Treatment FAQ

how does the tropical flea medication work can you bath you dog in between treatment

by Sandra Hill Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Because topical flea products take effect within about 48 hours of application, you have to wait before giving your dog a bath. During this period, the substance has time to spread around the body and provide protection against fleas and ticks. If you bathe your dog before the 48-hours mark, you risk washing away the flea treatment.

Full Answer

Can you put flea medicine on a dog after a bath?

Having said that, most people seem to agree that 48 hours is a good rule of thumb to follow when applying flea medicine after a dog’s bath. You can put flea medicine on a dog after a bath, but please wait at least 48 hours.

Does rain wash off flea medicine on dogs?

The majority of flea medicines that you spot-on your dog will be waterproof, so after 48 hours a bath or rain should be fine. Under that time limit, then yes, it could wash off the flea medicine.

How do flea treatments work on dogs?

Topical spot-on flea treatments are dispersed through the dog’s coat by their natural oils. A bath and shampooing can strip a dog’s coat of natural oils; the flea medicine will pool up by the dog’s neck and not be as effective.

How long after applying flea treatment can my Dog get Wet?

It depends. As a general rule of thumbs, when you apply flea medicine to your dog you should wait for 48 hours before you let them get wet. After 2 days, providing they have the natural oils in their coat, the treatment should have started to work effectively.

How long after a flea treatment can I bathe my dog?

48 hoursAs a general rule of thumb, when applying any spot-on, topical, or at times even oral medication to your pet, it is best to wait at least 48 hours before bathing. In the case of flea and tick prevention, this allows the product to begin working effectively.

How long do I have to wait to give my dog a bath after flea and tick treatment?

We generally recommend for most topical products is that you wait 24 to 48 hours before bathing your pet.

Will bathing a dog remove flea treatment?

One lady flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day, so treating a flea problem right away is critical to getting your home under control. Bathing will wash off fleas, but if given too soon it can compromise the effectiveness of treatment. Be patient; you won't wait too long.

How often can I give dog flea bath?

Once a weekA dog with a flea infestation should be treated immediately with medication and a flea dip bath. However, flea shampoos are notoriously harsh on a pooch's skin. Therefore, be certain you don't try to give your dog with fleas a bath every day. Once a week should be enough.

Does flea medicine work after bath?

Avoid bathing your dog for a few days before and after applying spot-on flea treatment. If you bathe your dog before the application, there won't be enough natural oils to carry the medication deep into their skin. If you bathe them shortly after application, you'll wash the medicine away.

Does frontline work after a bath?

How long before and after bathing my pet should I apply FRONTLINE PLUS or FRONTLINE SPRAY? Ensure your pet is totally dry before applying FRONTLINE PLUS or FRONTLINE SPRAY products. Do not bath or shampoo your dog for at least 48 hours after application of FRONTLINE PLUS or FRONTLINE SPRAY.

Will fleas come off in bath?

Give Your Pet a Bath One of the first solutions to get rid of fleas is to bathe your pet. Just lukewarm water, or water and a mild soap, can help get fleas off your pet's fur and skin.

Do not bathe your dog 48 hours prior to application?

It's not recommended to bathe your dog 48 hours prior to application because it makes it ineffective when the dog is not absolutely dry. If not dried when applied, it keeps the treatment pooled up at the neck because it can't travel down the natural oils in the dogs coat.

Will fleas drown in a bath?

A natural enemy of fleas is water. Fleas do not swim well and will drown when submerged in water.

Can I give my dog a flea bath 2 days in a row?

You shouldn't need to use flea shampoo unless your dog has an active flea infestation. But if that's the case, you can wash your dog 1-2 times a week, but not long term.

Can I give my dog a flea bath once a week?

You may need to give your dog a flea bath as often as every one to two weeks, as the effective ingredients won't last as long as a topical or oral medication.

Can you overuse flea shampoo?

If you apply a flea treatment as recommended, you shouldn't have any problems. However, if the medication is applied excessively, or if a dog is exposed to them in some other product (such as insect sprays and fertilizers), the toxins can affect the dog's nervous system and cause a range of problems.

How long does it take for a dog to get a bath after flea treatment?

If you’ve recently applied flea treatment to your dog, taken them for walk, they’ve got really muddy, and then they need a bath within 48 hours… will the bath wash off the flea medicine? The majority of flea medicines that you spot-on your dog will be waterproof, so after 48 hours a bath or rain should be fine.

How long after advocate flea treatment can I bathe my dog?

When can I bathe my dog after advocate flea treatment? Advocate are a little clearer with their instructions explaining that showers and baths can wash off flea medicine if done within 48 hours of being applied.

How long after flea treatment can dogs get wet?

Frontline say that your dog should not get wet up to 24 hours after applying their Frontline Plus flea treatment. Whilst that’s not as long as I personally advise, it’s key to understand that by wet, they might simply mean a little rain. There’s a big difference between a dog getting wet from rainfall and being scrubbed in a bath or shower.

Can flea medicine be used on dogs?

A bath and shampooing can strip a dog’s coat of natural oils; the flea medicine will pool up by the dog’s neck and not be as effective. In fact, most topical flea treatments actually work far better on dirty dogs, as there’s plenty of oil in their skin and coat to help absorb and move the flea treatment around effectively.

Can you wash a dog after flea treatment?

Under that time limit, then yes, it could wash off the flea medicine. If you do decide to bathe your dog during the first 7 days after they have had a flea treatment, use a non-stripping shampoo that won’t remove their skin’s natural oils.

When To Put Flea Medicine On Dogs?

If you want to prevent ticks or fleas, you can start flea or ticks treatment a few months before flea season is coming. This is not as surprising as fleas are very common, especially during the springtime, when many dogs enjoy the fresh air and warmth of summer.

How To Apply Flea Medicine On Dogs?

The next question is, of course, about how to apply flea medicine to a dog. You can give medication periodically, at least once a month. But what you need to remember, do not give any medication without the recommendation of a vet.

How Soon Can I Give My Dog Another Flea Treatment?

For the right steps, you can wait until the drug works. If you feel there is no significant change, you can give the flea treatment again 30 days later.

Can You Put Flea Medicine On A Wet Dog?

You can still give the flea treatment when your dog is wet, but you can’t guarantee that the treatment will be effective because the medication must penetrate the skin to be effective.

Can You Put Flea Medicine On A Dog After A Flea Bath?

It is not recommended to bathe before flea treatment and give the drug immediately after because it can reduce the drug’s effectiveness.

Do You Have To Reapply Flea Treatment After Bath?

If you have your dog regularly checked for fleas, then you know you have to reapply your flea treatment after the bath. You’ve either got hot water, a flea shampoo, or a flea collar.

Should I Bathe My Dog Before Applying Frontline?

Many ask about “can I bathe my dog before applying frontline?” Because according to the owners, it will be more leverage if the dog bathes first. If your dog hasn’t bathed in a long time, then it doesn’t matter if you plan to do it.

When can dogs use flea drops?

Special Considerations. Most dogs are able to use flea drops, no matter what breed or size they are. The only issue is that puppies under the age of eight weeks shouldn’t use flea drops, since they use powerful chemicals.

How long does it take for flea drops to work on dogs?

It’s a liquid treatment that needs time to soak into the skin, which is why it should also be given 48 hours to work before bathing.

How old can a dog be to wear a flea collar?

There are a few things to keep in mind if you’re going to use a flea collar. The first thing is that some can be worn on dogs as old as seven weeks, with most being worn after eight weeks [ 3]. If you’re taking care of puppies younger than seven weeks old, talk with a vet about using an oral tablet.

How long do flea pills stay in the blood?

Other pills excrete their active ingredient through skin oils [ 1], which is why owners are advised not to bathe their dog within 48 hours of giving them this pill.

What to give a dog for fleas?

If you take your dog to the vet after discovering fleas, they may prescribe your dog a flea pill or chewable flea medication. This kind of pill will actively work to kill fleas, rather than working as a preventative measure. Some flea pills stay in the blood stream to kill off fleas that have begun to feed.

Why shouldn't dogs be bathed?

Most dog owners know that the reason dogs shouldn’t be bathed very often is because shampoo strips their fur of natural oils. This same concept applies to dogs needing a flea bath. If they’re bathed too soon, regular shampoos will strip their coat of any flea-killing measures you’ve taken.

Can flea drops be washed away?

Flea drops are powerful, so it may seem strange that they can be easily washed away in a bath. While this is true for some flea drops, it’s not true for all. You can buy waterproof flea drops that will stay on your dog’s coat a lot longer than regular drops.

When to put flea medicine on a dog after a bath?

Vets believe that oils return back within two to three days after a bath. Hence, it’s safe to say three days after the bath you can put flea medicine on the doggo.

Does a bath wash off flea medicine?

We have already answered if you can put flea medicine on a dog after the bath but can you put it before the bath?

How to apply flea medicine on a dog after a bath?

For the treatment to turn outright, you must follow the right instructions. What are some tips you can follow? Have a look!

How long after flea treatment can dogs be exposed to rain?

If you have taken your dog on a walk where they ended up getting themselves covered in mud, you may be wondering whether giving them a bath before the 48 hours has passed will impact the treatment’s effectiveness. As mentioned, the majority of flea treatment products possess waterproof qualities, so after 48 hours your dog can be exposed to rain ...

How long does it take for flea treatment to work on dogs?

As mentioned, the majority of flea treatment products possess waterproof qualities, so after 48 hours your dog can be exposed to rain or bathe water and this won’t affect how well it works. If you bathe them too soon, it is likely that the water will wash the treatment off before it has had a chance to work.

How long after a dog is bathed can you swim?

Again, the manufacturers behind Advocate advise that you do not bathe your dog or allow them to swim in water within the first 48 hours after applying the treatment.

Can you bathe a dog with fleas?

Although most flea treatments are waterproof, you must allow sufficient time for the treatment to work its way into your dog’s body. Bathing them too soon enhances the risk of washing the treatment off and as a result, it will be ineffective. If you treat your dog using an oral medication, it is likely that you will be able to bathe them ...

Can you use flea collar on dog?

If you have used a spot on treatment or a flea collar, you need to allow the oils time to distribute over your dog’s body. Not only is there a risk of the water washing off the product, but using a dog shampoo can also reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. This is because the shampoo is designed to clean the fur and when doing so it will also ...

Can you give flea pills to dogs?

Although oral flea treatment is considered to be more effective than most other types of treatment available, you may encounter a challenge when trying to give it to a dog that doesn’t like taking tablets . Another option is a flea collar.

Can fleas cause scarring in dogs?

As a result, you are likely to notice inflamed patches of hair loss and scarring. Aside from this, fleas can also transmit other parasites to your dog. Many dogs with a flea infestation will be asymptomatic so it is important to ensure that you keep them properly protected and keep up to date with their flea treatment.

Can You Put Flea Medicine on A Dog After A Bath?

  • To answer the question rather shortly, noyou can’t put flea medicine on a dog right after a bath. At least, not directly. Even more so, if you actually do treat your dog with flea medicine right after bathing your dog, you can be guaranteed that the flea medicine won’t work in the way that it should. So, as a general rule of thumb, you should keep ...
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Can You Give Your Dog A Bath Right After The Flea Treatment?

  • Now that it’s established that you shouldn’t put flea medicine on your dog right after bathing it, it could be beneficial to answer the question in the opposite direction. Namely, can you bath your dog right after the flea treatment? Again, this answer is also a resounding no! Just as was the case with the other scenario, doing this would be very detrimental to the outcome of the treatme…
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Why Is this?

  • To get a better understanding of why you can’t put flea medicine on your dog right after a bath, it’s necessary to dive a little deeper into the technical side of things. More concretely, it’s a must to gain insight into the way that flea medicine actually works. To make this less abstract, the most common flea medicineis brought upon a dog’s skin with the help of a pipette. Once this action i…
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Other Common Mistakes

  • Because getting your dog’s flea treatment rightis so crucial, it’s essential to shed some light on other common mistakes. Consequently, these mistakes often stand in the way of getting the desired results, and thus, they absolutely shouldn’t be underestimated!
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