- 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
How long does a flea treatment last for dogs?
Oral flea treatments are easy to administer and typically offer one or three months of protection per dose. These flea treatment medications are usually flavored so most dogs actually enjoy taking them!
How often can I bathe my dog after applying flea treatment?
Ideally, you should wait several days after application to bathe a dog. Topical treatments generally need to be applied monthly. There are several oral prescription flea and tick medications that are considered to be quite safe for dogs. These preventatives come in pill and chew forms.
Do you need a prescription for flea treatment for dogs?
Many of the safest and most effective options require a veterinarian’s prescription, so it makes sense to have this discussion sooner rather than later. Veterinarians typically recommend dog flea and tick collars, topical flea and tick treatments, or oral flea and tick medications (sometimes in combination) to fully protect their patients.
How do I choose the safest flea treatment for dogs?
When it comes to choosing the safest flea treatment for dogs, you’ll want to pick a product that will provide effective flea protection but with as little risk to the health of your dog as possible. Fleas are a serious nuisance to your dog, causing itching and all-around misery.
How often should you apply flea treatment to dogs?
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.
Do dogs need flea treatment every month?
Treat all the pets in your home regularly (usually every month but some products vary so check the insert or ask your vet) with a suitable flea treatment. Regularly wash your pet's bedding on a hot wash to get rid of any flea eggs that might be lurking there. Use a long-acting household spray regularly.
How long do dogs need flea treatment?
The most popular flea and tick medications for dogs and cats last for at least a month; some are even effective for eight to twelve weeks!
How often should flea treatment be given?
Pets, especially dogs and cats, require regular attention to keep them in perfect health. One tip is to administer flea and worm treatment; a monthly top-up that can help to protect your pet against serious health complications in the long-term.
How often do dogs need flea and tick medicine?
monthlyOnce your puppy is old enough, it's important to start using a monthly flea and tick preventive medication to help ensure that your dog won't be affected by fleas or ticks in the future. Many of the treatments available and are effective for preventing both fleas and ticks.
How often should dogs be wormed and Flead?
every three monthsThis depends on which product you use. We have flea spot-on treatments for dogs and cats that can be applied monthly or tablets that last for one month for cats and 1-3 months for dogs. Worming tablets can be given every three months for adult dogs and cats.
Should dogs have flea treatment all year?
Yes. Though many species of ticks and fleas are slowed down or dormant during the winter, certain areas of the United States are not cold enough to truly kill these parasites and stop their activity. Because ticks and fleas can carry diseases that could harm your dog, it's best to keep them protected all year long.
Is flea and tick monthly?
Although fleas and ticks are a threat to pets year-round, these pests become most active during the warmer months, starting as early as March in some areas of the United States.
What happens if you miss a flea treatment?
Many tick and flea medications are manufactured in a once-monthly topical application or pill formulations. If you miss that monthly dose, your pet is at a potential risk of getting flea or tick bites, which can transmit some serious diseases.
How soon can I reapply flea treatment?
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.
What months do dogs need flea and tick medicine?
Flea and tick season will start with the onset of spring in late March to early April. However, depending on how far south you go, it may end in either November or December according to when the temperatures drop for winter.
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.
How long does a flea collar last?
Flea collar: Products like Hartz® UltraGuard Plus® Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs are able to protect your pooch against these pests for up to seven months. Flea spray: A short-term solution can be to use Hartz® UltraGuard Plus® Flea & Tick Spray for Dogs. This only kills and repels the bugs for up to seven days, but it will stop flea eggs ...
How long does Hartz flea spray last?
Flea drops: Hartz flea drops will protect against bugs, eggs, larvae and reinfestation for up to 30 days at a time. Flea shampoo: Shampoos like Hartz® UltraGuard Plus® Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo with Aloe will kill any fleas ...
Does Hartz Ultraguard Plus kill fleas?
Flea shampoo: Shampoos like Hartz® UltraGuard Plus® Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo with Aloe will kill any fleas and ticks on your pet, and protect against reinfestation for two weeks. This content is provided by the flea and tick experts at Hartz. We believe in offering safe, effective and affordable parasite prevention for every dog and cat.
Can ticks make dogs sick?
Flea and tick bites can irritate your dog's skin or make him sick, as often these pesky insects carry diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease. These pests can be a threat year round, but they're especially problematic in the summer when their populations flourish.
How long does it take for a dog to get rid of fleas?
You also need to determine how to get rid of fleas in your home. This requires patience. It can take as long as three-to-four months to get rid of an infestation, as it takes this long for all of the fleas in your home to go through their life stages.
How to deal with fleas in dogs?
The best way to deal with fleas is prevention. Flea and tick preventatives kill fleas that come in contact with your dog, preventing your pup from bringing them home in the first place. There are several options out there, from flea collars to topical liquid applicants and pills.
How many eggs can a flea lay?
Fleas go through four life cycle stages: Egg. Larva. Pupa. Adult. The adults live on animals like your dog, where they digest blood and lay their eggs. One female flea can lay up to 2,000 eggs.
What to do if my dog has ridden in my car?
If your dog has ridden in your car lately, you should vacuum the seats. Continue to treat your dog and any other pets with a monthly preventative. During flea season, don’t let your dog interact with strange dogs and be sure his puppy playmates are free of fleas. 4.
How to get rid of ticks in my yard?
Choose and apply an environmental flea control spray or fogger that will treat all stages of fleas, or call a local exterminator. Choose and apply a spray, pellet, or nontoxic flea treatment for your yard. Keeping grass and brush short will also make your yard less inviting to fleas and ticks.
How long do fleas stay in a dog's cocoon?
During the pupa stage they form cocoons, where they wait for several days or up to one year — preferably for the fleas in the comfort of your carpet, sofa, or bed — until a warm-bodied host appears. Then they hatch, become adults, and infest their animal hosts – such as your dog.
How long does it take for a flea to lay eggs?
One female flea can lay up to 2,000 eggs. These eggs hatch in 1-10 days and spread throughout your home and yard every time your dog scratches, shakes, or lies down. They then hatch into larvae that can move on the host and feed on blood and flea dirt (digested blood from the adult fleas).
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.
When Can Flea Medication Be Applied to a Puppy?
Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to start treating your puppy for fleas at the same time that they start going outside at around eight weeks. Fortunately, this is also when most treatments become safe to use.
How Often Do Puppies Need Flea Treatment?
There are many different ways to treat a puppy for fleas. How often you treat them is totally dependant upon the method you choose.
Puppy Friendly Flea Medications
When you are purchasing flea medication for your puppy, you’ll need to make sure that it’s suitable for their age.
Are Fleas Common for Puppies?
Unfortunately, fleas are common when it comes to dogs and puppies alike. Fleas are abundant in many areas and puppies are very curious.
What Happens if Fleas Are Left Untreated on a Puppy?
If fleas are left untreated, they will continue to multiply quickly and before you know it you may have a severe infestation on your hands.
How to Tell If Your Puppy Has Fleas
It is very important that you know if and when your puppy has fleas so you can get rid of them quickly. Luckily, it is usually fairly easy to tell whether or not your puppy has fleas.
How to Get Rid of Fleas on Puppies
The way in which you treat your puppy for fleas depends upon exactly how old they are.
What is the best flea treatment for dogs?
Types of Safe Flea Treatments for Dogs. Veterinarians typically recommend dog flea and tick collars, topical flea and tick treatments , or oral flea and tick medications (sometimes in combination) to fully protect their patients. Here are a few of the safest flea treatments for dogs on the market today and some of their pros and cons.
What factors to consider when treating a puppy for fleas?
Factors to consider include: Age: Flea treatments must be age-appropriate; many are not made for young puppies. Look at the product’s label for this information. Breed: Coat type may influence your decision. Thicker coats may be difficult for topical treatments. Your pet’s health history: Other medications or supplements that you give, ...
How to treat fleas and ticks in dogs?
Keep in mind that no two pets are the same. Therefore, a product that’s commonly considered to be safe flea and tick prevention for dogs may be a great option for one animal and a mistake for another. Factors to consider include: 1 Age: Flea treatments must be age-appropriate; many are not made for young puppies. Look at the product’s label for this information. 2 Breed: Coat type may influence your decision. Thicker coats may be difficult for topical treatments. 3 Your pet’s health history: Other medications or supplements that you give, concurrent health conditions, and previous reactions to flea and tick preventatives should be taken into account. For example, neurologic problems have been seen in dogs when high doses of ivermectin (heartworm prevention ingredient) are given in conjunction with spinosad, a flea preventative ingredient. 4 Your pet’s lifestyle: The presence of children and other pets (especially cats) in the household and your pet’s daily activities/exposure to the outdoors are important details. 5 Where you live: Which parasites are common in your area? Is resistance to certain preventatives a concern?
Can flea and tick collars be used on cats?
As is the case with flea and tick collars, if you’re unable to keep your pet away from small children or animals who may come into direct contact with the medication before it has dried or absorbed into your pet’s skin, a topical treatment might not be the ideal solution. If you have cats in your home, you will want to talk to a veterinarian ...
Is a flea collar safe for dogs?
Under many circumstances, newer dog flea collars are safe options for flea and tick control (unlike older collars, which were largely ineffective). The Seresto collar is a very popular option right now. It uses flumethrin and imidacloprid to kill fleas at multiple stages of development as well as ticks. The collar’s effectiveness lasts ...
Can you treat a dog with thick coats?
Thicker coats may be difficult for topical treatments. Your pet’s health history: Other medications or supplements that you give, concurrent health conditions, and previous reactions to flea and tick preventatives should be taken into account.
Does Trifexis work against ticks?
Trifexis employs spinosad and milbemycin oxime to keep dogs protected from heartworms and intestinal parasites as well as fleas, but it does not work against ticks. Your vet will need to prescribe this treatment. Bravecto chews (it also comes as a topical) offer protection from fleas and ticks for 8-12 weeks per dose.
Dog and puppy flea treatment advice
The only way to be certain that your dog does not have fleas is by using regular, good quality flea control which is recommended by your vet, as they are very common in the environment and can easily be picked up on walks. A single application of any product is not sufficient.
What do I do if my dog has fleas?
As well as getting your pet treatment as soon as possible, it’s important to remember that the parasites only spend a limited time on the animal. Their eggs tend to build up in cracks and crevices, such as down the sides of armchairs – and can survive for anything up to a year.
What dog flea treatment shall I use?
There is a vast array of products available in pet shops and supermarkets – but it’s best to consult your vet as spot on treatments and medication in the form of tablets are the only effective long-term methods of flea control. Before using any product, it’s essential that you ask your vet for advice.
How do I get rid of fleas in the home?
Thorough vacuuming followed by the use of an insecticide spray containing an insect growth regulator is a good way of eliminating fleas in the home and other areas. A single application can last for six months to a year.
Can dog fleas live on humans?
There are about 2,000 different types of fleas and only one of those can live on humans, so it is extremely rare. All other fleas cannot survive on human blood but can be transmitted from pet to pet by people, as they are capable of leaping long distances.
Choosing the safest flea treatment for dogs
To choose the safest flea treatment for dogs, you’ll first need to consider the type of flea treatment that best fits your dog’s needs and lifestyle. Flea treatments are available as collars, oral tablets or chews, and topical spot-on treatments.
Flea collars for your dog
Many pet owners prefer to use collars as their flea treatment because this method is easy and mess-free. Some of the modern flea collar products even last as long as 8 months, so you won’t have to remember to administer your dog’s flea treatment on a regular basis – a great plus for many busy families!
Topical flea treatment for dogs
Topical flea treatments are often seen as a safe flea treatment for dogs because many types of this medication are not absorbed systemically, meaning they do not cross the dog’s skin barrier or get absorbed into the blood stream. This can be a safer option for dogs with a history of reactions to certain types of medications.
Oral flea treatment for dogs
Oral flea treatments are easy to administer and typically offer one or three months of protection per dose. These flea treatment medications are usually flavored so most dogs actually enjoy taking them!
Summary
The bottom line is that there are many safe and effective flea treatments available for your dog, and that is great news! You have many options to choose from depending on your lifestyle, budget, and personal preferences.
