- Wash all dog beds and soft dog toys in hot, soapy water. Repeat this frequently until the infestation has ended.
- Wash your own bedding, throw rugs, bath mats, and any blanket or cushion where your dog likes to sleep in hot water.
- Vacuum all carpets, hardwood floors, linoleum, and tiled floors, curtains, and upholstered furniture, and throw away the vacuum bag immediately in an outside garbage bin. ...
- 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. ...
- 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.
How to choose the safest flea treatment for your dog?
#5: Best Natural Option: Arava Flea & Tick Prevention Collar
- Effective for up to 6 months
- Water resistance
- No pesticides harmful to your dog or the environment
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
What is the best natural flea repellent for dogs?
- Traps (soapy water, electric, or glue) – kills adult fleas
- Diatomaceous earth – kills adult fleas
- Cedarwood and Neem oils – kills eggs, larvae, and adult fleas
- A Dawn Dishsoap bath – kills adult fleas and larvae
- Rosemary essential oil – repels adult fleas
- Apple cider vinegar – repels adult fleas
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.
Why do I still see fleas on my dog 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.
Is it normal to see fleas after flea treatment?
By allowing treated pets to access all parts of the home you usually let them into, your pet acts as a 'living vacuum cleaner' to kill the newly hatched fleas before they can lay more eggs. Because of this, it is normal to see fleas on treated pets during this time.
What happens to fleas on a treated dog?
Flea larvae can remain dormant in your home for months, so new fleas may continue to emerge — even after treatment. These fleas will quickly die after hatching if you've treated your home and kept up with regular flea preventive for your pet, but it can take a while for all the existing fleas to hatch and be killed.
How long do fleas live after spot on treatment?
It has a very good residual effect which means that it will continue to work for some time if left undisturbed. Adult fleas will be killed within a few days but the floor should not be vacuumed, swept or washed for at least two weeks after treatment because there will still be eggs which will continue to hatch.
Can a dog get fleas while on flea medication?
Although it may happen a lot quicker it can take up to 24 hours for fleas jumping onto your pet to be killed. There are no flea products that stop fleas from jumping onto pets. This means that regardless of the licensed flea treatment you use - you may still see fleas on your pet until the flea product kills it.
How long after flea treatment are fleas gone?
You will notice improvement after the first dose and will likely think you are flea free well before three months, however since, it can take 6 weeks or longer to get all the fleas hatched out of their pupae, three months of treatment will make sure that those fleas that hatch late will still be killed by contact with ...
IS ONE flea a problem?
So, yes, one flea can—and often does—become a problem. Flea eggs usually fall off your pet and land anywhere your pet spends time: carpets, furniture and in bedding. If your pet sleeps with you, fleas could end up on your bed as well.
How long does spot on flea treatment take to work?
Here's how it works: Advantage spot-on flea treatment is applied directly to your cat's or dog's skin via an easy-to-use pipette. The Advantage solution spreads quickly through the lipid/fatty layer across your pet's skin and coat from the point of application and kills fleas within one day.
Can fleas live in your bed?
Can Fleas Live in Your Bed? These pests infest multiple areas in homes, especially mattresses, cushions, and carpeting. Pets transfer fleas to the beds and furniture where they sleep. From here, the insects quickly spread around the house.
How do I know the fleas are gone?
You are looking for and fleas that fall or jump off. Once you see one, it is safe to assume there are more. Apply petroleum jelly to the flea comb and brush your dog a second time. If your dog has fleas, they will get stuck to the jelly and you will be able to see them.
Should I vacuum after flea treatment?
There are certain rules you must follow after your treatment to make sure it's as effective as possible. You must not: enter your home for at least two hours afterwards because the insecticide spray can be harmful to people and pets. clean or vacuum the treated areas for at least 14 days to allow the spray time to work.
How long can fleas live in carpet?
On average, a flea can live for two to three months in the carpet. But without intervention, they can stay in the carpet without end if they have a host. If a blood meal isn't consumed the flea may only survive for a few days. Flea eggs live for two to three days before hatching.
What to Do If You Spot Fleas on Your Pet
If you've discovered that your dog or cat has fleas, there are a few things you can do to provide your pet with immediate relief.
Understanding The Flea Life Cycle
In order to understand how and why treatment options work, we must first understand the flea’s life cycle since the various modern treatment and pr...
Prescription Flea Medications
There are a wide variety of flea products on the market today, but the newer prescription products are finally taking the frustration out of flea c...
How to spot fleas on a dog?
To spot fleas, check on the be lly and back. Flip the hair back or use a flea comb–you may find live fleas or fine black flea dirt. Fleas can be easily treated with effective and safe dog flea medications and other solutions.
What to do if my dog has a flea allergy?
If you suspect your dog has a flea allergy, I strongly recommend visiting a veterinarian. They can prescribe your dog fast-acting medications to kill any fleas on your dog and prescribe medications to give your dog some relief from the incessant scratching.
What is the best flea treatment?
One of the most effective flea solutions is topical or oral flea preventatives. The CDC also offers solutions including treating the home environment or pet bedding. The following suggestions will ensure that you will likely never have to battle with fleas again!
How do you know if your dog has fleas?
Sometimes, it may mean another issue, but typically, if you find your furry buddy scratching themselves more than usual, it’s most likely fleas. Here are a few more signs that you may indicate that your dog has fleas: Chewing at the back. Scratching. Live fleas crawling on your dog.
How long after flea medication can I see a dog?
It is pretty normal to continue seeing a few fleas for a month or two after you start these medications.
What is the best flea medicine for dogs?
There are other dog flea medication options available with a prescription from your veterinarian: Nexgard Chewables: This product, a monthly oral chew for dogs, is one of the most effective flea products on the market. It protects against fleas and ticks.
What is flea dirt?
Flea dirt is essentially flea poop or digested blood from where they have been feeding on your dog. To differentiate between dirt and flea dirt, place the debris on a white paper towel and put some hydrogen peroxide on it. If the debris turns from black to red, then you have just discovered flea poop!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 to apply Bravecto to cat?
Bravecto. Hold the tube upright and turn the cap one full turn. Make sure the seal is broken but DO NOT remove the cap. 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.
Where to put hair on dog?
You must part the hair so that you can apply it to the skin at the base of the neck. Read the instructions on the package; most direct you to apply it all in one spot on the neck, while a few will have you apply it to several spots along the back that the pet cannot reach (for larger dogs).
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.
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.
How to get rid of fleas on dog?
2. Use a flea shampoo to kill fleas. Flea shampoo is a fast-acting way to kill fleas on your dog. It’s a first line of defense, though, and will only last for about a week, so take your dog to the vet for a more permanent oral medication as well.
How to treat flea bites on dogs?
To treat flea bites on your dog, start by bathing your dog with a flea shampoo to kill any fleas that are on it. Afterwards, apply a flea and tick prevention medication, like Advantage, to keep fleas off your dog after bathing.
What is the best way to kill fleas in dogs?
Depending on the severity of the infestation, you first need to treat your dog with an oral pill that will kill the fleas called Capstar, then you will probably need to give your pet a flea bath, and most importantly you'll need to treat your home/environment for fleas with a flea bomb.
How to keep fleas away from dogs?
To keep fleas away from your dog, you need to keep them out of your home. Vacuum in the areas where your pet regularly rests, and use flea spray or flea traps around your home. This is especially important if your dog has had a previous flea infestation.
What does a dog's skin look like?
Take a close look at your dog’s skin to see if they have any small, red, raised bite marks. Additionally, fleas often leave behind “flea dirt,” which will look like small, dark grains of sand, as well as small white eggs that resemble tiny grains of rice.
What does it mean when a dog has bald spots?
Scabs, bald spots, and inflammation can be indicative of a number of skin conditions, including fleas. If you suspect fleas, take a look at your dog’s coat to see if the they have any areas of irritation, bald spots, or scabs. [3]
Can fleas jump on dogs back?
In severe cases, you may actually see adult fleas jumping on your dog’s back when it moves. Take your dog to the vet right away for treatment. The severity of the case also depends on your dog, so don’t panic. The vet will be able to tell you how bad it is and prescribe treatment accordingly.
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.
Tips
Vacuum your home at least 1-2 times a week to lower your pet’s chances of getting fleas. Vacuuming can remove fleas, cocoons, eggs, and larvae from your carpet, rugs, and furniture.
Warnings
Wear a face mask to protect yourself while you’re using flea spray or foggers, or have a professional exterminator come to your home.
About this article
This article was co-authored by Ray Spragley, DVM and by wikiHow staff writer, Amy Bobinger. Dr. Ray Spragley is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and the Owner/Founder of Zen Dog Veterinary Care PLLC in New York. With experience in multiple institutions and private practices, Dr.
