How to Use Diatomaceous Earth for Dog's Fleas, Worms and More

You probably heard that Diatomaceous earth is good for detoxing your body. This is because Diatomaceous earth is a great absorbent.

Did you know that Diatomaceous earth can also help reduce parasites on a dog? People have used diatomaceous earth for centuries as a pest control.

Today, you can buy it for lots of things. Food-grade DE is even safe for people and pets to eat.

Why would you want to eat DE, and how else can you use it? Read on to find out! 

Jump to:

• What is Diatomaceous Earth?
• What are the Benefits of Diatomaceous Earth for Dog's
• How Do I Use Diatomaceous Earth on my Dog?
• The Fine Print on Diatomaceous Earth for Dogs
• It Might Not Work to Kill Parasites in Dogs
• Can Diatomaceous Earth Hurt My Dog?
• Diatomaceous Earth to Detoxify your Dog
• Can diatomaceous earth for dogs support healthy joints?
• Reduces the Pain of Arthritis in Dogs
• Diatomaceous Earth to Treat Tapeworms in Dogs
• Concerns with Using Diatamaceous Earth for Dogs
• Safe and Easy To Use!
• How Much Diatomaceous Earth Should I Use for My Puppy
• Final Thoughts

What is Diatomaceous Earth?

Diatomaceous is a fine powder that looks like broken glass. It has microscopically sharp edges piercing insects and parasites coats causing them to dehydrate and die.

Basically, a white power texture comprising siliceous sedimentary rock. Diatomaceous earth are microscopic organisms called diatoms. 

What are the Benefits of Diatomaceous Earth for Dog's

Diatomaceous earth kills insects and parasites slowly by chipping away their waxy covering. Once that’s gone, the bugs/parasites stop growing.

The microscopically sharp edges of the sand basically cause the bug to dehydrate.

The National Pesticide Information Center has the most comprehensive report on diatomaceous earth.

Never use diatomaceous earth on pets unless you’ve checked with your vet first. The product is safe, but it takes a lot longer to get rid of fleas than anything the vet can give you.

How Do I Use Diatomaceous Earth on my Dog?

Food grade diatomaceous earth should have easy to follow directions for use on the package, including how much to give based on the weight/size of the dog.

It’s a powdery, light substance that can be mixed with wet dog food or rubbed into the fur.

The Fine Print on Diatomaceous Earth for Dogs

I cannot stress enough the importance of consulting with a licensed veterinarian before using this stuff.

The product is safe; however, it may not be as effective as it needs to be. It’s messy and needs to be used for quite some time to get rid of a flea invasion. 

Fleas have a long lifespan. From egg to larvae and then to adult flea. 

Diatomaceous earth won’t kill flea eggs, and it takes at least 3 weeks for an infestation to be eliminated.

It Might Not Work to Kill Parasites in Dogs

Looking for non-toxic medications is good practice in a lot of situations.

However, it’s important to emphasize that pharmaceuticals go through rigorous testing to make sure they are safe for your pets.

Another thing to consider is whether your dog has internal parasites. 

Diatomaceous earth does not kill heart worms or tapeworms, both of which can cause serious harm to your dog.

Can Diatomaceous Earth Hurt My Dog?

The Food and Drug Administration recognizes diatomaceous earth as a safe, natural way to treat bedbugs, fleas, ticks, and some internal parasites.

It’s made of crushed sea plankton (microscopic sea creatures mainly made of silica) and ground into powder.

It can be taken internally, spread on your dog's bedding or around the household baseboards.

The food grade version of diatomaceous earth is safe for human and pet consumption.

It’s important to know that there is also an industrial grade product used in the agricultural industry.

If you’re shopping for this product at regular health food stores, department stores, or wherever pet products are sold, always ask for food grade DE.

Diatomaceous Earth to Detoxify your Dog

A healthy liver removes toxins from the body with no help. Your dog should go to the vet if he/she shows signs of toxicity. 

Diatomaceous earth will not get rid of poisonous substances from your dog.

Can diatomaceous earth for dogs support healthy joints?

Food grade diatomaceous earth may indeed have some merit; however, it shouldn’t be considered a miracle cure for everything that ails your dog. There are a lot of natural products on the market.

Reduces the Pain of Arthritis in Dogs

If your dog is suddenly limping, doesn’t want to play as often, has difficulty walking or getting up from a resting position, it’s important’s diagnosis.

Pets can hurt for several reasons. Even if you suspect joint pain, it’s probably a good idea to stay away from diatomaceous earth.

Until you know what’s really bothering your dog, why waste your time and pot’s suffering.

Diatomaceous Earth to Treat Tapeworms in Dogs

DE is an effective way to get rid of tapeworms in dogs.

The product is really porous. Thus, when it comes in contact with tapeworms in your dog’s body, it works as a physico-sorptive agent and kills them.

Diatomaceous earth has razor-sharp particles! So some people use it to kill fleas and tapeworms!

It’s important that you only use a food grade Diatomaceous Earth as a natural and chemical free way to control tapeworms and other parasites for your pets.

Diatomaceous Earth can eliminate not only tapeworms but roundworms, whipworms, pinworms, and hookworms.

Concerns with Using Diatamaceous Earth for Dogs

Diatomaceous earth for dogs has its uses and is considered an effective, natural flea treatment. Food grade diatomaceous earth is safe, but not all dogs will respond to it.

If you’re considering using diatomaceous earth to get rid of internal parasites, fleas, or ticks, here are a few important things you need to know. 

Dogs with underlying skin conditions or allergies may end up worse off since this product dries them out. If you’re concerned about pharmaceuticals for parasite control, try diatomaceous earth instead.

Safe and Easy To Use!

Diatomaceous earth is the best home remedy, since it’s easy to feed dogs. It’s available as powder and capsules.

You just mix the powder with dog food and your dog eats away the infection. Diatomaceous earth isn’t a chemical, so it’s safe. It’s a natural product and doesn’t have any side effects.

The only real precaution you should take is not to inhale the powder. Inhaling diatomite can cause some people to have mild breathing issues.

Other than that, you’re good to go!

You can check the fur or stool daily for dead tapeworms. Dead tapeworms means diatomaceous earth is working!

If you still see the tiny rice grains moving around in the stools or in the hair around the dog’s rectum, you can increase the daily dose until the number of live tapeworms disappears.

How Much Diatomaceous Earth Should I Use for My Puppy

Check with your veterinarian, but these are some general recommendations for dogs:

Small dogs and puppies: ½ teaspoon food-grade DE once daily with food.

Dogs under 50 lbs: 1 teaspoon of food-grade DE once daily in food Dogs over 50 lbs: 1 tablespoon of food-grade DE once daily in food.

Dogs over 100 lbs: 2 tablespoons of food-grade DE once daily in food.

Just mix it well with the dog’s food so the powder doesn’t irritate the dog’s lungs.

It's important that you bathe your pet within a few days of using Diatomaceous as it can be drying left on your pet.

Final Thoughts

A study in the Oxford Journal of Poultry Science suggests food grade diatomaceous earth may help control internal parasites.

Every pet owner has probably experienced flea and tick infestations once or twice!

If you’re pet has any health issues or skin issues, then talk to your veterinarian about finding a different type of product. Diatomaceous earth isn’t for pets with health or skin issues.

When using Diatomaceous earth on your dog’s fur, you’ll need to give your dog a bath within a couple of days to prevent the product from drying out your dog's skin.

How to Use Diatomaceous Earth for Dog's Fleas, Worms and More