Treatment FAQ

why is no flea treatment working

by Dr. Felicity Hansen DVM Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

There may be a number of reasons why your flea treatment isn’t working for your pet. The product could be made of low-quality ingredients or low-powered chemicals, you could be administering the product improperly, or you could be failing to keep your pet’s area clean, which is essential for flea eradication.

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

Full Answer

What to do when flea medicine isn't working?

Jun 08, 2020 · 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 …

What do if your treatment isn't working?

May 21, 2021 · Treatments most commonly fail for one or a combination of five reasons: Using the wrong product Failing to apply the product correctly Using the wrong treatment interval Failing to treat all the pets in the household at the same time Fleas are still hiding in the household 1. You’re using the wrong product

Why is the seresto collar not working?

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.

What is the best homemade flea treatment?

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.

image

What do you do when flea medicine 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...

Why is nothing working for fleas?

If you have pets with long hair and matted fur, it's likely the fleas are living in the matting and it's hard to kill them. You may need to cut their fur short and take them to the groomers to get it done if you're not comfortable doing it yourself.

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 does my dog keep getting fleas even 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

How do you get rid of fleas that won't go away?

Control the environment – Adopt control strategies including: Vacuum the carpet 2-3 times a week to remove eggs, wash pets blankets weekly (in the washing machine), spray the house, kennels and yards with an adult flea killer, fog the house to prevent larvae developing.

How do I get rid of stubborn fleas in my house?

Sprinkle salt. Much like baking soda, salt works in a similar way. According to Rentokil, if you sprinkle some salt on your carpet, leave for two days and then vacuum up, it will help to get rid of fleas quickly.Jul 19, 2021

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 cats instantly?

Medicines your cat eats. The pill nitenpyram (Capstar) kills adult fleas on your cat within 30 minutes. It doesn't have any lasting effects, though. Spinosad (Comfortis) is a fast-acting chewable that starts killing fleas before they lay eggs.Feb 6, 2021

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

How do you break the life cycle of a flea?

Fleas cannot fly, but they move by jumping from object to object. It can take up to 3 months to break a total flea life cycle by using monthly flea treatments. For indoor flea control, vacuuming all floors, carpets, baseboards, pet bedding and furniture will help remove adult fleas and eggs.

What do you do when 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.

How many stages of life do fleas go through?

PLAY SOUND. Fleas go through four life stages. Only a very small proportion of the infestation is the adult fleas on your pet. None of the flea-killing products can get through the cocoon and kill the pupa.

Can fleas feed on rabbits?

There’s no point in treating your dogs if the adult fleas can feed on your rabbit, or on the neighbour’s cat that sleeps on your sofa sometimes! The minute you forget a day of your dog’s treatment, or use a sub-standard product, they’ll catch fleas again. Make sure you treat all the animals in the house so the adult fleas have nowhere safe to go! If you have a visiting cat, please check with their owner before applying flea treatment, to avoid double-dosing.

How long should I bathe my dog after flea shampoo?

So, if you’ve just washed your pet and stripped the natural oils, they’ll be less effective. Check the packaging for specific recommendations, but most say you cannot apply within 48 hours of a bath, and you shouldn’t bathe your dog for at least 48 hours after application, either.

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.

Why isn't my flea treatment working?

There may be a number of reasons why your flea treatment isn’t working for your pet. The product could be made of low-quality ingredients or low-powered chemicals, you could be administering the product improperly, or you could be failing to keep your pet’s area clean, which is essential for flea eradication. ...

How long does it take for a flea to grow?

Your Flea infestation did not occur overnight and will not be resolved in a matter of days. In reality, all stages of the flea cycle can take three to eight weeks, or two months, to fully grow and mature. For at least two months, flea treatment must be taken exactly as directed.

What is Nexgard chewable?

Nexgard Chewable for dogs is a one-of-a-kind oral beef-flavored soft chewable that prevents flea infestations by killing adult fleas. It treats and manages infestations of Lone Star ticks, Black-legged ticks, American dog ticks, and Brown dog ticks in dogs and puppies aged 8 weeks and weighing 4 lbs. or more.

How long does it take for Capstar to work on dogs?

Buy Comfortis for Dog. Capstar for dogs is an oral tablet that contains a fast-acting adulticide to combat adult fleas on dogs. Within half an hour of administration , it begins to work and kills all adult fleas within seven hours. Buy Capstar.

What is Credelio for dogs?

Credelio is a delicious beef-flavored flea and tick treatment for dogs that treats and controls fleas and ticks. The monthly oral treatment kills fleas in 12 hours and controls dog tick infestations. Buy Credelio. Consult your veterinarian to determine which methods and products are best for you and your pets.

What is Frontline Plus?

Frontline Plus contains the insecticide fipronil, which kills adult fleas in 12 hours. It also contains methroprene, an insect growth regulator that destroys fleas before they hatch from their shells. Buy Frontline Plus. Comfortis is one of the most popular flea-killing products on the market.

Do flea treatments kill fleas?

Since most flea treatments do not repel fleas, new fleas from the area can and will hop on your pet to eat. Flea treatments kill fleas either directly or indirectly by flea feeding on your pet. You should do some research on the product you’re using to see how quickly it starts killing fleas.

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.

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 flea spray every year, regardless of whether you have noticed fleas. However, if you know that one of your pets has had fleas recently, treating your household as well as all in-contact pets is a vital part of 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 isn't flea treatment working?

The most common reason why a flea treatment appears not to work is because pet owners fail to realize the enormity of the situation. When you see a few fleas either hopping on your pet’s fur or in the carpet, you are already dealing with a full-blown flea infestation. What you cannot see are the flea eggs and larvae buried deep in the fibers of your home furniture and pet’s bed, which make up 95% of the entire flea population.

What is the best treatment for fleas?

Topical medications such as Bravecto topical, Revolution, Frontline Plus, or Advantage Multi are very popular and effective methods to get rid of fleas, eggs, and larvae, but they need to be used properly in order to work.

Can you use flea treatment all year round?

Using flea treatment products irregularly. Since it is possible for pets to get fleas during winter, you need to use flea treatment products all-year-round and not just in summer, at the height of flea season. Flea treatment products such as Bravecto, Revolution, or Frontline Plus will effectively get rid of all the fleas, eggs, ...

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.

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9