what flea treatment can i use on my puppy

Puppy & Kitten Advice

• Flea treatment for all pets.
• Flea-killing house spray (make sure to read the safety label).
• Carpet cleaning.
• Regular hoovering and sweeping, including in the darkest and hardest to reach areas. Don't forget to throw away the dust...
• Hot washing fabrics at over 60 degrees, as this will destroy any fleas.

Full Answer

Is it safe to put flea prevention on a puppy?

Your veterinarian will be able to recommend a flea and tick preventative for puppies to safely use, and advise you on when it’s safe to begin administering it to your puppy. Flea treatment: According to veterinarian and AKC Family Dog columnist Jeff Grognet, Capstar is safe to give to puppies as young as four weeks old (and a minimum of 2 pounds).

How often should you treat dog for fleas?

What is a flea's life cycle?

• An adult flea can lay hundreds of eggs in a matter of days
• Flea eggs fall off pets onto carpet, bedding into floorboards and onto soil
• After hatching, larvae eat the faeces of adult fleas and other organic debris before spinning a cocoon and pupating
• The pupa can stay in the cocoon for up to a year, waiting for the right conditions to emerge

Can a puppy get sick from a flea?

Many dogs suffer from flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), an allergic condition caused by flea bites. In fact, flea allergy dermatitis is one of the most common reasons pet owners take their dogs to the veterinarian. Flea bites can trigger an immune response in your dog with symptoms that include:

When can you put flea powder on a puppy?

• 1 cup Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth (click here to buy it on Amazon)
• 1/2 cup Neem Powder (click here to buy it on Amazon)
• 1/2 cup Yarrow Powder (click here to buy it on Amazon)
• 20 Drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil* *Leave out the essential oil if using for cats.

How to get rid of fleas in puppies?

Bathing your puppy with a gentle flea shampoo that’s specifically formulated for young animals can help alleviate some flea-related skin irritations, Hance says. This will also remove the adult fleas living in your pup’s fur.

What to do if my puppy has fleas?

A doctor can confirm the infestation and prescribe proper age-appropriate treatment.

What to use to keep fleas away from my dog?

Herbal sprays like lavender, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil can help repel fleas from your home, Hance says.

What is a flea comb?

A flea comb will help you find the fleas themselves, as well as any debris they leave behind. While you’re grooming your pup, look for symptoms of fleabite dermatitis, Hance says. This occurs when a dog is allergic to flea saliva.

When to use flea preventatives for puppies?

Some commonly prescribed flea preventatives for puppies can be used as early as 4 to 6 weeks old.

How to get rid of larvae in carpet?

Give your house a good cleaning to remove any eggs or larvae embedded in your carpet, rugs, and furniture, Hance says. Vacuum all floors and furniture that have upholstery or padding, he adds, and throw the vacuum bag out immediately.

Does flea shampoo kill fleas?

But flea shampoo doesn’t kill flea larvae or remove their eggs, he says, so prescription flea and tick medication may be necessary. Talk to your vet before applying any kind of prescription or over-the-counter treatment. Many of the common chemicals used in flea medications are too harsh for puppies, Morgan says.

How to get rid of fleas on a puppy?

Get some damp paper towel or cotton wool and gently wipe up some of the specks. If the area around the speck turns reddish-brown, it's flea dirt. Live fleas. You may be able to see live fleas in your puppy's coat if you part the fur or stroke them backwards. Fleas are very fast though, and can be difficult to spot!

How to treat fleas in dogs?

The main points to remember are that you need to: 1 Treat all dogs and cats in the home with flea treatment. Check other furry family members carefully to check they are not also infested, and treat if required. 2 Treat pets with flea treatment regularly going forward.

How to keep fleas away from puppies?

The best way to keep fleas at bay is to treat your puppy regularly with a good quality flea treatment. There are a number of different options, but not all of them may be suitable for your puppy, so you should check with a Vets4Pets vet as we will be able to give you the most appropriate advice for your pet.

What to do if your puppy has fleas?

The main points to remember are that you need to: Treat all dogs and cats in the home with flea treatment.

Why does my puppy have sores?

Hair loss and sores. If your puppy is itching a lot, they may damage their skin, leading to sores developing and hair loss. Anaemia. In young puppies, a flea infestation can cause so much blood loss that the puppy becomes anaemic. This can look like weakness, and pale gums.

Why does my puppy lick my skin?

Your puppy is licking or biting at their skin. If you have more than one dog, or any other furry pets in the home, you may see them also itching. You may even be itching yourself, and see red bumps on your skin where fleas have bitten. Flea dirt.

What does it mean when a puppy has a tapeworm?

This can look like weakness, and pale gums. Tapeworms. If your puppy has a tapeworm, it may have come from a flea. Tapeworms can survive inside fleas, and get transmitted into your puppy if they accidentally consume the flea when licking their coat.

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.

What to use to treat fleas?

Choose and apply an environmental flea control spray or fogger that will treat all stages of fleas, or call a local exterminator.

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 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).

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?

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 give a dog flea and tick preventatives?

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.

Is flea treatment age appropriate?

Age: Flea treatments must be age-appropriate; many are not made for young puppies. Look at the product’s label for this information.

Can you play with a Seresto collar?

However, if you have small children in your home, do not let them play with a Seresto collar or the included reflector clips. All flea and tick collars tend to leave traces of the chemicals that make them effective around the dog’s environment and on your pet, so this may be a concern with young children who tend to put everything in their mouths.

Can ivermectin cause neurologic problems in dogs?

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. Your pet’s lifestyle: The presence of children and other pets (especially cats) in the household and your pet’s daily activities/exposure to ...

How to treat fleas in puppies?

Give your pet frequent baths to help control flea outbreaks, but avoid shampoos made specifically to treat fleas, as these can be too strong for young puppies.

How to get fleas out of a puppy?

If your puppy is too young for flea products, you can follow these tips while using Capstar: Use a fine-toothed, metal flea comb to remove adult fleas from your pet. Then put the fleas into a basin of soapy water, which will suffocate them so they can be safely disposed of. Give your pet frequent baths to help control flea outbreaks, ...

What Dangers Do Fleas Pose to Puppies?

Puppies in particular are at risk for developing anemia from heavy infestations of fleas, as their blood volume is so small to begin with, and their immune systems are not fully developed.

What happens after fleas eat?

After feeding, fleas will jump off and seek out their next meal. They will find another animal or look for a spot in your home or yard to make themselves cozy, reproduce, and continue their life cycle. Our climate-controlled homes make the perfect place for fleas to set up shop.

How old is a puppy when you use Capstar?

Once a puppy is around 6 weeks of age, some products that work for longer periods of time can be applied. Revolution is one example, but check with your veterinarian for the best option for your puppy. If your puppy is too young for flea products, you can follow these tips while using Capstar: Use a fine-toothed, metal flea comb to remove adult ...

How to get rid of fleas in my house?

Be sure to treat baseboards, windows, doorframes, and other areas where fleas may try to hide. Wash your pet's bedding, throw rugs and pillow s to destroy fleas and eggs. Use foggers, powders, and sprays to kill fleas and inhibit their growth.

Can fleas kill puppies?

Many flea control products that are safe for adult dogs are not safe for younger puppies. Check the labels for age restrictions before using dog flea products on your puppy. Though it isn’t a long-term solution, one of the safest products on the market to kill adult fleas in puppies as young as 4 weeks of age and weighing as little as 2 pounds is ...