What to do when flea medicine isn't working?
Dec 17, 2020 · As with humans, exfoliating your pet’s skin and removing extraneous dead skin cells will provide a clean surface for the topical. Follow the directions on your topical, but the directions on most topicals advise to make sure the coat is …
Why is my flea treatment not working?
Apr 07, 2021 · Combing. One of the most effective- though time-consuming- methods to rid your pet of fleas if Frontline stops working is to give your pup a brush down. Flea combs help remove live fleas, although it doesn’t kill them. These combs also …
Why is the seresto collar not working?
Jun 12, 2019 · Incorrectly applying topical flea prevention is the most common cause for its failure to work. Flea prevention is expensive, and you don’t want to waste a dose. Topical medication should be applied directly to the skin, not the hair. You must part the hair so that you can apply it to the skin at the base of the neck.
What is the best homemade flea treatment?
Dec 16, 2017 · Dunk the comb into hot soapy water after each pass throgh the fur to drown the fleas. Vaccum frequently. Give your cat a bath in blue Dawn dish soap or have a groomer give a flea bath.Keep on top of washing blankets, bedding, etc in hot water. There are more tips here: Homemade Flea Remedies For Cats Kefa, JamesCalifornia and maggiedemi
Why is my topical flea treatment not working?
Incorrectly applying topical flea prevention is the most common cause for its failure to work. Flea prevention is expensive, and you don't want to waste a dose. Topical medication should be applied directly to the skin, not the hair. You must part the hair so that you can apply it to the skin at the base of the neck.Jun 12, 2019
What do I do if flea treatment 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 soon can I reapply topical 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.
Can I reapply flea treatment if it doesn't work?
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 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 has my dog still got fleas 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.Feb 19, 2018
Can you overdose a dog on flea treatment?
Common signs of toxicity from flea products containing organophosphates are diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, small pupils, muscle tremor, weakness or falling over, and drooling. Organophosphate toxicity can be rapidly fatal, depending on the ingredients and dose the pet is exposed to.Aug 17, 2018
Can I give my dog two doses of Frontline?
The minimum time to wait between two treatments of FRONTLINE HomeGard® is 6 months. It is not necessary to use FRONTLINE HomeGard® repeatedly, if you are regularly treating your cat or dog with an effective flea and tick treatment such as FRONTLINE® spot-on products.
What happens if you apply Frontline too soon?
Symptoms of toxicity can include twitching, hypersalivation, trembling and seizures. If you start to see tremors shortly after applying the flea treatment, the best thing to do is bathe Fluffy or Fido in lukewarm water with a gentle dish soap like Dawn or Palmolive.Jan 14, 2015
Can you double up on flea treatment?
Never double up on products. There's no need to pair a powder with a spot-on treatment. 3. Wear gloves, or wash your hands with soap and water after you apply the drug.May 8, 2021
Can cats overdose on flea treatment?
There are usually no long-term effects from overdosing if the cat receives immediate treatment. If you used a pyrethrin containing flea and tick product that was formulated for cats and you are sure that it was applied properly, and your cat still showed signs of toxicity, do not use a product that uses pyrethrins.Dec 23, 2010
Are You Really Sure You’Re Doing It Right?
The first thing to check (and double-check and triple-check) are the directions of whatever flea medicine you bought. For instance, if you are givi...
How Healthy Is Your Pet’S Skin?
Dry and unhealthy skin can affect how well spot on treatments work. A good washing and combing of your pet’s coat could help with the application o...
Where Are All The Fleas Coming from?
Some estimate that over 90% of the flea population lives not on your dog, but in your house and your yard. You may be doing your best to keep your...
When Did You Start The medication?
Once you see fleas on your pet, it’s going to be more difficult to get them off than if you were using the medicine as protection before the pests...
Are You Treating All Your Pets For fleas?
Well, are you? Just because one isn’t scratching as much as the other doesn’t mean that all of your pets aren’t suffering from fleas. That also mea...
Why aren't flea products working?
Another reason for products not working is by not treating your home and yard, where in some cases 80% of the flea life cycle may occur. Read how to control fleas indoors and outdoors.
Is oral flea medicine effective?
The newer oral flea medications are becoming very popular and with good reason — they’re even more effective than topical treatments at killing adult fleas and keeping your pet flea-free. Plus, with an oral flea treatment, you eliminate the mess of topical flea treatments and the worry about whether you’ve applied the product properly.
Where are All the Fleas Coming From?
Some estimate that over 90% of the flea population lives not on your dog, but in your house and your yard. You may be doing your best to keep your pet flea-free, but if the rest of the area is infested, you may still be seeing some scratching. Consider treating your home and yard for pests as another measure to keep your pet healthy.
When Did You Start the Medication?
Once you see fleas on your pet, it’s going to be more difficult to get them off than if you were using the medicine as protection before the pests showed up. Many vets encourage owners to use flea medication year round, but if you want, you can also begin treatment a few months before the peak flea season beings.
Are You Treating All Your Pets for Fleas?
Well, are you? Just because one isn’t scratching as much as the other doesn’t mean that all of your pets aren’t suffering from fleas. That also means more fleas laying eggs in your home! However, if you have both cats and dogs, make sure to use the species-specific medication for each.
Are You Being Patient?
If you’ve exhausted all other options, maybe it's because you're trying to rush through the process.
What to do when fleas invade your house?
The best course of action is to throw any soft fabrics that your pet has come into contact with into the washing machine. Your pet’s bedding should be the first concern.
How to get rid of fleas on dog?
To prevent fleas on your dog, mix one cup of water with six to seven drops of oil in a spray bottle and apply to your pet’s coat every other day. Here’s a list of essential oils that are effective against fleas: ● Tea tree oil – must dilute adequately to avoid poisoning (.1%-1%) ● Peppermint oil. ● Citronella oil.
Why is Frontline not working?
The main reason that Frontline may fail as a flea product is a large infestation of fleas being present in various stages. When there are eggs, larvae, and pupae/young fleas, Frontline is ineffective.
What to use on a dog's collar if they don't wear bandanas?
If your pet doesn’t mind wearing bandanas around their neck, apply a diluted water and oil solution ( lavender or cedar) directly onto the fabric. You can also use this solution on a regular collar if bandanas aren’t an option.
Who is Heather Abraham?
Heather Abraham is an owner of two dogs, one cat, a leopard gecko, and a parrot (who her dad still cannot teach bad words to), and an avid blogger. From the time she was a young girl, she always felt a connection with pets. She brings her love of every type of pet to you, with information on animal nutrition, medication, toys, beds, and everything else in between. She puts pups first while offering other various information along the way.
Why do dogs wear flea collars?
All pets should wear a flea collar to help protect them from flea bites and infestations . There are numerous prescription and over-the-counter collars available for varying prices, with Seresto being the most proven and popular. You can even DIY your own with the right materials!
What is the best flea repellent?
Vodka. Vodka, believe it or not, is another excellent flea repellant. Don’t worry – you don’t have to waste all your yummy vodka to protect your furry friends! Pour yourself a shot and set aside a teaspoon to make your pet’s collar. Make sure the vodka is plain, as the flavored varieties will not work.
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 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.
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.
How to get rid of fleas in cats?
While the flea medicine slowly works, you can do other things to get rid of the fleas. Comeb your cat's fur frquently with a fine toothed comb to remove fleas and eggs. Dunk the comb into hot soapy water after each pass throgh the fur to drown the fleas. Vaccum frequently.
Does Broadline kill fleas?
Some use Advantage. They both kill fleas and the eggs . I don't know the active ingredients in Broadline . If one medication fails to work I would try a different one. Sometimes with longhair cats you must make sure you part the hair and apply the drops directly on the skin .
Can flea resistance be explained?
Most suspected cases of flea resistance can be explained by one or more of the above issues. If you’ve addressed all of those and are still battling a flea problem, speak with your vet about using a different product to help your specific set of circumstances.
Can flea spray be used on a dog's coat?
With spot on treatments, application of liquid to the skin is crucial. If most of the vial is squeezed on the coat rather than the skin by carefully parting the hair, then it won’t be as effective . Or only effective for a short period of time, leaving your pet prone to fleas before their next dose is due.
What is the best flea killer for cats?
Imidacloprid: This ingredient kills fleas by disrupting the nervous system. It kills both adult and larval stage fleas that come in contact with the pet. It is approved by the EPA for use on cats and dogs. Pyrethroids: You may see pyrethroids on the list of active ingredients under a few different names.
How does fipronil work?
Fipronil: Fipronil works by attacking the nervous system of the parasite to paralyze fleas and ticks to ultimately kill them. Fipronil spreads over the cat or dog through body oils in about a day. It releases over time — usually about a month.
Can you give a dog flea and tick medicine?
Oral flea and tick medication treatments—which come as chewables or pills — are ingested by your pet, rather than applied to his body. The medicine is transmitted to adult fleas when they bite your pet. There are different active chemicals used in different flea and tick pill medications, some of which last a few days and others that last a month. The most common active chemicals in oral treatments include:
Do flea and tick medications work?
Some pet owners complain that flea and tick medications don't work as well as advertised, but veterinarians and flea and tick medication producers told The New York Times that when the products are used correctly, they do work. Problems crop up when pet owners make mistakes in applications or have unrealistic expectations about how the treatments work.
How long does it take for a tick to show up on a dog?
Signs and symptoms of tick-borne illnesses may take anywhere from 7 to 21 or more days to appear, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Luckily, there are many types of flea and tick medications available to stop these tiny terrors from making their home on your dog or cat. The most popular kind of effective treatment is a topical ...
Does Lufenuron kill fleas?
Lufenuron: This compound does not kill adult fleas. Instead, any larvae produced by the adults will not survive. Medications with this chemical are approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for dogs and cats. It does not kill ticks. Spinosad: Spinosad only kills adult fleas, not ticks. It works by overstimulating ...
Does Spinosad kill ticks?
It does not kill ticks. Spinosad: Spinosad only kills adult fleas, not ticks. It works by overstimulating the flea's nervous system, which causes its death. Medicines with spinosad are not recommended for dogs with epilepsy. Harvard Medical School also reports that the FDA approved a topical medication called Natroba for humans as ...
