powders are no less dangerous for you than for your pet. Have you noticed that you are always told to wash your hands thoroughly after handling these products, and yet this is what we are putting on our beloved pet’s body! 🙁
While there is definitely situations that call for things like spot on treatments, etc, more and more animal lovers are determined to move away from these potentially harmful products and preferring to learn more about using natural remedies where possible.
You will discover from reading this article that there are dangers inherent in using peppermint oil (more below), but if it is used correctly and diluted according to the recipes that I give you later in the article, it can be very useful in fighting the war against fleas.
Is peppermint oil safe to use on pets that have fleas?
As caring pet parents, we are always looking for safe and natural ways of taking care of our furry family. The popularity of using essential oils to attack the problem of flea infestations has become very popular, especially for those that like the DIY approach.
However, sometimes “natural” does not always mean “safe”, especially when using them on animals. In the case of peppermint oil, here are some guidelines for using it safely.
The reason for this is that essential oils are rapidly absorbed through the skin and into the liver. Cats lack a crucial enzyme in their liver that makes it difficult for them to metabolize and eliminate certain toxins. One of these toxins is phenols which is present in peppermint oil. As some concentrations of phenols are dangerous to cats, exposure can cause side effects like vomiting, difficulty breathing, and aspiration pneumonia. 🙁
Obviously, very low concentrations of oil may not pose too great a problem for your kitty but is it really worth taking a chance? If you want a natural DIY solution for flea control on cats, rather check out this guide on using coconut oil to kill fleas as a much safer option (it is very effective).
Using peppermint oil on dogs: The key to safely using peppermint oil on your pooch is to make absolutely sure that it is never ever used neat and that you follow the dilution instructions carefully. This oil is very potent, and in reality, it can be harmful if not used correctly.
However, when properly diluted it is very effective in fending off fleas on your dog. Also, always look for good quality organic peppermint oil when preparing the dilutions for use on your dog. Also, take care when using this oil on puppies or sick, pregnant or elderly dogs.
If you want to use this oil on other pets, I highly recommend that you do some proper research before doing so, as peppermint oil is rather potent and it can be toxic for small animals. Since it is almost impossible to cover all pets in this article, I will help you in the comments section if you have a specific question about this. 🙂
Does peppermint oil actually kill fleas on your canine friend?
No, although peppermint has been been used for many years as a natural flea repellent, it does not possess the ability to actually kill adult fleas. This does not make it useless however, as keeping them away is a great way to get immediate relief.
It does, however, kill the much more vulnerable flea larvae, which really helps to ward off flea infestations. By applying this product on your dog using the different options that I will explain later, you will make sure that fleas will keep a wide berth from your dog, as they repulsed by the smell of it.
How to apply it on your dog (to repel fleas)
Let’s get down to some practicalities and give you some really useful options in using this oil to give your pet a fighting chance of fending off those fleas. See which method works best for you and observe how your dog responds to your choice, keeping in mind that some are more sensitive to the smell of the oil than others. Don’t forget that your amazing pooch has up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses, whereas we have only about 6 million and peppermint oil smells strong.
Some doggies won’t mind being sprayed with a solution, others might prefer to be dabbed on them, or you may have a stylish pet that enjoys sporting a treated bandana. Observe your pet’s reactions and that will help you to make the best choice. I am here to help if you need it. 🙂
Please remember to repeat the steps (from the option that you chose) at least once a week, as by then the odor of the oil will have dissipated and your dog will need another quick spray. Shake well each time you use your spray as the two oils will have separated when not in use and the dilution will no longer be accurate.
PRO TIP: If you want to go the extra mile and have a couple other essential oils on hand (or can go get them), you can add 5 drops of rosemary oil and 5 drops of lavender oil to the mixes mentioned below. It must be said that this is not necessary, as peppermint alone is enough to keep fleas away. However, this mixture will boost the effectiveness a little bit.
Option 1: Making a diluted spray using peppermint oil and a carrier oil
This method is one of my favorites, as I love the convenience of making this in bulk and keeping it in the cupboard for regular use. I recommend that you purchase a sturdy spray bottle before you start (nothing too expensive though) as working with those low-quality ones is a nightmare.
Step 2: Shake vigorously to ensure that the two oils are mixed thoroughly. This is a crucial step as the carrier oil and the essential oil need to be very well blended to ensure that the dilution is correct and ready to apply to your dog.
Step 3: Spray your dog carefully, avoiding his face and nether regions – peppermint oil can have skin irritating and cooling effects when it comes into contact with delicate skin, and your pooch definitely won’t appreciate any burning sensation in sensitive areas!
Option 2: Applying the peppermint oil solution using cotton wool
If you are not a fan of spraying (some dogs hate it), then this method is for you. Go the extra mile and get yourself some organic cotton, it is usually pretty cheap.
Step 2: Use a ball of cotton wool that has been dampened with the mixture (squeeze out any excess oil, you don’t want it to be too wet) and dab areas of your dog’s body. Behind his ears, the back of the neck and on his back are favorite zones for fleas, so take a little extra time and treat those areas carefully.
Step 3: Once again, shake up your mixture and repeat at least once a week to ensure that those hideous fleas stay far away from your furry friend.
Option 3: Treating a collar with peppermint oil to keep fleas away
Although this is not as effective as the other methods due to its limited coverage (only around the neck), it’s still a great solution and does work, especially for dogs who are always in the garden. If your dog doesn’t have a collar, you can use a makeshift bandana as they are very cheap.
Step 2: Carefully apply the oil mixture to your doggie’s collar or his favorite bandana. Place around your pet’s neck, making sure that the treated side is at the back of his neck. You don’t want to overwhelm him with the peppermint smell right under his very sensitive nose.
Step 3: Reapply regularly, usually about once a week – You will know when to put on another dab of the essential oil mixture, just give your doggie’s bandana or collar a sniff to check whether the peppermint smell is beginning to fade.
A couple tips for using peppermint oil in the house to keep fleas away
There are a few other tips that I would like to share with you that are really useful to know when using peppermint oil to drive fleas away from your pet and your home. If you have any other suggestions, let me know in the comments section and I may add a couple to this list.
Place a cotton ball with a few drops of peppermint oil on it into your vacuum cleaner. The smell of the oil will repel fleas and any larvae that happen to be so unlucky as to be sucked up will be obliterated. That will ensure that you are also preventing any chance of newly hatched fleas from attacking your pooch.
Instead of mixing your peppermint oil with a carrier oil, use plain water to use as a spray around your house. This mixture needs to be well shaken as oil and water don’t mix easily. This solution can then be sprayed on kitchen surfaces and in any of those hard to reach corners of your house where those little fleas like to lurk.
Put a drop of peppermint oil into a full bottle of doggy shampoo. Remember to protect your dog’s ears by putting some cotton wool in them and don’t get the shampoo into his eyes. He will have a lovely fresh smell and those will fleas will stay away for days. This is something that I have been doing for years, and I highly recommend that you give it a try.
Although not directly related to peppermint oil, if you have read this far I feel that you are an advocate for natural solutions, and a common question that I get from readers is “what about flea control in the garden?”. If fleas have taken over your yard, I suggest that you try using beneficial nematodes to kill them. They are cheap and don’t harm any useful insects like ladybugs, etc.
Peppermint oil is most definitely a valuable resource in our arsenal against the dreaded invasion of fleas on our pets and homes. By using the diluted spray in and around our homes or using the methods that I’ve shared with you on your pet creates a great barrier against flea infestation. The old saying – prevention is better than cure really applies when looking at the benefits of using Peppermint oil to repel fleas.
Thank you for reading this article and I hope you enjoy putting some of my suggestions into practice. Who knows, maybe we’ll be seeing more and more pooches sporting fabulous bandanas with a cool, fresh minty odor wafting around them. 🙂 Looking forward to hearing about your experiences in using peppermint oil for fleas.
Hello! My name is Natasha, and I have been helping people with their insect problems since 2012. I have published a book, worked with many pest control companies, and helped thousands with various infestations on a one-to-one basis. My goal for this blog is to create evidence-based guides that are easy to understand, provide sufficient depth and can be trusted to be very accurate. Please remember that my guides are for informational purposes only, and that you agree to the terms of use when reading content on this website. If you leave a comment, I typically respond within 48 hours.
I’ve read that peppermint oil in general is very toxic to a dog and certainly shouldn’t be sprayed or dabbed directly onto them even if diluted. There is so much conflicting evidence online
Hi Lianne! Indeed, but I triple check my content for accuracy, so as long as you follow the steps listed in this article, your pooch will be fine. The only concern would be if it was a small, aged or infirm dog, but a large breed will be safe. Hope that helps!
i have a shihtzu who occasionally coughs like simething is in throat or allergies or just respiratory… not sure which …. but Ive learned that when she doesnt stop I just put a very light dab to her nose and immediately she stops
Hi Thomas! I know that peppermint does help open up air ways, so that is probably what is happening with your shihtzu. Thanks for sharing, have a good one!
Hi Natasha,
Can I use the cotton ball with peppermint oil in a canister vacuum? We have an upright Dyson that is bagless, and just found out that our dog has fleas due to the fleas in this area being immune to the flea prevention we were using.
Thanks,
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer! To be honest, it wouldn’t really help your situation. Your best bet is to use a combination of coconut oil + peppermint oil on your dog, and then to use something like baking soda or DE in your home to kill the flea infestation. I have an article on both of these under the “fleas” section, please take a look and let me know if you need some more assistance! 🙂