Dogs and Fleas: How to Treat Your Dog's Fleas

dog_scratching Unfortunately, all dogs will get fleas at some point. Some cats as well, but this is usually an unavoidable issue that can create a real problem if you do not catch it in time. Fleas can spread all over the home and even get on your clothes and your own skin. You need to learn how to treat your dog's fleas to prevent any problems in the future.

Signs Of Your Dog Having Fleas:

The dog will generally have a few symptoms that will alert you to begin treating it. For example, they will scratch and bite their fur and become very irritated rather easily. Search through the fur coat and help your dog get rid of the fleas that are in hard to reach areas that can be very upsetting to the animal.

Step #1 Start With A Flea Bath:

The great thing about fleas is that you can usually get rid of them rather easily. They can be washed down the drain in minutes giving your dog relief that he so badly craves. Using a flea shampoo will get the job done in most cases and you can even create your own mixture if you do not have one at your fingertips. Using apple cider and regular old dish washing detergent you can get a lathering flea bath for your canine going in no time.

Step #2 Use A Combing Technique:

Once you have completed the flea bathing practice, you must use a comb on your dog to get the job done. Make sure you use a wide tooth comb for dogs that have thick fur coats to not hurt them when combing. Do this at least once per day until you begin noticing a difference in your dog. Less scratching and more normal behavior that you are accustomed to seeing your dog behave like will show you the fleas are going away.

Step #3 Get A Flea Collar:

A flea collar is a great idea, but it has to be a part of the entire process. You cannot just give your dog a flea collar and expect them to be flea free, as they will need to have the bath and the combing done as well. The collar cannot get wet and the animal cannot chew on it either as that can be very dangerous. They are not safe for puppies either.

Step #4 Utilize Flea Powders:

These can be in the form of powders or sprays and can be sprayed directly on the dog. The spray forms are good for a short term treatment, while the powders can be much more effective long term. Some people do not like the powders as you need to rub them in quite a bit to get the best effectiveness.

Step #5 Clean The Entire Area:

Wherever your dog has been, odds are there will be traces of fleas about. You must treat the areas with a cleanser or flea treatment of some form. Using a vacuum and fabric cleaners to make the spaces flea free are necessary to prevent infection and clean the rooms.