Treatment FAQ

why is my flea treatment not working

by Katheryn Lehner Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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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

Why won’t flea treatment work on my Pet?

Jun 08, 2020 · Understanding The Flea Life Cycle. One of the reasons pet parents may think their flea control is not working is because of a flea’s life cycle. A flea has four stages which include: Adult Flea; Larvae; Pupae; Egg; When a flea leaves the pupae and locates its host (such as your dog), it will live there it’s entire lifespan.

Why is it so hard to get rid of fleas?

The reasons why cats and dogs seem to keep getting fleas, despite using flea treatment products, range from improper use to forgetting to treat the environment at the same time. Using flea treatment products too late The most common reason why a flea treatment appears not to work is because pet owners fail to realize the enormity of the situation.

Can a small lapse in flea treatment cause long term problems?

Sep 28, 2017 · 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 . In cases of heavy flea infestations, some home products such as Advantage Carpet and Upholstery Spray kills fleas and ticks quickly and continues to kill fleas for two weeks.

Can you split flea treatment doses between pets?

Dec 17, 2020 · The product will not function properly if you try to do so. If the product does not reach your pet’s sebaceous glands, it will not work effectively. This is common in pets that have extremely dry skin or thick fur. As with humans, exfoliating your pet’s skin and removing extraneous dead skin cells will provide a clean surface for the topical.

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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.

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.

How soon can you reapply flea treatment?

There is no single answer for this frequently asked question. 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.

Why is no flea treatment working on my dog?

There are a variety of reasons why your flea medication may not seem to be offering any relief for your pet. The product may be a cheap over-the-counter treatment, you may be using the medication incorrectly, or you may not be keeping your pet's environment clean, which is vital to eradicating fleas.May 3, 2021

Why is my cat still scratching after flea treatment?

It's fairly typical after you've applied Itch Flea for there to be a period of hyperactivity amongst the fleas as the product takes effect, and this can cause an increase in itching. It should settle down though after 24 hours.Apr 23, 2021

Can I use Frontline every 2 weeks?

Treat all your dogs and cats every month for optimal flea control. When applied correctly, FRONTLINE PLUS remains active against fleas for at least one month. If you are in a paralysis tick area, apply FRONTLINE PLUS FOR DOGS every 2 weeks to provide paralysis tick control for your dog.

What do you do if frontline doesn't work?

Speak to your veterinarian about this first if your flea medicine is not working. One Frontline alternative is to switch to another topical product. Another alternative is to supplement the topical product with another product that works internally, such as Capstar.

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 you use Frontline twice in a month?

If a pet still has fleas, many veterinarians will use the product more frequently than once monthly, sometimes as often as once every 2-3 weeks. However, this process is often considered to be “off label use,” and I would not use the product this way unless first speaking with your pet's veterinarian.Aug 9, 2010

Why does my dog still have fleas after using frontline?

A. The active ingredient in FRONTLINE (fipronil) kills fleas by affecting their nervous system, making them hyperactive before dying. These dying fleas often rise to the top of your pet's haircoat, so the presence of visible fleas after treating your pet, is a sign that the product is working.

What kills fleas on dogs instantly?

The most common product used to kill fleas on dogs instantly is Nitenpyram, more commonly known as Capstar. This single-use tablet is administered orally and kills fleas within 30 minutes. It is recommended that you contain your pet in a small area when using Capstar.Jun 29, 2020

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.

Understanding The Flea Life Cycle

One of the reasons pet parents may think their flea control is not working is because of a flea’s life cycle. A flea has four stages which include:

How Fleas Appear On Treated Dogs

There are a few reasons why fleas still appear on pets even after their flea treatments. These include but are not limited to, the following:

Getting Rid Of Fleas Takes Time

Eradicating a flea infestation may take longer than you think — it’s all about treating the environment and your pet. It’s also important to note that even though your dog is on a treatment for fleas, it does not mean that fleas won’t hop on them.

2. You used the wrong treatment interval

Remember that each flea treatment will have a recommended dosing interval. This is usually once every month, but it can vary. You should always follow the recommended interval because these instructions are specifically written to match the life cycle of fleas, which is about 1 month to go from egg to adult.

4. Fleas are still hiding in the household

It is a great idea to treat your household with a concentrated flea spray like this one every year, regardless of whether you have noticed fleas. But if you know that one of your pets has had fleas recently, treating your household as well as all in-contact pets becomes absolutely vital to guarantee complete extermination.

So, how do I get rid of fleas?

To recap: Use a quality product, follow the instructions, and be sure to treat your cat’s surrounding pets and environment to get the best results. Even if you do everything right, you may get an occasional breakthrough flea problem. It can feel like nothing is working.

Why do you need flea and tick spray?

Often times, if your yard is heavily landscaped or you live near a wooded area, it is smart to invest in flea and tick yard spray to add another level of insect security. This will give your pet even more protection from those pests.

Why is it important to exfoliate your pet's skin?

Similar to humans, it is important for your pet’s skin be exfoliated so extraneous dead skin cells are removed and the topical treatment can work properly.

Does a pet's skin affect the results of a med?

Healthy Skin is a Must. Your pet’s skin could easily be affecting the medication results. As mentioned above, if the product does not reach your pet’s sebaceous glands, it will not work effectively. This is common in pets that have extremely dry skin or thick fur.

Can flea collars be used for ticks?

Flea collars are effective, hassle free and one of the only forms of prevention can be combined safely. To banish fleas and ticks once and for all, we recommend treating your house and yard with preventative products to ensure an insect-free lifestyle.

Can flea medicine be absorbed into pet skin?

If the product doesn’t hit the skin, it cannot be absorbed in your pet’s sebaceous glands where it works its flea-fighting magic. Also, make sure you are using the entire tube of medication.

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.

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.

Can fleas be treated with oral flea medicine?

Consider switching to oral flea medications. 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.

Can pet hair medication be applied to skin?

This is something that can be somewhat of a challenge for thick haired pets; however, the pet medication will not work properly if only the hair follicles receive the medication – it must be applied to the skin.

Do pet owners see fleas?

All too often, a pet owner will come in and share their experience in which he or she regularly applies topical flea prevention, yet is frustrated that after several treatments they are still seeing fleas.

Can Advantage II be applied on multiple spots?

For instance, for large dogs, Advantage II requires the product to be applied on multiple spots down the pet’s back.

What is Advantage Yard and Premise Spray?

The Advantage Yard & Premise Spray and the Enforcer Flea Spray for Homes are just two products that can help you win the war on fleas & ticks! Insects are known for their ability to develop resistance to insecticides. Currently, there are insects resistant to EVERY synthetic chemical insecticide used. There are many factors to developing resistance.

How do insects develop resistance?

There are many factors to developing resistance. In a population of insects, there may be a few individuals that carry the genes for resistance. These genes arise from mutations and are rare. In the natural environment, the mutant insect is typically compromised, weaker and produces fewer offspring.

Why do insects die when exposed to insecticides?

Upon exposure to insecticides, insects that do not carry the resistance genes die. This allows the individuals with the resistance genes to survive and reproduce, creating more resistant insects. So with every generation, the number of resistant insects increase.

Can flea medicine be absorbed by pets?

If the product doesn’t hit the skin, it will not be absorbed in your pet’s sebaceous glands. That’s where the flea-fighting magic happens! Make sure you are using the entire tube of medication on your pet. Don’t skimp and try to save a few dollars by splitting the product between months or between pets.

Can you rub a pet's coat the wrong way?

With topical spot-on products, it’s important that the product reaches your pet’s skin and doesn’t sit above their epidermal layer. You’ll want to rub your pet’s coat the wrong way so you can see skin. If the product doesn’t hit the skin, it will not be absorbed in your pet’s sebaceous glands. That’s where the flea-fighting magic happens!

Can you switch to Advantage 2 Frontline Plus?

For example, if you’ve been using Frontline Plus on your pet for years, and notice it isn’t as effective, try switching to Advantage II . Don’t switch to a product with the same active ingredient as what you have been using. In all likelihood, it will not be effective.

Can you exfoliate your pet's skin?

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 completely dry before applying the product.

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