When it comes to keeping our dogs free from fleas and ticks, it’s natural to want a solution that’s effective yet safe, not just for our pets, but also for our homes and the wider environment. As awareness grows around the impact of chemical parasitic treatments, many dog owners are searching for more natural alternatives.
In this blog, we’ll explore the environmental concerns linked to conventional flea treatments, share tips on natural flea care for your dog and explain how regular grooming keeps fleas at bay.
A Closer Look: The Environmental Impact of Spot-On Flea Treatments
Studies including this research by Imperial Collage London, have raised serious concerns about the long-term use of traditional spot-on parasite treatments. Often applied monthly to the back of your dog’s neck, these treatments contain powerful chemicals such as fipronil and imidacloprid.
While effective at killing parasites, residues of these chemicals have been found in UK waterways, washed off our pets during baths, paddles, and rainy-day walks. The presence of these toxins is contributing to the decline of aquatic invertebrates, which play a vital role in freshwater ecosystems.
There’s also a lesser-known but equally troubling consequence. This study by the University of Sussex in collaboration with SongBird Survival has found that pet owners who leave shed pet hair out for birds to use as nesting material may unintentionally be causing harm. Treated hair can carry traces of pesticides, and when birds weave this into their nests, it can be fatal to delicate chicks, particularly songbirds.
How Do Dogs Get Fleas?
Before we look at how to control fleas, it’s helpful to understand how dogs catch them in the first place. Fleas are expert jumpers and persistent little hitchhikers, it doesn't take much for them to latch onto your dog and setting up their home in the fur. By understanding the most common ways they find their way onto your pet, you can stay one step ahead and help prevent an infestation before it starts.
- Contact with Other Animals: Fleas spread easily between animals. Your dog might pick them up from a playmate at the park, a visit to a boarding kennel, or even from wildlife like foxes, rabbits or hedgehogs that might have passed through your garden.
- Environment: Even if your dog doesn't regularly mix with others, fleas can still find their way in. They often lurk in shaded outdoor spaces, long grass, wooden decking, or under garden sheds, ready to jump onto a passing host. Once indoors, they can hide in carpets, bedding and upholstery where thy can lay hundreds of eggs.
- Second-Hand Items and Visitors: Fleas can also hitch a ride into your home via second-hand furniture, pet bedding, or even on your clothes if you’ve been in an infested area. Visiting pets may unknowingly bring parasites with them too.
Once fleas make themselves at home, they reproduce rapidly which is why taking proactive steps such as regular grooming and using natural repellents, is so important in breaking the cycle.
Alternative Flea Solutions for Dogs
Switching to natural flea care doesn’t have to mean compromising on effectiveness. A well-rounded routine can help prevent infestations while supporting your dog’s overall health. These three steps along with grooming will help to keep your dog and your home a flea free zone:
1. Regular Baths with Natural Flea-Repellent Shampoo - Bathing your dog regularly with a natural flea deterring shampoo not only removes fleas and their eggs by washing them out of coat, the fragrance helps to keeps them at bay too lasting for days after washing. The Buzz Off shampoo from Wildwash is formulated with manuka and cedarwood without parabens or sulphates, perfect for conditioning the skin and coat during the summer months. This gentle shampoo cleans and deodorises leaving a long lasting scent with essential oils of peppermint, lavender and lemongrass to naturally repel fleas and insects.
"I just wanted to let you know that I have been using WildWash for the last 3 weeks and I couldn't be happier with it. The dogs get squeaky clean and smell gorgeous with the added bonus of clients commenting on how lovely the salon smells. I will definitely be sticking with WildWash."
2. Use Natural Flea Sprays Before Walks - A mist of bug deterrent spray applied to your dog's coat before heading out for a walk will keep pests at bay, particularly helpful during flea and tick season. We love this all natural Flea & Bug Repellent from Wildwash. With a fresh peppermint and lavender fragrance, this formulation also contains herbs and plant based essential oils such as horsetail, nettle and eucalyptus, renowned for their bug repelling properties. This spray can be used as often as needed, perfect for spritzing the coat before your dog heads outside and it's suitable for humans too! It will also keep flies, midges, mosquitoes and mites away.
"I’ve been using WildWash Flea and Bug Spray for years and my dogs do not get any bugs on them, even though they are prime candidates with their lengthy hair, enjoyment of long grass and general ‘off roading’."
3. Keep Bedding and Living Areas Clean - Keeping your dog’s environment clean is an important step in breaking the flea life cycle. Fleas don’t just live on your dog, they also lay eggs in places where your dog spends time. The eggs can fall off into carpets, furniture, dog beds, and cracks in the floor, where they hatch into larvae and develop into adult fleas.
Washing your dog’s bedding weekly at a high temperature (at least 60°C) helps kill any flea eggs, larvae or adults hiding in the fabric. It’s also a good idea to regularly wash blankets, soft toys and any throws your dog sleeps on. Vacuuming is equally important. It physically removes flea eggs, larvae, pupae and even adult fleas from your home. Pay special attention to carpets, rugs, upholstery, skirting boards and the corners of rooms. Fleas love dark, undisturbed areas! After vacuuming, make sure to empty the vacuum bag or canister straight away to prevent any critters from escaping back into your home.
The Importance of Grooming in Flea Control
Grooming isn’t just about keeping your dog looking smart, it plays a crucial part of your dog's health and line of defence in parasite prevention too.
- Flea Comb - A Simple Yet Effective Tool: Using a fine-toothed flea comb as part of your regular grooming routine mechanically removes fleas, eggs and even flea dirt (the black specks left behind) from their coat. Pay close attention to behind the ears, around the tail base, and under the legs and collar as these are favourite hiding spots for parasites. To kill fleas, run the comb through the hair and dip the comb into a bowl of warm soapy water using a small amount of washing up liquid. A mild dish soap is safe for pets and ensures the fleas sink below the water line and damages their exoskeleton so they cannot survive. Wipe the comb with a paper towel and continue brushing through the entire coat. By brushing your dog regularly, you'll be able to easily spot fleas or ticks on the skin for rapid removal and treatment. Watch our YouTube video here.
- Preventing Infestation: The key to natural flea control is prevention. Fleas can quickly become a problem once they get into your home, so stopping them at the door - literally - is your best bet. Clean dogs are less attractive to parasites, so a consistent grooming routine combined with regular bathing and natural repellents can make a real difference. For dogs with long hair, consider clipping and trimming the coat to help keep them cleaner and facilitate grooming. Take a look at our Grooming By Breed sets to find tailored grooming tools best suited to your dog's breed and hair type below.
Below: Before and after - A sleek springer spaniel clip for any easy maintenance coat using the cordless Springer Spaniel Dog Clipper Set by @Lauren Emily Dog Grooming
Extra Tips to Keep Fleas and Ticks Away
- Brush your dog regularly, especially if they have a thick or long coat. This helps spot parasites early and keeps the coat in good condition.
- Check for ticks after countryside walks, especially in warm months. Prompt removal reduces the risk of diseases like Lyme disease. Visit our blog for more tips here.
- Support your dog’s immune system with a balanced diet—healthy dogs are naturally more resistant to parasites.
- Keep the garden tidy. Fleas and ticks like shady, moist areas, so keeping your outdoor space well-maintained can help reduce the habitat and risk to your dog.
A Greener Way to Care for Your Dog
Choosing natural flea control not only protects your dog but also helps preserve the environment, waterways and wildlife around us.
Traditional spot-on treatments contain chemicals now found in UK rivers and can harm wildlife.
Dog hair treated with chemicals may pose a risk to nesting birds.
Regular baths with natural flea-repelling shampoos and sprays offer a safe alternative.
Grooming and flea combing are vital for keeping fleas out of your home.
Preventative care is key—clean dogs and clean homes are far less inviting to pests.
Looking to get started with natural parasite care? Browse our range of dog grooming products to find natural shampoos, flea combs, and grooming essentials. Or feel free to get in touch if you'd like bespoke grooming advice for your dog. We’re always happy to help!
My dog has fleas. What should I do?
Fleas are a common issue for dog owners, and there are plenty of ways to get on top of it quickly. The most important thing is to act fast, as fleas multiply rapidly. A single flea can lay dozens of eggs a day, so an infestation can grow out of hand before you know it.
Fleas aren’t just itchy and uncomfortable—they can also carry and infect your dog with tapeworms. That’s why it’s so important to treat the problem thoroughly and not just rely on quick fixes.
If your dog has a heavy flea burden, or if you’ve tried treating it but the problem keeps coming back, we recommend speaking to your vet. They can advise on stronger prescription treatments that may be the best course of action for your dog’s health and wellbeing.
In the meantime, give your dog a thorough bath using a natural or vet-recommended flea shampoo, and use a flea comb to remove as many fleas and eggs as possible. Wash their bedding at a high temperature and vacuum all areas your dog has access to—including carpets, sofas and even the car.
Going forward, prevention is key. Regular grooming, natural flea sprays, and keeping your home clean can go a long way in stopping fleas from returning.
Can I use dog flea sprays on my cat?
No, it's very important not to use dog flea sprays or other treatments on cats unless the product specifically states it’s safe for both species. Even some natural sprays that seem gentle can be harmful to cats. Certain essential oil including tea tree, clove and eucalyptus can be highly toxic to them, even in small amounts.
Cats have a very different metabolism to dogs and lack the enzymes needed to break down some of the compounds found in essential oils. This means that even a topical spray designed for dogs could cause skin irritation, drooling, lethargy, or more serious health issues for our pet cats.
Our WildWash Buzz Off shampoo and Flea & Bug Repellent Sprays are carefully formulated for use on dogs only and should not be used on cats. If you’re looking for a natural flea solution for your feline friend, it’s best to choose a product that’s specifically labelled as safe for cats—or speak to your vet for tailored advice.
Keeping pets flea-free often involves treating both the pet and the environment, so don’t forget to regularly clean your home and wash bedding to help prevent reinfestation.
