I’m really particular when it comes to what I feed my dogs and what I will put on their bodies. Many commercial flea and tick sprays or drops are packed with harmful chemicals that I don’t want on my pups as they can cause adverse reactions and skin problems. This flea and tick spray contains all natural ingredients and protects pups from nasty bugs. I spray it generously all over my dogs, avoiding their eyes, especially when we are in wooded areas like taking hikes in Wisconsin. I also spray it before and after they’ve gone swimming.
Ingredients:
2 organic rosemary sprigs
1/2 a lemon
1/2 a cup of organic apple cider vinegar
1 pint of water for boiling
1/2 cup of water
1 empty spray bottle
Optional: 1-3 drops of high quality lavender and peppermint oil depending on the size of your dog. 1 drop for small dogs, 2 for medium, 3 for large dogs.
Rosemary is a naturally woody type of herb that deters bugs. Lemon, apple cider vinegar and peppermint are tart and acidic which bugs hate while lavender prevents infestations and is good for skin. Between this spray and my dogs’ heartworm preventative, they are safe from bugs all year round!
Instructions:
1. Bring the pint of water to a boil
2. Once boiling, add the rosemary sprigs and lemon juice into the boiling water
3. Continue to boil together for 30 minutes. Set aside to cool
4. Combine equal parts rosemary/lemon water, apple cider vinegar and water together in the spray bottle. Depending on the size of your spray bottle, you will need a little more or less of each liquid part
5. Shake up and spray generously on your dog for protection! Keep in the refrigerator for added freshness
Welcome! My name is Alicia and I run The DIY Dog Mom blog and pet parent shop, Tink & Sue. I also founded The Pet Pro Society. Be sure to subscribe to my community of DIY Dog Moms for recipes, DIY and more!
How often do you spray your dogs with it?
Hi, Doris! It depends on the time of the year and where you live. For us in the midwest, I start in March and use it 1-2 times a week when we are in our backyard in the city of Chicago. If we are in Wisconsin where it is more wooded I use it every morning and reapply after swimming!
How long does it keep, i.e. how long can you use just the one mix, when does it “expire” per se?
Hi! I keep and use mine within the month. I also keep it in the refrigerator. For maximum potency I would recommend no more than a month 🙂
I may be lame, but there was no water left after boiling the pint of water, lemon and rosemary. It was literally just the leaves. What did i do wrong?
Hi! I think you boiled it too long or didn’t use enough water. The water should definitely not evaporate!
A dog park friend used FRONTLINE TRITAK on his poodle and had an alerting reaction to the point of going to ER due to convulsions. I am so appalled that the vet did not warn him that a negative result can possibly occur. The experience had halt my FRONTLINE purchase to seek a more holistic approach and thankfully I came across this recipe and just made my first batch for my Shiba Inu. Absolutely love this blog. 🙂
Thank you!! So happy to help! Those chemical filled products are so dangerous!
what type of Oil brand do you use? I have a Husky and they can be pretty sensitive and I want to make sure that the brand I use does not affect her coat. what are some Dog friendly Oil brands?
Young Living and DoTerra sell the most high quality oils!
Is fresh rosemary best? I assume so because of the oils but can dried be a substitute?
Dried you won’t be able to extract much from it so yes, fresh is best for this! 🙂