Which dog flea treatments should you use on your dog?
Pros:
- Cheaper than flea collars
- You can use shampoo, spray, or powder on several dogs
- Spot-on is water resistant
- Fast acting and kills fleas in all life stages
How soon can I give my Dog another flea treatment?
Revolution/Revolution Plus:
- Hold the tube upright and press the cap firmly until you hear a click.
- Remove the cap and make sure that seal has been broken.
- Part the hair at the base of the neck and apply the entire tube to the skin.
- Keep the tube squeezed so the liquid isn’t sucked back into the tube.
- Make sure the tube is empty.
What is the best remedy for dog fleas?
Some of the plants you can try to help you get rid of fleas on dogs naturally include:
- pennyroyal
- lavender
- clove
- spearmint
- thyme
- chrysanthemums
When should I start my dog on flea medicine?
👉 When should you put flea medicine on a dog? Most flea and tick products are not safe to use on puppies until they've reached at least seven or eight weeks of age (see chart below). Your veterinarian will be able to recommend a flea and tick preventative to use and advise you on when it's safe to begin administering it to your puppy. 7 weeks/3 lbs.
Does it matter where you put flea treatment on a dog?
Shoulder to shoulder It is best to apply the spot on in two places if you can; this increases the skin surface area being treated, which in turn speeds up absorption. And for smaller dogs and cats there can sometimes simply be too much fluid to apply in a single spot.
Where is the best place to put flea treatment on dogs?
Choose a spot on the back of your dog's neck, ideally by the base of the skull. Part your dog's fur so you can see their skin and apply a small blob directly to the skin. If you have a large dog, consider applying two small blobs, about a centimetre apart.
Should I bathe my dog before applying flea treatment?
Apply Spot-on Flea Treatment 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.
How is flea treatment given?
Topical spot-on flea treatments are simply applied to the back of your pet's neck, preventing your pet from picking up fleas for up to a month at a time. Spot-ons work by transporting the active ingredient across your dog's body on the skin and hair, and some spot-on products kill fleas through contact.
Does it matter if flea treatment goes on fur?
When you apply the flea medication, it's essential to completely part the pet's hair so that the medication can be applied directly to the skin. If you have a pet with thick fur, this can present a challenge.
Does flea treatment still work if on fur?
Medication on Fur But if the flea medication gets onto Toby's hair on the back of his neck, he probably won't be able to get to it. Just to be safe, take the rag and rub in any flea gel glistening on his fur. That way the formula can get closer to his skin to protect him from any crawling critters.
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. The dish soap can help to drown adult fleas.
Can you wash dog after flea treatment?
For most topical flea treatments, including spot treatments, baths, powders, sprays and dips, wait at least 48 hours before regular bathing to allow the treatment to start working and absorb into skin.
How often should you wash your dog with fleas?
A 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.
Why do you put flea treatment on the back of the neck?
The reason you apply it to the back of their neck is to prevent them itching it away, this is important for its even distribution. Use the recommended dose on each dog, don't share pipettes if you have more than one dog. Wait 24 hours before bathing your dog to ensure the solution is distributed properly.
How long will I see 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.
Can my dog sleep in my bed with fleas?
Although fleas tend to prefer dogs, they can hop around and bite you sometimes too. So yes, if your dog has fleas and sleeps in your bed, this could lead to a flea problem that sneaks up on you in your sleep, leaving you with lots of itchy bites in the morning.
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 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.
Why does my dog scratch his skin?
bathing. shampoo. parasites. Fleas are a nuisance. These tiny, blood-sucking parasites irritate your dog and infest your home — often before you realize that fleas have moved in. Many dogs are allergic to flea bites, which can cause intense scratching, red and flaky skin, scabs, hot spots, and hair loss.
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.
What is the best way to apply flea treatment?
Have your dog in a seated position so they are not moving around as you put the product on, you may need a helper if your dog is a wriggler. Choose a spot on the back of your dog’s neck, ideally by the base of the skull. Part your dog’s fur so you can see their skin and apply a small blob directly to the skin.
Need advice on applying flea treatment?
For expert advice on applying flea treatment, get in touch with your local vet.
Apply the medication between the shoulder blades
First of all, find the area between the shoulder blades of the pet. It is the two bones below the neck. This is an area which is difficult for your pet to reach with his mouth and is the best place for treatment.
Apply the treatment on the skin
You need to ensure that the medication is absorbed for it to be effective. It needs to be applied directly to the skin for fast effect. Lift up the fur and expose the skin before applying.
Wash your hands after application
You never know if the medication will give you a skin irritation. You need to wash your hands before and after its application.
What is the best flea treatment for dogs?
So, what's the best flea treatment for dogs? 1. Flea and Tick Collars. Believe it or not, prevention can be as simple as putting a collar on your dog.
What is the best chew for fleas?
If your pup is suffering from a flea infestation, try a soft chew that’s similar to a treat. Advantus Soft Chews for Small Dogs and Advantus Soft Chews for Large Dogs are made with imidacloprid, an insect neurotoxin that works to paralyze and kill fleas within one hour of treatment.
What is the best flea collar for a puppy?
The Seresto 8 Month Flea & Tick Collar is a veterinarian-recommended flea collar that comes in two options. The Seresto 8 Month Flea & Tick Collar for Large Dogs and the Seresto 8 Month Flea & Tick Collar for Small Dogs are both safe for puppies and dogs that are 7 weeks and older. These collars will work start killing off any fleas on your dog ...
How long does it take for a flea collar to work?
These collars will work start killing off any fleas on your dog within the first 24 hours. Summer and swimming go hand and hand, so you may be hesitant to get a flea collar if your dog loves to cool off in the water.
How long does it take for K9 Advantix to work?
It easily treats and kills any fleas and ticks that may come your dog's way. K9 Advantix for dogs starts working within 12 hours and will kill all stages of fleas, which will prevent a reinfestation.
How to make a dog collar work?
The collar works by rubbing on skin, so if you have a long-haired dog, trim the hair around the neck to help the collar work best. 2.
Is it safe to keep a dog indoors with fleas?
By Lindsay Schencker. Now more than ever is the time to be proactive about pest prevention. Flea and tick season is at its peak in summertime, so you’ll want to ensure your dog stays safe. It's important to keep in mind that your pet can also be affected by fleas and ticks indoors.
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.
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?
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, ...
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 ...
Does Frontline Plus work?
Frontline Plus is an OTC product that uses fipronil and (S)-methoprene to attack fleas and ticks at every life stage. It also eliminates chewing lice and helps to control sarcoptic mange infestations. While it shouldn’t be ingested, a few surreptitious licks by your dog won’t cause much in the way of problems.
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.
Signs of a Flea Infestation on Your Dog
You can see adult fleas with the naked eye, although it isn't always easy. But most of the time, you'll notice the symptoms of a flea infestation before you notice the fleas themselves.
7 Top Home Remedies for Fleas on Dogs
You've confirmed the presence of fleas on your dog, either by symptoms, the presence of flea dirt, visible fleas in your dog's coat, or all of the above. Now what?
When to See Your Veterinarian
If a flea infestation is severe or home remedies aren't working, it's time to visit the vet.
Flea Prevention Tips for Dog Owners
Just like any health problem, preventing fleas is better than dealing with them after the fact. Prevent a flea infestation in your dog by:
Home Remedies for Fleas on Dogs: What to Know
It's no fun when your dog has fleas. Before resorting to flea collars and other methods, you might want to try some natural home remedies. From apple cider vinegar, citrus baths, and coconut oil to pest-control methods for the home and/or yard like diatomaceous earth and nematodes, a variety of solutions might work for you.
What is Advantage flea medicine?
Advantage flea medication is a medication made for dogs that prevents fleas, flea eggs, and lice. It will also kill any fleas, flea larvae, or lice currently on your dog. Advantage is applied as one dose to your dog's skin. It's easy to apply as long as you follow instructions carefully.
Where to apply Advantage to a dog?
Apply Advantage directly to the skin. If you're applying Advantage to a dog under 25 pounds, only apply the dose between your dog's shoulder blades. For a larger dog, apply a dose between the shoulder blades, on the middle of the back between the hips, and at one point in between these places.
How to give a dog a syringe?
Place the open tip of the applicator on the exposed skin at the base of the neck. Squeeze the applicator tube to release the whole dose onto the skin , for a small dog. For a large dog, release about a third of the dose. Release the other two thirds elsewhere on the dog's skin.
How long does it take for Advantage to work on dogs?
Advantage is waterproof, but you want to make sure your dog is dry when you apply the first dose. Advantage takes about 24 hours to absorb in your dog's skin.
How to get the Advantage on a dog?
Use one hand to part the fur and expose the skin. Use a disposable hair clip or hair elastic to hold the fur out of the way if your dog is long-haired or has a thick coat. This will help you get the Advantage on the dog's skin, not the fur.
How to get my dog to stand up?
Make sure your dog is standing up before you apply Advantage. Be sure your dog is standing still. Have a second person hold the dog, if necessary. If your dog is nervous about standing, try using treats to coax your dog into a standing position. You can also use treats to encourage your dog to behave.
Can you use Advantage on another dog?
If you have another dog, make sure that dog does not lick the area where Advantage was applied. Keep the dog dry after application. If your dog has a monthly bath, bathe him or her before applying Advantage. Advantage is waterproof, but you want to make sure your dog is dry when you apply the first dose.
