How to Combat Fleas in Dogs?

Everything is fun and games until one day you see something dark, significant, and unwanted on your pup’s coat. There we have it. It’s a flea. Frustrating right? Well, it’s dangerous as well. You need to get rid of it as soon as possible.

From flea shampoos for dogs to guards and vet visits, there are multiple ways to eliminate them from your pup’s coat. Let’s find out how to combat a pest infestation in your dog.

What Are Fleas?

Fleas are tiny insects that stick to your dog’s skin and do not move. They feed off of blood and get bigger with time. Fleas are flightless, and they do not affect people. Also, they don’t get on humans but are easily transferred from one dog to another.

Even the cleanest of dogs can have fleas because of their exposure to environmental conditions. If you find your dog scratching and biting its skin without any ‘visible’ reason, look deeper because there might be a flea lurking.

Steps to Remove Fleas From Body

Once you detect a nasty pest mooching blood off of your dog, take immediate action to destroy it. Let’s find out the most efficient ways to eradicate them.

Prevention from occurrence

Cut the mindset of “we’ll see when it happens” and start protecting your furries against fleas in advance. Use flea shampoo for dogs occasionally and have a close look at their coat. Brush your dog regularly to check for any species living on their skin. Also, take your pet to a vet after regular intervals for maximum safety and protection.

Eradication

If attempting to prevent an infestation is ineffective, use these methods to remove fleas. Oral flea-removing methods like a guard or a strong chemical liquid are physical measures to irritate the fleas. You should use a flea shampoo for dogs to eliminate eggs and suffocate the bigger fleas. Shampoos are a helpful product, but they’re mainly an aid and form a protective layer on your dog’s skin.

Additionally, vets also recommend prescription medications from high-end brands that start working instantly after consumption. It can be challenging to feed some pups medication in the form of a tablet or capsule. Injections are also a thing, but most owners do not want their dog to go through pain when there are other methods available. Injections can disturb the hormones of some dogs as well.

Elimination from living space

Another essential step you must take is to eliminate fleas from your living space. You must conduct a deep cleaning and vacuuming session in all parts of your home. Use a bug repelling, anti-insect surface cleaner to mop the floor. Take your dog’s toys and wash them with the same flea shampoo you use to bathe your pet until their toys are safe to use. Consider removing and replacing them with new ones after the dog is clean.

Clean your bedsheets, pillows, and car seats regularly, so there are no chances of pests surviving within the fabric. Hire someone or purchase a flea treatment for grass. Avoid leaving your dog without a flea guard, and ensure that it does not come into contact with any other dog while walking.

Conclusion

Dogs are susceptible to fleas due to environmental changes and contact with other pets. You must follow prevention methods consistently throughout the year to avoid a massive flea build-up. There are multiple treatment options that offer quick results and let pet owners ensure the maximum safety of their dogs against these nasty insecticides.