Summary: How often should I treat my dog for fleas
- Treat your dog for fleas monthly (as a minimum)
- Always check your dog for signs of new flea infestations even if you treated them recently
- When you know your dog has fleas, you need to treat all areas of your home for fleas too
- Use proven flea treatment to treat your dog both curatively and prevtatively
Full Answer
How long does it take for flea treatment to work on dogs?
Please note that symptoms may take up to 12 hours to appear after the flea treatment has been applied, as it can take some time for the insecticides to make their way into the dog's system.
What percentage of fleas should be treated?
And it’s not just adult fleas you need to watch out for, because they only make up less than 5 percent of the flea population. You should be treating your home for adults plus the other 95 percent—flea eggs, flea larvae and flea pupae.
Do I need to treat my pet for fleas?
So, it’s extremely important to treat your pet’s environment, too. And it’s not just adult fleas you need to watch out for, because they only make up less than 5 percent of the flea population. You should be treating your home for adults plus the other 95 percent—flea eggs, flea larvae and flea pupae.
What to do if your dog has a reaction to flea medicine?
If you think your dog is having a severe reaction to a flea medication containing pyrethrin or pyrethroid, take them to a veterinarian immediately. Pyrethrin insecticides are derived from the chrysanthemum flower, while pyrethroids are the synthetic versions.
How long do you have to wait between flea treatments?
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.
How often should you give dog flea treatment?
Fleas can still jump onto your puppy in the winter, and your warm home will be the perfect environment for triggering flea eggs to hatch. So, if you're asking yourself “how often should I give my puppy flea treatment?”, the answer is every 4 weeks for optimal protection – year-round, leaving no gaps.
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.
Can you repeat flea treatment on dogs?
While you can reapply flea treatment early in some cases, you should talk to your veterinarian to find the best and most effective flea treatment for your pet.
Can I reapply flea treatment early?
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.
Why does my dog keep getting fleas even after treatment?
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.
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.
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.
Why do I still see 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.
Can I apply advantage after 2 weeks?
Because it's been 2-3 weeks since the last application, yes you can apply it again. You can also give her Capstar. It's a one time pill that starts killing fleas in 30 minutes, and it's safe to use with the Advantage.
What if flea treatment doesn't work?
However, if you are still seeing high numbers of fleas or if you have concerns about the quality of your flea product then call your veterinarian for advice. There will likely be a waiting period (of a few days or weeks) before you can apply another flea treatment, depending on what you've already used.
What do you do when flea medicine doesn't work?
Why Has My Pet's Flea Medicine Stopped Working?Make sure to apply topical medications correctly (do not split medications to use on more than one pet)Make sure your pet's skin is healthy so topical flea medications work well.Treat your yard and house where 95-99% of the flea population lives.More items...
How long does flea medicine last on dogs?
Depending on which product you buy, these are effective for between three and 12 months, Dr Huggett told us and explained more. "Most veterinary medicines that you apply to your dog to kill fleas should be used monthly to effectively prevent a flea infestation.
How to kill fleas on dog?
Treat your pet with a product to kill any fleas already living on it. Use a licensed veterinary medicine product (look for the Vm number on the pack) which has been proven to kill fleas. Be sure to read the packaging carefully to make sure it’s suitable for your dog and you use it correctly. 2.
How do you know if a flea comb is lodged?
The spines on a flea comb are far smaller and closer together than a normal brush or grooming comb, meaning the fleas become lodged between the spines of the comb. After thoroughly combing an area, stop and look at the comb’s teeth to see if they have trapped any fleas.
What does it mean when a dog has a flea infestation?
Anaemia. Fleas can drink up to 15 times their own weight in blood per day, so a heavy flea infestation can mean your dog won’t have enough red blood cells to remain healthy and carry oxygen to other parts of the body. Read more about anaemia in dogs ⇢.
How to prevent fleas in dog?
The most important way to prevent a flea problem developing in your home is to treat every area that your dog has access to with a the help of products that kill flea infestations. Browse products that kill fleas in your home. ⇢.
How to tell if a flea is flea grit?
Thoroughly brush their coat, ensuring any dirt and grit falls onto the white paper. Adult fleas falling from the coat will be easy to identify on the white paper. If any red-brown circles form on the white paper, this is a positive indication of flea dirt.
What is a wet paper test for fleas?
The wet paper test to check for fleas. Flea dirt (flea faeces) consists of undigested blood, so when this grit-like material is applied to a wet or damp surface, red, pink or reddish-brown circles can be seen. Select a flea comb or brush, and stand your dog over a piece of wet, white paper or a wet, white sheet.
Can I Apply Advantage After Two Weeks?
Advantage II can kill the existing fleas on your fur-buddy within 12 hours. If you’re worried about new parasites, do not be. Advantage protects against them too and lasts up to 4 weeks, so no more itching or scratching all day long, giving you peace of mind and your pet the relief they need.
Can You Overdose A Cat with Flea Medicine?
Flea treatment such as Advantage contains an active ingredient known as Imidacloprid. Though considered safe to use insecticide, it may cause some harmful reactions when used on cats younger than seven months of age. And result in shaking, drooling, vomiting and a stark drop in appetite.
What Should You Do If Your Dog Or Cat Has Product Toxicity?
It’s important to take care of your furry friends when they need it most. If you notice any signs that their skin is irritated, contact a licensed veterinarian and get them bathed right away with warm water and a mild detergent such as dishwashing liquid or baby shampoo.
Can You Double Up On Flea Treatment?
The answer is no. Read the manufacturer’s instructions. Wait for the time mentioned and let the medication work to produce results. It is usually 30 days before re-application. Or, if you want to reapply, rinse your pet with a shampoo that drains off all the skin oils and then apply after 24 hours.
How Do I Know If Flea Treatment Is Working?
Flea products are necessary for your pets, and they come in such as flea collars, sprays, tablets, and spot-on. Speak with a veterinarian before choosing the right product because some can take up to three days while others will only need an hour!
Why Does My Cat Still Have Fleas After Using Advantage?
There are a few reasons why even after using Advantage, your cat displays fleas.
Summing up
If you love your pets and want to give them the proper medication the right way, this article is for you. We have enlisted all the necessary information you may need to keep your pet healthy and free of fleas. Use all the suggestions well and share the word with other pet parents too. Should you require more information, do let us know.
How to apply flea treatment?
How to Apply Each Brand of Topical Flea Treatment 1 Hold the tube upright and turn the cap one full turn. 2 Make sure the seal is broken but DO NOT remove the cap. 3 Cats: Part the hair at the base of the neck and apply the entire tube to the skin. You can apply to a second spot directly behind the first if there is overflow. 4 Dogs: Part the hair at the base of the neck and apply to the skin; do this in one or more spots depending on the size of your dog. For larger dogs, choose two or three spots along the spine to continue the application.
How many active ingredients are in flea prevention?
Flea preventions typically use one or two active ingredients to do the job of preventing fleas. Each brand will use different active ingredients, and these ingredients will work in different ways to prevent fleas. An overdose for most flea preventions could result in the following: Profuse drooling. Vomiting.
How long do fleas live in the environment?
Flea eggs and larvae can live in the environment for days or weeks. It is best to regularly vacuum all the locations of your home where your pet spends time, wash all bedding in hot water, and keep your pets on flea prevention.
Where to apply hair spray for dogs?
You can apply to a second spot directly behind the first if there is overflow. Dogs: Part the hair at the base of the neck and apply to the skin; do this in one or more spots depending on the size of your dog. For larger dogs, choose two or three spots along the spine to continue the application.
Can you treat fleas in your home?
Your Home Hasn’t Been Treated for Fleas. In conjunction with topical flea treatments, you need to treat your home to provide the best defense against fleas. Most flea preventions do not repel fleas. Flea preventions kill fleas either by direct contact with the fleas or from the fleas feeding on your pet.
