Fleas can be safely described as the most annoying and widespread parasites, which consider dogs, other domestic animals, and, in the absence of such, humans as food sources. There is a widespread belief in everyday life that dogs living in outdoor conditions are especially susceptible to flea infestation.
In fact, all dogs are considered at risk, including those that live in an apartment and have virtually no contact with their brothers. When fleas appear, the animal is bothered by severe itching and pain; in addition, infection with parasites can cause the development of severe infectious diseases carried by these unpleasant insects.
If larvae and adult fleas are found on an animal's fur, for example, while bathing, you should immediately begin treating the animal. We will consider below which methods are particularly effective.
Chemical pest control agents
It is generally accepted that fleas on a dog, especially one that lives in an enclosure or kennel, are a fairly common problem that does not require mandatory elimination. The above misconception can be safely called fundamentally incorrect. Infecting a dog with fleas can cause more than just severe itching.
The main danger posed by these insects is the risk of infection with infectious diseases, helminths, and hair loss is also possible. In weakened animals, puppies, fleas can cause the development of anemia.
In order to avoid such unpleasant consequences, it is important to take timely care of the dog’s health. First of all, it is important to remove fleas from fur through the use of various special products. Next, you need to completely replace the animal’s bedding and disinfect the booth or enclosure. Only with the gradual removal of parasites can you completely rid the animal of an unpleasant neighborhood.
Shampoo
Anti-flea shampoos are among the products that have a low level of effectiveness. It is recommended to wash the animal with their help only to prevent the appearance of parasites or when there are very small numbers of them. It is important to know how to properly treat your dog for fleas.
Apply the shampoo evenly to the dog’s wet coat, leave for a few minutes, and rinse. It is recommended to use such products comprehensively, combining them with more effective anti-flea medications. The following types of shampoos are especially popular: Celandine, Doctor Zoo.
Spray
Dog fleas are quite sensitive to insecticidal chemicals available in spray form. Aerosols such as Bars and Frontline will help quickly rid the animal of parasites. They can also be used for preventive purposes. It is recommended to remove fleas from a dog by applying a toxic aerosol to the animal’s withers, and it is important to ensure that the poison does not get into the mouth or mucous tissues.
It is advisable to carry out the procedure outdoors. This will help prevent accidental intoxication from toxic fumes.
Drops
Effective, long-lasting flea treatment for dogs can be carried out using a variety of drops, such as: Frontline, Advocate, Celandine, Fleanet. In order to know what is the best way to treat your dog against fleas, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian who will select the most suitable products for a particular animal, corresponding to the weight, breed, and age of the dog.
Using drops is more than simple. To do this, just apply the required amount of product to the pet’s withers area. After the procedure, you should not bathe the dog for two to three days. The antiparasitic effect from the use of drops lasts for a month . After the specified period of time has expired, re-processing must be done.
Pills
When thinking about how to get rid of dog fleas, you can consider an option such as using special chewable tablets. These products are not highly effective; they are recommended to be used only when there are a small number of parasites.
In addition, they do not have a detrimental effect on insect eggs, meaning there is a high probability of re-infection. Due to the almost complete safety of the medicine, the tablets can be used to treat weakened animals, small puppies.
Powder
If a dog flea has attacked puppies less than 1 month old, it is recommended to treat the animal with a special powder made in a veterinary pharmacy. This remedy is absolutely safe and can be used to treat weakened animals. However, to achieve a positive effect, regular procedures will be required for at least two weeks.
Collar
The most popular, easy-to-use flea control for dogs are various collars. To completely kill fleas, just put the collar on the animal, adjusting the length of the accessory if necessary.
The collar can maintain a therapeutic effect from several weeks to several months, this aspect depends on the specific toxic substances that were involved in the manufacture of the flea product.
Collars: which one to choose
Opinions are divided regarding the use of collars. Some people are sure that they can’t do without them, while others think that it’s a waste of money.
There are several facts about how to make the most effective use of a collar.
There are three types of collars: chemical, biological and ultrasonic. Chemicals contain strong substances, the smell and action of which repel parasites. Collars must be used after disinfection, otherwise fleas can move to the dog’s back and tail, where the collar’s action is not enough.
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Biological collars do not have a strong and repulsive odor; the positive effect is caused by medicines and essential oils. Recommended for sick or old dogs and puppies.
Ultrasonic collars are considered universal; the operating principle is that ultrasonic waves create an uncomfortable atmosphere for parasites. An expensive pleasure, the effectiveness of which is questioned.
Folk remedies
If the use of chemicals is not possible for any reason, it is recommended to pay attention to tips on how to rid your dog of fleas using folk remedies. There are a lot of fairly effective, safe recipes that will help eliminate parasites and also improve the dog’s condition.
Laundry soap
You can quickly rid your dog of fleas and also destroy parasite eggs using homemade soap. To make this product, you should grate one block or grind it in another way, then pour two glasses of boiling water.
Mix the mixture thoroughly until a mass has a homogeneous consistency. To enhance the effect, it is recommended to add a few drops of eucalyptus and tea tree essential oil.
The resulting medicine should be thoroughly washed by the dog. Fleas with this treatment completely disappear after just a few days of regular treatment.
Essential oils
Highly effective folk remedies for dog fleas also include essential oils that have distinct, bright odors. Extracts of citrus fruits, mint, and eucalyptus are best suited.
To obtain the desired effect, apply a small amount of oil to the animal’s withers. You can also treat your dog's bedding with the product.
Herbs
The simplest remedy against fleas on dogs is wormwood. Parasites cannot tolerate its unpleasant, very rare smell . In order to remove fleas from dogs at home, it is recommended to thoroughly wash your pet several times using a rich decoction of wormwood. It is important to ensure that the broth does not get into the animal’s mouth, as this can cause severe poisoning.
Garlic
At home, it is quite possible to prepare your own simple, safe, but effective flea remedy for dogs. To do this, cut one large head of natural garlic into small slices, then steam it with a glass of boiling water.
Let the resulting medicine brew for several hours. Apply garlic infusion to all areas that the dog cannot lick, that is, the withers and crown.
Onion
Folk remedies for fleas on dogs often involve the use of regular onions. This vegetable will help eliminate even a huge number of parasites. To prepare the medicinal mixture, you should prepare a soap solution, based on ordinary laundry soap, and then add a head of onion, grated with a grater.
Apply the finished mixture to the dog’s fur, leave it for a while, and then rinse it off using not only water, but also shampoo. If your dog constantly walks outside, it is recommended to regularly treat the animal’s fur with this product . This will help significantly reduce the risk of infection.
Needles
Fighting fleas in dogs includes treating not only the animal, but also the place where the dog spends most of his time, for example, the bedding or kennel. In order to prevent multiple re-infections, you need to know what exactly fleas are afraid of. And these parasites, as a rule, cannot tolerate strong odors.
In order to remove parasites from the kennel, you need to throw out the old bedding, and then line the bottom of the dog’s home with a thick layer of pine branches. You can place bedding on this unique coniferous feather bed. Additionally, it is recommended to apply a small amount of pine essential oil to the animal’s booth or bedding. This measure will also help repel parasites.
Vinegar
The most popular remedy recommended by treating veterinarians is ordinary table vinegar or another type of vinegar. To get rid of dog fleas, it is recommended to dilute a few tablespoons of the product in a glass of warm water, and then treat the pet’s fur with this solution. However, the procedure does not end there . To remove fleas from your dog, you need to thoroughly comb out the dog's fur after applying vinegar.
In addition, you can also use vinegar to treat the animal's kennel or bedding. This measure will help significantly reduce the likelihood of re-infection. Due to the fact that vinegar has a very strong, unpleasant odor, after treating the litter you should wash it thoroughly and also dry it outside.
It must be remembered that a one-time vinegar therapy may not bring the expected result if there are a large number of parasites on the dog’s fur. To completely remove them, it may take three to ten treatments.
When should you use powders?
The advantage of this method is that it is safe and will not harm the health of the animal or your family. Powders are often prescribed to puppies, less often to adult dogs. They can be purchased at any pharmacy.
How to use:
- Sprinkle flea powder for dogs on all of your pet's common areas where fleas are suspected of being present.
- Every three or four days, wet clean and add new powder.
- Removing parasites using powders will last about three weeks. The length of the process is a disadvantage.
Powders will affect not only living individuals, but also larvae. All parasites will be destroyed, powders are an effective and cheap, but not always the fastest method.
Features of flea removal in puppies
A particularly important measure is treating your puppy against fleas. Unreasonable actions can cause poisoning of the baby, and in severe cases, his death. In order to prevent this, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian if your puppy has parasites. A specialist will help you choose the optimal treatment method.
Up to a month
Fleas in a puppy less than a month old can cause the animal to develop serious illnesses. What to do if your dog has parasites? To kill insects, it is recommended to use the safe folk remedies given above. To prevent re-infection, it is recommended to treat not only the puppies, but also the mother.
1 month
But how to remove fleas from a 1 month old puppy? It is best to use mild anti-flea shampoos for this purpose, which will help remove parasites. However, to completely eliminate them, it is important to be patient, since the procedure must be carried out for at least two weeks. At the same time, you should regularly comb the animal’s fur.
2 months
Fleas can be removed from a 2-month-old puppy by using special shampoos and collars. In order to reduce the risk of infection, it is recommended to use anti-parasitic shampoos on a regular basis.
Also, one should not forget about the cleanliness of the animal’s fur; it must be constantly combed.
Comb and regular brushing
This method is very reliable, but it requires a lot of time and effort to thoroughly comb every area on the dog’s body. It is important to comb the animal with a fine comb; this is the only way you can comb out fleas, their eggs and excrement from the dog’s fur and skin.
This must be done regularly, and if the animal is not accustomed to combing, it may have difficulty withstanding this procedure. Especially if the dog is already an adult. Start with 10 minutes a day to avoid stressing your pet. Increase the time little by little every day. So, when the animal gets used to it, this procedure will become less difficult.
This method acts as a preventive measure; it will not be able to protect the dog from the reappearance of fleas. But combing is effective and safe for puppies. They cannot yet be smeared with strong-smelling products, and the comb will not harm the puppy in any way.
Flea comb
Signs of a pest
In order to quickly and effectively remove parasites, you need to find out in a timely manner that your dog has fleas. There are several main signs that may indicate that an animal is infected.
The main ones are the following:
- The dog is bothered by constant itching and pain, and the animal’s behavior changes accordingly.
- When a huge number of parasites appear on the animal’s fur, the dog’s condition rapidly deteriorates. There is a lack of appetite, weakness, and lethargy.
- On the animal’s fur you can see white, dark dots, which represent eggs, larvae, and adult parasites.
It is also recommended to know what a dog flea looks like. This is a small insect, no more than three millimeters long, with a dense shell, powerful hocks, and six pairs of legs. The color of the parasite can vary from yellowish to distinct brown.
Sprays, aerosols
The principle of action of sprays is similar to the action of drops. When the drug gets on the fur and skin, it poisons and repels insects . However, sprays are more difficult to use. This should be done with gloves and always in the fresh air. For several hours after treatment, the pet should not be allowed to lick itself. Also, don't pet him.
Sprays are more effective than any other drugs, as they act throughout the dog’s fur. The most famous sprays are:
- Celandine;
- Leopard;
- Frontline.
Answers to popular questions
Probably, almost every dog owner, when parasites appear in an animal, is interested in the following questions: how quickly fleas reproduce, what types of fleas can be found in dogs. As mentioned above, insects are not particularly picky in their diet; therefore, a dog can be attacked directly by dog fleas, rat fleas, human fleas, and many others. However, regardless of the species of insects, it is recommended to use similar preparations to remove them.
How does a pet become infected?
To somewhat protect your pet from parasite infection, it is important to know where fleas come from in dogs. More often, infection occurs through close contact between animals, for example, during play or fighting. However, there are many other ways. So, danger can lie in wait for a dog on the grass, earth, sand. Insects, falling from an infected animal into the external environment, can remain viable for a very long time.
Even if the animal practically does not go out for street walks (more often, keeping it exclusively in an apartment is necessary for puppies that do not have all the necessary vaccinations, as well as small breed dogs), there is a risk of infection.
This can happen upon contact with the owner's street shoes or the wheels of a baby stroller. That is, there are an incredible variety of ways to infect a dog with fleas.
Are fleas dangerous for humans?
Dog fleas may well pose some danger to humans. These parasites are not selective in their nutrition, that is, in the absence of an animal, they may well be considered a source of human nutrition.
Since fleas are carriers of serious diseases of infectious etiology, a parasite bite can cause the development of such dangerous ailments as typhoid, salmonellosis, and various types of helminthiasis. In order to avoid infection, you should begin removing parasites from an animal immediately after detecting signs of infection.
Tips for treating dogs for fleas
- start treatment immediately, since this infection will not go away on its own, but will only multiply, thereby complicating the process of getting rid of them;
— when treating an animal, it is necessary to treat its place and the room in which the dog is most often;
— means for treatment must be selected depending on the age of the dog, its size, and other characteristics;
— during treatment, limit the dog’s time for walks and contact with other animals;
— if there are other pets in the house, then it is necessary to inspect them for the presence of parasites and take preventive measures to avoid infection.
