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Zack Keithy, our author, is a certified veterinarian technician (UC Blue Ash) for over 6 years (contact him here). The articles written here are based on his expertise and experience, combined with a review by our expert vet reviewers including Dr M. Tarantino. Learn more about us here.
Fleas are a nuisance for both you and your dog.
Not only are they annoying, but they can also transmit diseases, which is why it’s so important to get rid of them as soon as possible.
Some people have turned to using Pine-Sol, but what if your dog is in question?
Does Pine Sol kill fleas on dogs? And is it safe for dogs?
No, you should not use Pine Sol on dogs to kill fleas or for any reason at all. It contains chemicals that can cause serious injury or death to your pet.
In this blog post, we’ll answer all of your questions about using this popular home cleaning product and show you the right way to rid your dog of pesky fleas.
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- How to Identify Fleas on Your Dog
- What is in Pine Sol?
- Does Pine-Sol Kill Fleas?
- How Does Pine-Sol Kill Fleas?
- Will Pine-Sol Get Rid of Fleas on Dogs?
- Is Pine Sol Safe For Dogs?
- Is Pine-Sol Toxic to Dogs?
- Effective Ways to Kill Fleas on Dogs
- What Household Item Kills Fleas on Dogs?
- When to Go to the Vet?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- In Conclusion: Does Pine Sol Kill Fleas on Dogs?
How to Identify Fleas on Your Dog
Since flea bites are so tiny, they are difficult to detect.
On your dog, bites frequently manifest as red, bumpy dots.
These patches, which are smaller than typical bug bites, can blend in with your dog’s fur unless they become irritated from scratching.
Fortunately, there are quicker techniques to check for infestations in your dog.
Start by searching your pet for fleas or flea dirt, which is another name for flea poop.
Most commonly, they will be found on the abdomen, neck, ears, tail base, and lower back of your dog.
Check for movement by brushing back their fur (easier on light-colored fur).
No luck? Your next move will be to search for dirt left behind by fleas.
The best way to do this is using a flea comb which is essentially a fine-toothed comb.
Doggy says, you might be keen to read this too: Do Huskies get ticks?
What is in Pine Sol?
Pine-sol is a cleaning product that has been around for decades.
It’s made by Clorox and it’s used to clean kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas of your home.
Pine-sol is a bleach-based cleaner that is made with pine oil as its main ingredient and also contains acids such as chlorine and hydrochloric acid as well as alcohols like denatured alcohol.
Here is a look at the ingredients in Pine-Sol:
- Water, PEG/PPG propylheptyl ether or C10-12 alcohol ethoxylates, fragrance, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium carbonate, hydroxyethylcellulose and colorants. Contains fragrance allergen(s)
Does Pine-Sol Kill Fleas?
Pine-sol is an all-purpose cleaner, but it has a lot of other uses too.
The product’s label does not specifically state that it can be used to kill fleas, but many people have had success using this cleaning product on their carpets and rugs.
I don’t believe it is a perfect solution, but it can help get rid of fleas in your home to a certain extent.
Pine-sol has pine oil as its main ingredient and that’s what makes it so effective against these tiny pests.
It also contains other chemicals that work together to kill fleas on contact.
This should NOT be used on surfaces to which your dog has access though.
Doggy says, consider reading this too: My dog drank soapy water
How Does Pine-Sol Kill Fleas?
Since Pine-Sol was not created for this explicit purpose, there is really no proper research as to how it works.
But one can assume that a combination of the chemicals in the solutions becomes deadly for fleas that come into contact with it.
Can it be used as a preventive measure? I wouldn’t count on it.
Will Pine-Sol Get Rid of Fleas on Dogs?

Technically, yes, Pine-Sol would get rid of fleas on dogs, but this should not be done.
While it may be an effective way to kill fleas, it is also very dangerous.
The chemicals in Pine-Sol are not meant for use on animals and could cause serious illness or death if ingested.
If you want to get rid of fleas on your dog, I would recommend a more natural approach.
One that does not involve chemicals, but instead uses natural ingredients that are safe for both you and your pet (I will show you some in the later sections).
Doggy says, you might be interested in reading this too: Simparica Trio overdose
Is Pine Sol Safe For Dogs?
Pine-Sol is not safe for dogs.
It contains chemicals that can be dangerous to your dog’s health.
If ingested, it could cause vomiting, diarrhea, or even death.
Is Pine-Sol Safe for Puppies?
Absolutely not.
Pine-Sol will have an even bigger effect on puppies as their bodies are not fully developed yet and they are more susceptible to any kinds of chemicals.
It can cause them to be poisoned and even die if they ingest it.
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Doggy says, you might be interested to read this too: Do poodles get fleas?
Is Pine-Sol Toxic to Dogs?
Yes, Pine-Sol is toxic to dogs.
It contains chemicals that can be dangerous to your dog’s health if ingested.
If you want to use Pine-Sol as a cleaner, make sure you are not around your pet when using it, and do not apply it in areas where they might walk past or get in contact with.
Effective Ways to Kill Fleas on Dogs
When your dog gets fleas on its body. itching results from an allergic reaction to the insects’ saliva.
Your dog may start scratching more frequently and if you examine more closely, you can find scabs, flea filth, or what appears to be salt and pepper in their bed.
When this happens, you know you have a flea problem on hand, and you need to solve it FAST.
The best way to get rid of fleas on dogs is through medication.
Your vet will be able to prescribe the right solution for you.
Besides medication, here are some other treatment methods you can use at home.
Doggy says, consider reading this too:
Topical treatment
A topical treatment such as Frontline or Revolution will do well to remove and repel flea infestation.
These medications work by killing adult fleas and their eggs on contact, so you’ll need to apply them every day until the problem is solved.
Topical treatments also come with some risks (like skin irritation), so be sure to discuss any concerns you have with your veterinarian before committing to using one.
Flea collar
If you don’t want to use any chemicals on your pet or if they’re already allergic to them, another option is an electronic device called a Flea Tick Collar.
These devices emit high-frequency noise which deters fleas from landing on your dog.
Shower your dog
Bathing your cat is one of the primary ways to get rid of fleas.
They can be removed from your pet’s fur and skin with only lukewarm water or water and a little soap.
Consult your veterinarian before using a flea shampoo or a product comparable to it as it can dry up your pet’s skin and strip the oils from their fur.
Your pet’s skin may be particularly sensitive if it has a flea allergy (your veterinarian may refer to this condition as flea allergy dermatitis).
Additionally, if your pet has any other open sores or “raw areas” on its skin, the same is true.
Some of the chemicals found in flea products have the potential to aggravate illnesses and rashes.
Grooming
Your dog is more likely to get fleas if you don’t groom it regularly.
What you should do is brush your dog’s fur every couple of days and bathe it as needed.
If you discover the presence of fleas, using a fine-toothed comb dipped in a solution of water and dish soap can help to remove them.
This also helps to remove any dirt caused by the fleas.
What Household Item Kills Fleas on Dogs?
Not every dog parent turns to medication right away to solve the flea problem, and luckily, there are several household items that can help you out.
- Apple cider vinegar. Make a solution from water and apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle and use it on your dog’s coat. This is a highly effective way to keep the pests at bay (though it does not really kill them immediately).
- Lemon. These can also be used to make a solution for your dog, just like apple cider vinegar. The citric acid in lemons makes them an effective flea killer. Simply mix half a cup of lemon juice (natural) with two cups of water and some doggy shampoo.
- Epsom salt. Have some of these in your bathroom? They can be a perfect solution to fleas too. It dries out a flea and causes them to die quickly. Bonus: they boost your dog’s immune system too!
- Coconut oil. Not only are they great for making dinners, but they also combat fleas well too. Spread it thinly on your dog’s coat to get rid of those pesky suckers. I recommend you do this outdoors as the fleas are going to start escaping the minute you start.
There are probably dozens of other ways to kill fleas, but the ones above work brilliantly.
One point to note is the use of essential oils.
Many have claimed their efficacy, but I prefer to avoid them as they can be harmful to dogs too.
Oils such as citrus, peppermint, pine, and tea tree are toxic to them, so I wouldn’t risk using any in the first place.
Also, be sure to clean up your house after treating your dog to prevent fleas from repopulating again.
This is the best way to stop them from affecting your dog in the first place.
When to Go to the Vet?
Take your dog to the vet if you discover that they are badly inflamed, causing excessive hair loss, or bleeding from self-scratching or self-chewing.
These behaviors can indicate a more serious ailment or a flea bite allergy, which can last up to three weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I bathe my dog with Pine-Sol?
No, you cannot bathe your dog with Pine-Sol as it contains lots of harmful chemicals that can cause death if ingested.
Does Dawn dish soap get rid of fleas?
Yes, it does help to get rid of fleas, but it is not a long-term solution. It can only help on a one-off basis, so the key thing is to seek out preventive measures instead.
Does Pine-Sol kill ticks?
There is no actual evidence that Pine-Sol can kill ticks, but it can be assumed that it does. It contains lots of chemicals that can effectively deal with pests like ticks.
Can Pine-Sol kill dogs?
Yes, Pine-Sol can potentially kill dogs. Both the alcohol and the pine essential oil in Pine-Sol are harmful to animals. Dogs lack the enzymes required for their absorption. When essential oils are mixed with alcohol and other chemicals, they can cause fatality in dogs.
In Conclusion: Does Pine Sol Kill Fleas on Dogs?
Now you know, Pine-Sol is not a good solution at all for fixing a flea issue on your dog.
Try out the natural remedies to treat your dog, but if you suspect the problem is getting out of hand, you should definitely bring this to your vet.
Continue browsing around our blog for more dog care tips such as , why is my dog licking after tooth extraction, ingrown dog whiskers, and many more!