Diatomaceous Earth
Health Benefits

Diatomaceous Earth - Editor's Choice

| Modified on Apr 12, 2025
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Diatomaceous Earth Benefits for Pets

If you're tired of spending big bucks to control fleas, there's a dirt-cheap way to do that. Many Earth Clinic posters depend on food grade diatomaceous earth (DE) to control fleas on their dogs, cats, and other pets.

In addition to killing fleas, diatomaceous earth is effective against parasites within both humans and animals' bodies.

Cautions

Only use FOOD GRADE diatomaceous earth, at least 90% pure and as close to 100% pure as possible. Food grade diatomaceous earth is non-toxic and safe for humans and animals when used as directed.

DO NOT USE POOL OR INDUSTRIAL GRADE DE.

The pool or industrial grade of DE is contaminated with toxic ingredients. By the same token, check the label if considering diatomaceous earth sold as a flea killer. It is probably mixed with strong insecticides. While it might kill the fleas a little faster, the whole point of using diatomaceous earth is to avoid using dangerous chemicals.

What is Diatomaceous Earth?

Diatomaceous earth is composed of the fossilized silica shells of microscopic algae. It is a fine powder. When applying it, try to avoid doing so where wind or fans will blow it around as it is always a bad idea to inhale any kind of powder into the lungs. Also, if DE is blown around the house onto furniture, etc., the cleanup will make you wish that you had turned off the fans first.

How Does Diatomaceous Earth Kill Fleas, Worms, and Other Pests?

Diatomaceous earth kills fleas, ants, parasites, and other pests by cutting the pests and larvae's bodies with the microscopically sharp edges of the fossilized diatoms. Pests are unable to develop a resistance to DE because it kills mechanically by dehydrating the fleas. It has been reported that fleas die in about 4 hours.

The diatomaceous earth particles are safe to use because they are too small to cut a person or animal.

How to Use Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth

Food grade diatomaceous earth can be taken internally or applied externally to pets, carpets, bedding, etc. Diatomaceous earth absorbs moisture, so it is reportedly less effective in humid climates. If sprinkled outside, it will need to be reapplied after rain.

Internal use

Use no more than one tablespoon per day for dogs over 55 lbs. Small dogs can be given up to one teaspoon per day. Some people use DE only occasionally, perhaps once a month, as part of a flea prevention program. Consult with a holistic vet for dosage recommendations for parasite removal or for use on puppies or kittens.

External use

If the powder is put into a plastic bottle (such as the red or yellow ketchup or mustard bottles sold in dollar stores), it can be applied relatively easily. Run a line of the powder down the dogs back and rub in. Use once a week when fleas are active or once a month as a preventative. Using more often will dry out the skin.

Bedding, Sleeping Areas, Around Doorways or Outside: 

Spread some on, let it sit for a while, and then vacuum. When sprinkling on carpets to get rid of fleas, it's necessary to do this once a week for about 4 weeks to kill newly hatched fleas after the adults are gone.

If you have been using diatomaceous earth for your pets, please let us know your experiences and recommendations!

Continue reading below for exciting feedback from our readers who have used DE for years on their dogs and cats.

Related Links:

Health Benefits of Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Parasite and Worm Remedies
Ted's Borax & Peroxide Mange Treatment for Dogs


The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Broad Benefits

Posted by Rebekah (Spotsylvania, VA ) on 03/28/2021
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I have horses and dogs.

I had a dog, she passed from old age. But at age 12 she started to have troubles getting up in the morning after a long sleep and also had problems climbing a flight of stairs. I started her on 1 tablespoon of DE and within 2 days saw a dramatic improvement, on the third day it was as if she never had a problem and got up as her usual self and climb those stairs without a problem for the next 1.5 yrs until she started to decline as old age was getting to her. The DE helped her live her old age life to its fullest without mobility issues.

I have a horse that has been on DE for 5 years now. He use to get bad Abscess on 1 hoof. After just 6 months on DE he had no more issues. I transitioned him from an expensive all natural joint health supplements to DE over a period of 1 year. No experience of joint issues at all or Abscess.

I have another horse who doesn't digest dry foods at all. Meaning Hay, or any type of pellets (dry), or sry feed. I put her on 2 cup of DE and within 3 weeks she didn't only gain weight but was getting over weight. Had to slow down on her morning feed significantly, about half the amount. She maintained her nice shape all through winter. Once she was on Pasture, I lower the DE dosage to 1 cup during the Spring through end of Fall for benefits purposes. Saved me several hundred dollars a month on feed including lots of Alfalfa.

Just a basic idea of how much I fed her before starting her on DE to even help a little with weight. 2 full huge scoops of Alfalfa cubes daily including her, Alfalfa pellets, Oats, garlic powder, coconut powder and flaxseed. I use to spend at least 300 a month if not more just on her feed. Now, it's down to $100 every 2 months. Instead of Alfalfa pellets, I give her Timothy pellets. And I only give Alfalfa cubes as treats now.


Fleas, Ticks, Yard Hoppers

Posted by Pennie (Indpl, In, Usa) on 10/16/2010
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Natural Flea & Tick Remedy

Hi everyone!

After almost losing our Baby Kitty to those dangerous advantage medications, I decided to figure out a way to live without using them year after year. So I did searches and found out about, "Diatomaceous Earth".

This stuff is miraculous! I found mine at the local True Value Store, but you can also buy online at different retailers. BUY: FOOD GRADE! I spread this in all different areas of my lawn as well, and within 48 hours you have no more ticks or fleas. It harms all insects.

I have plenty of flowers bees, and other wonderful insects roaming around, but this gets rid of the fleas and ticks really great. And I put it down on the ground on a NON-Windy day.

ALSO: WEAR A MASK TO PREVENT BREATHING THIS SUBSTANCE! It worked great and I will never have to buy pesticide and put it on my animals again!!

Late fall I again had fleas on my dog and all I did was put small quantity on his fur and within 48 hours all fleas were dead, then I washed him, the fur was slightly dry, but so well worth it to keep him flea free.

After 3 days I washed him and put some good conditioner on him and he felt great. Usually you just have to put the Diatomaceous Earth around their tail and back area. Again in the fall, I put more of the earth around the areas that he lays in and no more fleas, after it rains you will have to put it back down again, but it's cheap.

I also put it on all my fruit tree's and surrounding tree's to keep the leaf hoppers off, and my tree's look great too!

Hope this works for all of you looking for a natural approach. With carefully placing it on the ground, I did not harm any beneficial bugs that roamed freely on my flowers.

Lot's-O-Love to all our Animal Lovers out there! Pennie"


Parasites

Posted by Mhunt13104 (Carrollton, Tx ) on 08/26/2010
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I use food grade diatomaceous earth to deworm all of my farm animals. It does a great job and yes you can see dead worms in the stool. The worms do not evacuate to other parts of the body, that information is false. The worms are killed on contact with the diatomaceous earth.