The flea called Ctenocephalides felis or "feline flea" is the most common one that can be found on our pets. Pulex irritans or "human flea" and Ctenocephalides canis or "dog flea" can also infest animals, but are much less common. Fleas normally have a life span of only six weeks, but some fleas can live up to a year. Since only 1% of fleas reach the adult stage, and many treatments only kill adult fleas, it can be difficult to get rid of them once they have already infested the house and dog; preventive measures, therefore, are much more effective as long-term solutions.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Preventing Flea Infestation on Your Dog
Step 1. Apply topical flea treatment to your dog
Topical flea treatments such as Advantage, Frontline Plus and Revolution can be applied regularly every year to prevent fleas from finding fertile ground on your dog. This topical treatment usually comes in the form of a thick cream or liquid that is applied to a specific spot between the dog's shoulder blades.
- Consult your veterinarian to find out which method is best to use on your dog and what dosage to apply. The content in flea treatment packages usually varies in quantity, depending on the size of the animal.
- The reason why the treatment should be applied to a specific point on the dog's back is because it will not be able to reach it once applied. The product takes some time to take effect, and it is best for the dog not to remove it too soon.
- Some topical treatments include an ingredient called "permethrin". While this product is safe when used on dogs, it is toxic on cats. Never use this substance on your feline friends.
- Alternatively, you can use a few drops of lavender essential oil on your dog to prevent and repel fleas.
Step 2. Put your dog on a flea collar
Flea collars are another method of preventing flea infestation on your dog; however, they must be applied correctly for them to work. Once the dog is put on, you must leave enough space to pass two fingers between the collar and the animal's neck; the collar should not be narrower or wider than this. Most pesticide collars are longer than necessary, so you will need to trim off the excess part of the collar once you put it on.
- If you don't know which flea collar to use, ask your vet for advice.
- Make sure you read the collar instructions carefully. Some collars lose their effectiveness if they are wet. This means that it will be better to remove or replace the collar if the dog decides to go for a swim.
- If the collar causes irritation on the dog's neck, take it off. You will probably have to try another model.
- Never use pesticide collars on cats that contain these ingredients: Amitraz, permethrin, organophosphates.
Step 3. Make a pesticide collar yourself
In addition to the collars that you can find in the store, you can create one with your own hands using natural ingredients. You will need: a bandana or regular dog collar; 1 to 3 tablespoons of water; 3 to 5 drops of cedar or lavender essential oil. Mix water and essential oil together to dilute the oil. Use a dropper (or something similar) and apply 5-10 drops of this liquid to your dog's collar or bandana. Scrub the fabric to get everything absorbed well. Put the bandana or collar on the dog.
- For this method to be effective you will need to apply the mixture once a week.
- You can also mix 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil and 1 or 2 drops of liquid near the base of your dog's tail. This way you will get complete protection!
Step 4. Give your dog preventative oral flea treatment
There are several products on the market for preventive oral treatment against fleas for dogs and cats. One of these treatments is called Program. For dogs you can find the product in pill form, to be given to the dog once a month. The pill contains an insect development inhibitor that does not allow fleas to reproduce on your dog, but this treatment does not kill adult fleas that are already on your dog. There are also other products such as Capstar, Comfortis and Trifexis.
- Capstar remains in the dog's body for only 24 hours, so it is indicated in cases where a quick solution is required.
- Trifexis is useful for the prevention of heartworm and may help in the treatment of hookworm, roundworm or whipworm infections.
Step 5. Add apple cider vinegar to your dog's water
You can add a tablespoon (15 ml) of apple cider vinegar (or distilled white vinegar) to the dog's water bowl. You should use one tablespoon for every 15 kg of the dog's weight. For example, if your dog weighs 36 kg, then add 2 tablespoons (30 ml). If your dog weighs 9kg, add only half a tablespoon (7.5ml) of vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar is also indicated for the well-being of your dog's coat and skin
Step 6. Consider adding supplements to your dog's diet
There are various supplements that can be integrated into the dog's diet and that help prevent and ward off fleas. Not all supplements work on all dogs, so if you've tried a supplement and haven't noticed any improvements, it probably won't work.
- Garlic. Give your dog some garlic, both raw (crushed) and in capsule form to help prevent fleas. Large dogs can eat a clove, medium-sized dogs can eat half a clove, and small dogs can eat a quarter of a clove. The dosage of a garlic oil capsule can be estimated based on the human intake which is one capsule per 68 kg.
- Vitamin B Complex. A plant vitamin B complex can be given to your dog on a regular basis. The amount will have to be adjusted according to the size of the dog and the average dose for a human being. You can also consider giving your dog some brewer's yeast, which contains vitamin B1.
- Be careful though: some dogs may be allergic to brewer's yeast. Consult your veterinarian before giving your dog this substance.
Step 7. Create your preventive flea comb
To build this preventative flea comb all you need is a fresh sliced lemon, a bowl of fresh water, a comb and a brush or sponge. Put the lemon slices and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil, then remove the saucepan from the heat and cover it with a lid. Let the mixture rest overnight by leaving the lemons in the water. The next day, dip the brush, comb or sponge into the water and apply the liquid to your dog's coat.
You will use a comb, brush or sponge depending on the type and length of the dog's coat. You choose the method that seems to work best for you
Step 8. Make your own homemade flea spray
The great thing about this spray is that not only is it flea repellent, but it is a true beauty treatment for your dog's coat! You will need 250 ml of distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, about 1 liter of fresh water, 2-3 drops of cedar or lavender essential oil, and an empty spray bottle. Pour the liquids into the bottle (vinegar, essential oil, and water). Shake the bottle to mix everything and spray the liquid on the dog.
- It doesn't matter what type of vinegar you use for this purpose. You can use both white and apple vinegar, although the latter smells more pleasant. You can also use a mix of the two types of vinegar if you don't have enough of just one type; the important thing is that in total there are 250 ml of vinegar.
- Essential oil is not needed for this spray, but it helps provide it with a better scent.
- Be careful not to direct the spray into the dog's eyes, nose or ears. It would be better to avoid spraying the liquid on the dog's face; you can use a cloth to apply the mixture on this part of his body.
- You can also spray this spray on pillows where your dog sleeps, to prevent them from being infested with fleas.
Step 9. Create a "flea-repellent" bag
To make this bag, you will need: 2 6-inch square cutouts of breathable fabric, a handful of cedar wood cutouts, 1 or 2 tablespoons (5 or 10 ml) of dried lavender sprouts and the peel of 1 lemon. Sew the two fabric scraps together on 3 sides to form a bag, then fill it with cedar wood, lavender and lemon peel. Tie the top of the bag with a ribbon or string. Put the bag near the dog's kennel or in other places frequented by the animal. Replace the contents of the bag every month or two.
If you want to try this method but you don't know how to sew, you can buy pre-made bags of breathable fabric
Method 2 of 3: Get Rid of Fleas on Your Dog
Step 1. Make sure your dog is healthy
As with any medical problem, it is always best to be sure of the dog's health and strength. This means that you need to make sure that the dog is eating the correct amount of food, that he is getting the right exercise, that he is not stressed and that he is receiving a lot of love.
It seems that fleas know how to distinguish healthy dogs from sick ones, and prefer to infest the latter (they taste better). Keeping your dog healthy means you have a better chance that he won't catch fleas or be able to fight them
Step 2. Use olive oil and an essential oil spray on the dog
A blend of 10 drops of specific essential oils and 15ml of olive oil can be used as a flea spray. As with other treatments, the latter may not work on all dogs. If you do not see any improvement after 3-4 weeks of treatment, the method does not work and you can stop the treatment.
- You can use any of these essential oils: cedar, tea tree, lemongrass, lavender, eucalyptus, spearmint.
- Beware, both eucalyptus and spearmint are toxic to cats, which have a lower ability to withstand essential oils. If you have cats at home, find a remedy that doesn't involve essential oils.
Step 3. Bathe your dog at least once a week
If your dog has flea infestation and you are trying to get rid of them, bathe him at least once a week. To wash your dog, use a non-insecticidal shampoo or soap or a non-scented hypoallergenic shampoo. Shampoos and soaps with fewer additives do not dry out the skin with frequent baths. Make sure you rinse off any shampoo or soap residue.
If you don't know which shampoo or soap to use, contact your vet for a suggestion. You may also find suitable products for sale directly at the veterinary clinic
Step 4. Comb your dog daily with a flea comb
Use a flea comb as often as possible to check how effective your flea removal efforts have been. Focus and comb around the tail, belly and muzzle. Don't just look for adult fleas, but check for eggs (which are small white dots) and feces (small black dots).
- If you find anything on the dog, you can comb it off and drop it in a glass of water. The water will kill the fleas and eggs.
- Note. Flea feces are made up mostly of your dog's blood. When you immerse them in water, it may turn a dark brown or red color - don't be frightened. This is an effective way to prove that what you have found is indeed flea feces.
Step 5. Don't let the dog wander around the house
If your dog is infested with fleas you will need to limit the areas where he is allowed to go. Flea eggs can easily get stuck in fabrics and carpets and remain dormant until they find the perfect environment in which to proliferate (i.e. your dog). If possible, keep the dog in areas of the house where there are not too many fibers and fabrics (such as the kitchen, bathroom, laundry, garage, etc.) until you have solved the flea problem.
Method 3 of 3: Maintain a Flea-Hostile Indoor and Outdoor Environment
Step 1. Keep your lawn clean
Fleas and their eggs can easily hide in grass and areas of the garden where debris and dry leaves accumulate. To prevent fleas from settling in these areas, keep your yard clean and mow your lawn regularly. It is especially important to keep the areas your dog most frequented clean.
Step 2. Spray a mixture of water and diatomaceous earth in the yard
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a calcium powder resulting from the ground of single-celled oceanic organisms. Use only food grade diatomaceous earth. You can mix some in water (or in a plant sprayer, if you have one) and wet the grass, sidewalks, porches, flagstones, and even flower beds. Focus on your dog's favorite areas.
- This mixture will dry out the flea eggs and make it impossible for adult fleas to breathe, killing them.
- If you live in a very humid climate, you will need to repeat this operation every 2 months.
- If you live in a dry climate area, you won't have to repeat the operation too often: once every 3-4 months should be enough.
- Wear a protective mask when handling diatomaceous earth powder as it may irritate your lungs.
- You can find diatomaceous earth in an online shop or in gardening or DIY stores. Pest control companies may also have it for sale, as it is widely used to kill other parasites as well.
Step 3. Drown the fleas and their eggs
Use a garden hose to drown fleas and eggs in your yard in areas your dog frequent (playhouse, cage, his favorite nap spot, etc.). Wet these areas with water until they are flooded.
Step 4. Frequently wash and vacuum your floors
To kill fleas and eggs that are in the house, you will always have to keep them clean. Wash hard surfaces (wood, marble and tile floors) as often as possible. Pay close attention to cracks and gaps in the floors, where fleas may be hiding. You should also vacuum the rugs and carpets every day to remove any fleas or eggs that may have fallen from your dog.
- To keep fleas under control and to avoid overworking, you could simply remove and store away the rugs and rugs during flea season. Clean them well before storing them and also when you take them out.
- During the daily vacuuming of carpets and rugs, also vacuum the furniture (sofas, bags, cushions, etc.).
- If you use a bagged vacuum, you can freeze the bag between uses to kill any fleas you've vacuumed. Fleas could proliferate in the bag between uses if you simply put the vacuum cleaner away after use.
Step 5. Clean your dog's bed thoroughly at least once a week
If it is small enough, wash the dog cushion in the washing machine with warm water and mild soap. If the pillow is too big for the washing machine, you can submerge it in the tub with water and vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. In the worst case, if the pillow is really too big to wash, vacuum it very carefully.
Step 6. Use a professional steam cleaner
If the flea infestation is really serious or if it is over but you want to make sure that you have killed all the fleas, you can consider hiring a cleaning company for home steam cleaning. Ask them to use only hot water to steam floors, furniture, and the dog's bed. Move the furniture around so that they can clean even the hidden surfaces.
