The Beginner’s Guide To Fleaing Your Dog

Fleas are wingless insects that can cause significant harm to your beloved dog. It is tough to find fleas on your pets because they are small in size, but this tiny creature can cause anemia, scratching, and parasitic infestation in your dog, and great distress in your life.

However, if your pet does contract a flea infestation, it is tough to get rid of them because a single flea can lay thousands of eggs in its life cycle.

If you want to control fleas, it must require an appropriate approach, and you should see your vet from time to time for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Here in this guide, you will get complete information about fleas, the risk associated with them, and how to control them in dogs.

When are dogs at risk of fleas?

Mostly, the summer and spring seasons are the peak season for flea infestation. This is because fleas grow well in hot, humid climates. The ideal temperature is around 21⁰C for flea growth and survival. However, that doesn’t mean your puppy or dog can’t get fleas at other times of the year.

Dogs are at continuous risk of flea infestation even in winter because the flea egg can withstand extreme temperatures and lie dormant for a long time until it finds a suitable host. Thanks to double glazing and central heating our homes are like a greenhouse in the winter- meaning any eggs that make it into the house will hatch and thrive in the cosy warm conditions.

A recent survey of flea infestation involving UK veterinary practices indicates a 6.82% prevalence of fleas in dogs.

Can fleas kill my dog?

Fleas can cause serious harm to your pets, some dogs are very sensitive to flea saliva, and a single flea bite can cause severe itching. This problem can be treated if it is managed in the early stages, and if left untreated, it can turn into an infestation. When fleas feed on your dog’s blood and transfer parasites, and you leave them untreated, it can become fatal.

Should I speak to my vet about my dog’s flea treatment?

Many pet owners are very concerned about flea treatments on their pets and often ask questions like how much flea medicine for dogs is appropriate?

Typically, if there are no signs of fleas but your pup is still uncomfortable, see your vet. He will do a skin test and check for fleas and other allergies. Before beginning a course of flea treatment always consult your vet in the first instance, especially if your dog is still a puppy.

Many preventative flea medications are available in the market, like spot-on treatments, spray, powder, shampoo, tablets, and topical liquid. Your vet is best placed to advise you on which treatment is right for your pet.

What is the best flea treatment for my dog?

When it comes to stopping fleas on your pets, preventative treatments are the best way to protect your pets, as they ensure that your pup doesn’t develop any serious problems. Your vet is the best person who can guide you on the proper treatments; however, one of the best flea preventative medications available on the market is Flerm flea treatment.

Using Flerm regularly will protect your pet from fleas, worms, and ticks. The feature that makes Flerm most promising among other flea treatments is that other flea treatments only kill fleas, whereas Flerm can break their life cycle and destroy eggs and larvae. By breaking the life cycle of fleas, your dog, home and family remain protected.

When should you flea a dog?

It can takes weeks, if not months, to get rid of a flea infestation. Therefore the best way to deal with your dog’s flea treatments is not to wait for your dog to have fleas and be itchy and uncomfortable, but to take a regular preventative approach to flea treatment. This is why most vets recommend treating your pet for fleas regularly and all year round.

How often do you flea a dog?

This is the most common question dog owners ask: how often should dogs have flea treatment? The most common belief is that fleas are seasonal, but this is not true. Fleas are present throughout the year.

That is why it is essential to treat your dog for fleas regularly. Generally, monthly flea treatment is considered best for flea prevention.

How often do you flea a puppy?

Your vet is the best person to advise you when to flea treat puppies. But mainly, the first flea treatment is carried out on puppies from six to eight weeks. However, the exact dosage and treatment depend on the weight and treatment methods used for the puppies. According to William Miller Jr, “fleas are a special danger to your puppy.”

How do I know my dog’s flea treatment is working?

If your dog is severely itchy and remains in discomfort due to fleas, you should treat them immediately. Once treated your dog should become more comfortable and visibly less itchy within a matter of hours. However, please note, when flea medicine is used, fleas become hyperactive before dying. Therefore, you will see fleas come to the surface of your pet’s fur, and your pet may feel a little itchier before the flea dies.

Flea medicine does not kill fleas immediately. For the flea product to work, the flea has to come in contact with the medicinal ingredient, absorb it, and then the medicine will work. The working procedure of treatment is a bit similar to that of you catching a cold. Some time will pass between infection and suffering illness.

Flea spot-on treatments for dogs

Topical spot-on treatment is one of the easiest flea treatments. You just have to apply them on your pet’s body, and your pet will remain protected for a long time.

How long do flea spot-on treatments take to work?

The spot-on treatment works differently from pills. The active ingredient works by spreading throughout the body, including hair and skin, and when a flea comes in contact with the active ingredient, it dies. This means that your pet does not need to be bitten by fleas. Spot-on treatments also reduce the risk of other infections that occur as a result of flea bites.

The spot-on treatment also kills pupae in the house because they will get killed when they try to reach your pet’s body. A spot-on treatment usually takes 24 hours to work fully.

What if my dog licks their flea treatment?

Flea spot-on products, when applied to the body of dogs, contain an active ingredient that protects your pet’s skin and remains on the coat for a long time. If your puppy can lick the product suddenly after application while still wet or scratches his body, then he can lick it off. To avoid this happening you should always apply the liquid from the pipette to the back of your dog or puppies neck where they cannot lick and find it difficult to scratch.

The first reaction your dog will show is that he will immediately start salivating and foaming from the mouth due to the bitter taste of the medicine. Sometimes your dog may also feel nauseous and start vomiting, although this is rare.

Some dogs become hyperactive and run around the house. All this happens due to the bitter taste and systemic toxicity of the product. The best thing to do in such conditions is to feed your pup a tasty treat and encourage him to drink more water and clean his mouth with luke warm water.

For some sensitive dogs, a chicken-flavored or meat-flavored treat will help eliminate the bad taste from their mouth. Symptoms of toxicity are mild and self-limited. You can prevent this reaction by not allowing your dog to lick the product until it is completely dry. Because once the product dries, it won’t show the same reaction.

When can I bathe my puppy/dog after applying a spot on flea treatment?

You can bathe your puppies after 48 hours of flea treatment.

Flea tablets for dogs

Flea tablets for dogs are one of the available options for treating fleas. The only problem with the flea pill is that it is difficult to give your dog medication. You should gently press their lips against their teeth and encourage them to open their mouth.

After that, slide a finger into their mouth, and then press the roof of their mouth to open their mouth wide. Then by the other hand, push the pill to the back of the tongue and then close the mouth until it swallows.

How do flea tablets work?

The mechanism of the flea tablet is very simple; it works by entering into your dog’s bloodstream. So it means that fleas have to bite your dog in order to be exposed to the active ingredient. If a dog suffers from flea dermatitis then this type of flea treatment won’t help in preventing fleas from biting your dog’s skin.

How long do dog flea tablets last?

Flea tablets usually last at least a month, and in some cases, eight to twelve weeks. In case of a missed dose, there will be a treatment failure and your pet won’t be protected from fleas.

Flea collars for dogs

There are different types of flea collars available on the market, and they all vary in terms of the protection they provide.

How long does it take for a dog flea collar to work?

The flea collar works by two methods, either by emitting a pesticide in the area around the neck or by releasing an active ingredient that is absorbed into your pet’s skin. Some collars are beneficial and protect the entire body, while others protect only the neck area.

It takes 24 hours for the active ingredient in the flea collar to cover your dog’s skin and coat and begin to show its action. A single flea collars can provide protection for almost eight months, but this can vary depending on weather conditions and whether the collar gets wet repeatedly.

How often to use flea shampoo?

If your pet is infected with fleas, give him a bath with flea shampoo right away. Most veterinarians recommend using flea shampoo every 7-14 days. Don’t bathe your dog with flea shampoo daily, as it will dry out their fur and skin and, instead of protecting your dog, they will end up having skin problems.

Do I need to flea my dog all-year-round?

Yes, it is essential to flea your dog throughout the year. You will often listen pet owners say that they do not use flea treatment in the cooler weather because it is not necessary. Please don’t listen to those people; it is not true and will put your pet at risk of flea infestation.

According to Dr. Lindsay Starkey, fleas are not a seasonal problem; they are present throughout the year. Mostly, the vet recommends fleaing your dog year-round because it only gets one flea to enter in your home or on your pet and there will be flea infestation.

These pests can live outside your home in cooler temperatures for more than five days until they find a warm spot inside your home. Flea eggs can even live for years in sheltered places like porches and garages.

Should I flea my dog before I go on holiday?

It has been reported many times that a family goes on vacation and closes the house, and sends their dog to boarding. When they return after a few weeks, their house is full of fleas as if an army of fleas has attacked their home. But what is the real reason behind this?

Well, the real reason is that you think there were no fleas in your house before you left, but it’s not the case that there were fleas, but you didn’t notice them. Fleas are tiny and hard to see, but they are present on carpets, pet bedding, and under sofas.

According to Patrick Mahaney, “once fleas get on your dog, they will jump, crawl. They will hide in the areas that are hard to reach like neck, head, tail, and armpits.”

Fleas that live on your pets continually lay eggs that fall to the ground. So whenever you plan to go on vacation, it is necessary that you flea treat your pet and house. Otherwise, you will find it challenging to fight fleas.

Are flea treatments safe for pregnant dogs?

There is a bit of confusion about flea treatment for your pregnant dog. Most vets suggest stopping flea treatment until your dog gives birth to the puppies. Similarly, it is also essential to consult your veterinarian whether to use flea treatment on a pregnant mother or not. There are different flea preventive products that claim that they are safe for pregnant animals but don’t use them without consulting your vet.