When I first researched can coconut oil kill fleas, I turned up a lot of blog posts and articles with conflicting information. Many suggested that coconut oil would be harmful to my cat. As an animal lover, this was definitely not something I wanted to do to my furry little buddy! Thankfully, after further research, I learned the truth about coconut oil for fleas—could this really help you take down your flea infestation? Coconut oil has been touted as a way to eliminate fleas on cats. Is this true? Does it kill the fleas on your cat or does it just drive them into hiding? Maybe it drives them away, but it doesn’t kill them. Let’s take a look and see what coconut oil can do for flea infestation, and whether or not it is something that you should consider using. Coconut oil contains a non-toxic and natural pesticide that keeps your dog free from fleas. Yes, this is true. People often mix coconut oil in their dogs’ food to get rid of fleas. Coconut oil destroys the larvae of fleas, insects, irritates and repels mosquitoes, soothes dry skin, removes ear mite infections, relieves allergies and can improve bowel movements. Coconut oil has been gaining popularity in the health and fitness communities. But exactly is it useful for? A large part of its appeal has to do with the way it makes you feel when you consume it: your energy levels are higher and your mood is better, for one thing. That’s because coconut oil is healthy for the body, especially when consumed in moderation. Plus, many natural health practitioners suggest that coconut can help eliminate bad bacteria in the gut, maintain a healthy weight, strengthen hair and nails, improve metabolism and digestion, and even boost your immunity.

Can Coconut Oil Kill Fleas

Does Coconut Oil Kill Fleas?

Coconut Oil as a Flea Repellent

It’s true that coconut oil has been proven to be an effective flea repellent. A 2008 study published in Parasitology Research proves this. Coconut Oil vs. Other Flea Repellents

Coconut oil is a natural alternative to chemical flea and lice repellents. In the above-mentioned study, researchers found it was more effective than the chemical repellents DEET and permethrin at killing lice by suffocation (coconut oil can kill lice by smothering them). The catch: it only kills the lice when you apply it directly to your skin, rather than coating your clothing with it through spraying or dipping.

For fleas, applying coconut oil directly to your pet’s coat will have little effect on killing off existing fleas on their body, but can help prevent new ones from jumping onto them in the future (provided you use enough of it).

Coconut Oil as a Preventative Measure

If you want to use coconut oil as a preventative measure against fleas, you would need to apply the oil every day on your dog. Fleas will be repelled by the smell of coconut oil and may not return immediately. However, the oil is only a short term solution because fleas will come back after some time. If someone suggests that you use coconut oil to prevent fleas from infesting your dog, then do not follow their advice!

There are other methods that can help in preventing flea infestations in your home and on your dogs.

Coconut Oil is effective at killing fleas, but only when they are on your dog.

There are many alternative treatments that can be used to prevent fleas from affecting your pet, but this method is not one of them. If your dog has fleas, coconut oil will help kill the fleas and protect your pet from future infestations. You can use coconut oil for other problems as well, such as giving them a shiny coat or helping with digestion issues.

If you have any questions about whether or not your dog can eat coconut oil or if it’s safe for them to consume, contact their veterinarian.