Treatment FAQ

how long should you wait before trying a different flea treatment

by Clair Paucek Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

The known safe answer is to wait the period of time the product is supposed to work, typically 30 days, before reapplying. An alternative is to bathe the pet in a detergent shampoo (meant to strip off skin oils) and reapply after 24 hours.

Full Answer

Can I reapply flea treatment after 2 weeks?

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS Veterinarian A flea infestation on your pet or in your home can be difficult and frustrating to deal with. Yes, if after two weeks the flea preventive you applied isn't working, you can reapply flea treatment early, or switch to another brand. I recommend using Advantage or Revolution.

How long after flea treatment can I wash my dog?

Giving your dog a flea bath is a great way to combat fleas, but you have to wait a bit if you’ve already tried a different flea treatment first. Wait at least 48 hours for treatments to work before washing your dog’s fur clean. Any medication will need time to soak into or out of your dog’s skin to kill fleas.

How long does it take for flea medicine to work?

Have patience Flea medicines don't work right away. It takes time for the medicine to fully break the flea life cycle. It usually takes more than one dose of medicine. Follow the instructions on the package for the proper dosing schedule or ask the vet if you are unsure. Is Broadline a monthly flea medicine?

Does flea treatment kill fleas immediately?

The fleas will die immediately but new ones hatch and you need to repeat the treatment. You also need to do a deep cleaning in your house, fleas are not easy to get rid of. My dad owned cattle and even though we lived far from the farm, in the city, and he always showered and wore clean clothes before coming home, he'd bring them with.

Can you switch flea treatments?

Pet parents who are unhappy with the medication's performance or dislike the application method often consider switching their pet's flea meds. But is it safe to change your dog's flea treatment? The short answer is yes — but you have to be very careful when doing so.

Can I use two different flea treatments?

Never use multiple flea medications on your pet, unless directed to do so by your veterinarian. Fleas can be a very frustrating problem, and some medications may not produce immediate effects.

Can I reapply flea treatment after 2 weeks?

Yes, if after two weeks the flea preventive you applied isn't working, you can reapply flea treatment early, or switch to another brand. I recommend using Advantix or a chewable prescription product from your vet, like Bravecto, Nexgard, Simparica, or Credelio. This recommendation is unrelated to Petco or PetCoach.

Can you put flea treatment on more than once a month?

can you use before 30 days is up. Under normal conditions this product is effective for one month. However, in cases of severe flea infestation, retreatment may be necessary earlier than 4 weeks. Do not retreat more often than once every 14 days for kittens or once every 7 days for small and large cats.

Why am I still finding fleas after treatment?

As eggs hatch and develop, you might find fleas reappearing 10-14 days after treatment - this is quite normal and provided the insecticide remains in place it will kill them. This is why it is important not to carry out cleaning which might remove insecticide.

What do you do when flea medicine doesn't work?

It's time to go and see your vet. Don't be embarrassed – your local veterinarian deals with fleas all the time and it is no reflection on your home or ability to care for your pet. Your vet will be able to work out what's gone wrong and help you to get rid of the fleas.

How soon can I use Frontline Plus again?

The known safe answer is to wait the period of time the product is supposed to work, typically 30 days, before reapplying.

Can you use Frontline twice in a month?

If a pet still has fleas, many veterinarians will use the product more frequently than once monthly, sometimes as often as once every 2-3 weeks. However, this process is often considered to be “off label use,” and I would not use the product this way unless first speaking with your pet's veterinarian.

What happens if fleas Don't go away?

Not treating often enough Fleas go through a life cycle of egg, larvae, pupae and adult. Most flea treatments just kill adult fleas, but fleas can continue to emerge for months after you think an infestation has ended. When a newly emerged female flea finds a host, she can lay eggs within one day.

What happens if you give a dog too much flea treatment?

Common signs of toxicity from flea products containing organophosphates are diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, small pupils, muscle tremor, weakness or falling over, and drooling. Organophosphate toxicity can be rapidly fatal, depending on the ingredients and dose the pet is exposed to.

Why does my dog still have fleas after using frontline?

A. The active ingredient in FRONTLINE (fipronil) kills fleas by affecting their nervous system, making them hyperactive before dying. These dying fleas often rise to the top of your pet's haircoat, so the presence of visible fleas after treating your pet, is a sign that the product is working.

How often can you apply flea treatment?

A spot-on treatment comes packaged in individual doses of liquid that can be applied by pouring the medicine onto your pet's back, between the shoulders. One dose generally keeps a pet safe from fleas and ticks for one month, Dr. Wooten says, but will need to be applied more often if your pet swims or is bathed often.

Can I use Frontline and Advantage together?

Frontline products should not be used in conjunction with Advantage or Advantix products.

Can you use Capstar and Frontline Plus at the same time?

Yes you can. I would wait a few hours after using the cap star so it has time to kill the fleas. This will help make the advantage/frontline more effective.

Can you overdose a dog with flea treatment?

Common signs of toxicity from flea products containing organophosphates are diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, small pupils, muscle tremor, weakness or falling over, and drooling. Organophosphate toxicity can be rapidly fatal, depending on the ingredients and dose the pet is exposed to.

Can I use Frontline and Seresto at the same time?

Yes, absolutely you can use both, but since the collar lasts 8 months, remove it for a week after you reapply the Frontline Plus. Then you can safely put the collar back on.

How long should I keep fleas off my dog?

Use a monthly preventive on all pets for at least 3 consecutive months to break the flea life cycle. Year round use is preferred. You will also have to treat the environment. Wash all bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces.

What to give Mia for fleas?

I recommend using Advantage or Revolution. This recommendation is unrelated to Petco or PetCoach. If you are seeing fleas on Mia now, you can give her Capstar ( Nitenpyram ). It's a one time pill that starts killing adult fleas in 30 minutes and is safe to use with a topical treatment.

Can I reapply flea treatment after 2 weeks?

1 answer. A flea infestation on your pet or in your home can be difficult and frustrating to deal with. Yes, if after two weeks the flea preventive you applied isn't working, you can reapply flea treatment early, or switch to another brand. I recommend using Advantage or Revolution. This recommendation is unrelated to Petco or PetCoach.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Can you bathe a dog with flea pills?

Talk with your vet about how the active ingredient in your dog’s flea pill is administered, so you know when it’s safe to bathe them too.

Can you use Heartgard with flea and tick treatment?

Heartgard is a go-to option if one is looking to combine a heartworm preventatives with flea or tick treatments. This is because Heartgard doesn’t target fleas or ticks and thus doesn’t hinder with the other process. The catch here is to assure the absence of heartworm treatment from the flea or tick treatment. If not so, the combination should be avoided.

Can I use Capstar and Comfortis at the same time?

Though it is not usually recommended to use more than one oral flea treatment at the same time, it’s safe to combine Comfortis &Capstar.

Can you spray your house for fleas and ticks?

Though external flea and tick treatments, i.e., treatments of your house or surroundings do not conflict with the preventatives being administered to your pets, it would be a smart move to avoid spraying your pet while treating your house for fleas and ticks.

How long does it take for Frontline Plus to work?

Usually the maximum that you will have to wait before applying Frontline Plus is 30 days, which allows the chemicals from previously applied products to be fully processed and out of your pet's system.

Is flea control easy for pets?

Flea infestations are an utter nightmare for pets and their owners. These wingless parasites measure just a few millimeters in length, but their bites are highly irritating, and what's worse, they are not always easy to get rid of. You may well already know the importance of using flea control products for your pets on a regular basis, ...

Does Frontline Plus work on fleas?

While many flea control pet meds contain pyrethrin based insecticides which have negligible results, Frontline Plus has a unique formula which is outstanding in its effect on fleas.

Is flea collar effective?

Anti-parasite shampoos, flea collars and sprays often promise so much but are frustratingly ineffective. If you are not satisfied with the results that you see with the flea control product that you are using, switching to another is the best option.

Can I switch to Frontline Plus before flea and tick control?

Because every flea and tick control pet med is different, before applying Frontline Plus, you should have a chat with your pet's veterinarian and confirm how long to wait before you make the switch.

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 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 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.

Why you should wait to pet your cat after flea treatment

Petting your cat immediately after flea treatment is no good for you or your cat. It’s important to let some time pass before touching your cat. If you don’t, you are not just making the flea treatment ineffective, but you are also making it a health risk for both you and your pet.

Some tips for a safe flea treatment for your cat

So, the question is – how long should you wait to pet your cat after you have applied her flea treatment? The answer will depend on the product. Here are some tips for a more effective and safe flea treatment for your cat.

Avoid petting your cat immediately after applying flea treatment

No, you should not pet your cat when you have just topically applied flea treatment on her. This will rub off the flea treatment, making it ineffective and putting you at risk of skin irritation.

How to get rid of fleas in cats?

While the flea medicine slowly works, you can do other things to get rid of the fleas. Comeb your cat's fur frquently with a fine toothed comb to remove fleas and eggs. Dunk the comb into hot soapy water after each pass throgh the fur to drown the fleas. Vaccum frequently.

Does Broadline kill fleas?

Some use Advantage. They both kill fleas and the eggs . I don't know the active ingredients in Broadline . If one medication fails to work I would try a different one. Sometimes with longhair cats you must make sure you part the hair and apply the drops directly on the skin .

Can you spray flea killer on carpet?

Location. Nebraska, USA. Yes, make sure you vacuum more often, and even spray some flea killer on the carpet to kill the eggs and fleas you suck up. Wash blankets and covers almost daily and spray the area where your cat sleeps before you replace the bedding.

How Long After Flea Pill Is taken?

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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. Other pills excrete their active ingr…
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How Long After Flea Collar Is removed?

  • Flea collars, such as Seresto, are another common treatment for fleas that many dog owners choose to use. They’re relatively cheaper than flea pills, since they can be bought at a pet store without a prescription. You can bathe your dog immediately after removing the flea collar. It will continue working as soon as it’s put back on your dog[2].
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Conclusion

  • Giving your dog a flea bathis a great way to combat fleas, but you have to wait a bit if you’ve already tried a different flea treatment first. Wait at least 48 hours for treatments to work before washing your dog’s fur clean. Any medication will need time to soak into or out of your dog’s skin to kill fleas. If you have any questions about a speci...
See more on centralparkpaws.net

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