If you don't know how to deal with fleas, the season when they breed and attack your dog can become a nightmare for you and your furry friend. Some regions have a warm climate all year round, which makes the flea population particularly large. The best measures to treat this problem are preventative ones, but there are also ways to kill parasites after they have already settled on your beloved dog's coat. This article describes some techniques for killing fleas and preventing them from harming your pet.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Medicated Treatments
Step 1. Wash your dog with flea and tick shampoo
Although a normal dog shampoo can kill these parasites, if you need something more aggressive, you could try a product specially formulated against ticks and fleas.
- Read carefully the instructions on the package to understand how to use the shampoo;
- Wet the dog with warm water and scrub his fur with the detergent.
- Let the product work for at least 10 minutes before rinsing the animal;
- Flea shampoos usually contain pyrethrin, a chemical used to kill parasites;
- A flea cleaner kills ticks and fleas already present on the dog.
Step 2. Purchase a spray product
This type of flea is available in both spray bottles and nebulizers.
- For best results, choose a product that kills adults and contains a maggot growth regulator. This way you kill both mature fleas and their eggs.
- Follow your vet's instructions or those on the spray label.
- Spray the product in a well-ventilated area and prevent the liquid from getting into the dog's eyes.
- Wear gloves when applying the product to protect your skin.
- When you treat sensitive areas of the dog's body, such as the muzzle, spray the insecticide on the glove and then rub the pet's fur instead of hitting its eyes, mouth or ears with the spray.
Step 3. Try flea powders
These products can also be purchased without a veterinarian's prescription and work just like sprays.
- Always carefully read the instructions on the package to understand how to use these powders. If you are unsure of any steps, ask your vet for advice before applying them.
- Powder products are usually used by sprinkling the dog's coat with a thin layer of insecticide and leaving it on. However, powders that tend to make the coat grainy need to be applied very often.
- Start at the animal's head by moving onto the back and towards the tail. This way you are sure to cover all of the dog's skin.
- Don't neglect the kennel too.
- Repeat these steps once a week, as needed.
Step 4. Prepare a medicated bath
Washes should be applied to the dog's fur after the infestation has occurred.
- Dilute the product as explained in the leaflet or ask your veterinarian for further instructions.
- A wash - or flea bath - involves soaking the dog in a diluted medicated solution. Other types of anti-fleas, on the other hand, should simply be poured on the animal's fur until it is well soaked. Both should be applied all over the body of your four-legged friend, do not use them as a localized topical treatment.
- Use these products in a well-ventilated room.
- Most flea baths do not require any rinsing.
- These products contain active ingredients such as pyrethrin, permethrin and organophosphates.
Step 5. Put a flea collar on your dog
There is a wide variety of models, the effectiveness of which is equally diverse. Many have a rather limited range and only kill fleas that are near the collar (neck and shoulders of the dog). However, high quality collars are capable of killing or repelling fleas from the entire body of the animal if used appropriately. Remember to choose the right model based on the age and weight of the dog.
- Insert two fingers under the collar to see if it fits snugly around the pet's neck or if it is too tight.
- Trim any excess segments from the collar once you've secured it to the dog. Don't allow your furry friend to chew on the end of the collar.
- Read the instructions on the package carefully to understand how long the collar lasts and what you should avoid doing. Some models are less effective if they get wet, for example.
- Monitor the dog's skin under the collar and remove it if you notice any signs of redness or irritation.
Method 2 of 3: Preventive Remedies
Step 1. Apply a monthly topical treatment
This is one of the most common and effective preventative solutions.
- In most cases, you will need a veterinary prescription to purchase these "localized" treatments.
- Apply a few drops or a pre-dosed vial of product as directed by the instructions or by your veterinarian. Some medications need to be dropped between the dog's shoulder blades, but others allow for application in several places. Make sure that the product comes into contact with the dog's skin and not with the coat.
- These are medicines that kill adult fleas that invade or bite the dog. They are usually effective for a month.
- Some products also kill eggs, but not many.
- These drugs are applied monthly, throughout the year. If you live in a region where winters are particularly cold and temperatures drop below freezing, then you may want to reduce the frequency with which you use flea protection, as the pests are not active.
Step 2. Feed your dog flea tablets
Ask your vet for more information and find out if, in your specific case, they may be an appropriate preventative measure.
- Give the tablet to the dog once a month, mixed with food.
- Your vet will prescribe the correct dosage based on your dog's weight.
- When a female flea bites the treated dog, she swallows a chemical called lufenuron. In turn, the female transmits the product to the eggs that cannot hatch (otherwise the lufenuron kills the adult individual, so the results need time to be visible).
- As with any treatment, it pays to pay attention to how the dog reacts. Check where you apply the treatment to make sure there is no reaction and do not use it again if the dog's skin is swollen or red.
Method 3 of 3: Natural Treatments
Step 1. Wash the dog
Often, washing your dog with warm water and a mild dish soap (or canine shampoo) is enough to kill most (if not all) parasites.
- This treatment shows best results with mild to moderate infestations, but is not powerful enough to kill large numbers of fleas.
- Use only a mild dish soap that has no added dyes and fragrances, suitable for sensitive skin. If the dog shows an adverse skin reaction, stop the treatment. Follow up with the wash with a dog conditioner to counteract the drying effects on the skin.
- Wash and rinse your faithful friend once a week. Frequent washing (especially with dish soap) can dry out your dog's skin and damage it.
- The soap traps fleas and physically removes them from the dog's body. It also destroys the cell membrane of insects and removes the protective sebum from their body. As a result, fleas are unable to maintain hydration and die.
Step 2. Comb the animal with a specific flea comb
On the market you can find tools designed specifically for this use, but you can use any comb with very fine teeth.
- Flea combs physically lift parasites from the dog's fur.
- Comb the animal from the head down. Make sure the comb reaches the skin. If you stick to just the hair, some fleas will not be removed.
- You should immediately soak the comb in a bucket or dish of hot soapy water once a flea is removed, as the soap kills them.
Step 3. Repel parasites with lemon juice
Apply diluted lemon juice to your pet's fur to kill fleas. Be very careful, though, to avoid overdrying your skin with lemon.
- Make an equal parts solution of hot water and lemon juice and pour it into a shallow bowl.
- Alternatively, you can cut a lemon into quarters and steep it in boiling water. Wait for the mixture to cool for eight hours or overnight before straining it into a bowl.
- Dip your dog's brush or comb into the solution and use it to comb his coat. Make sure to coat all the fur with lemon juice. Dip the brush into the bowl often, about each stroke.
- Repeat this procedure once a day for three days.
Step 4. Treat the dog with apple cider vinegar
This is a topical remedy.
- Mix equal parts vinegar and water and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Wet the fur with this repellent by focusing on the areas where fleas like to live, such as behind the ears, the base of the tail and behind the legs.
- If you notice that your dog's skin becomes unusually dry or you suspect that he may be having an adverse reaction to the vinegar, stop the treatment immediately.
Step 5. Try brewer's yeast
It is a natural product to prevent infestations and a valid alternative to harsh chemicals. There is controversial evidence on its effectiveness, but it appears to be active in multiple ways on controlling the flea population.
- Add one brewer's yeast tablet to your dog's food every other day or every third. Ask your veterinarian what dosage is most suitable based on the age and weight of the animal. Do not determine the amount of yeast to give without your doctor's help and approval.
- The brewer's yeast will eventually ooze from the dog's skin through the pores making the pet's coat an inhospitable place for fleas. For this reason, yeast is a natural repellent.
Step 6. Prepare a rosemary bath
This solution has not been proven by science, but there is some anecdotal evidence for its effectiveness as a repellent. Bathe your dog with an infusion of rosemary and let the coat dry naturally.
- Infuse 200 g of fresh rosemary sprigs with boiling water for half an hour. Use as much water as you need to completely submerge the herb.
- Filter the liquid and discard the leaves;
- Dilute the infusion with 4 liters of warm water. If the dog is small, use less water;
- Wait for the bathroom to cool slightly. It must be hot, but it must not burn the skin of the animal;
- Pour the water over the dog, soaking it completely. Wait for it to air dry.
Step 7. Apply lavender essential oil
Again, science has no firm evidence, but there are dog owners ready to swear that this repellent will work. You just have to apply a few drops of the oil to some key points on the dog's body to enjoy the benefits.
- Wash your dog as usual with soap and water. Dry it with a cloth.
- Apply a few drops of lavender essential oil to the base of the tail and the same number to the nape of the neck. With your fingers, gently massage the oil to make it penetrate into the fur and skin.
Warnings
- Do not allow a cat to come into contact with flea medicines for dogs. Many of the active ingredients in these treatments are toxic to cats and could cause their death.
- Be very careful when you decide to solve the flea problem with multiple approaches; it is best to consult your veterinarian before implementing various treatments.
- Many flea products are potent and could prove dangerous to humans who are constantly exposed to them. Use gloves whenever possible, and always wash your hands after applying medication.
- Pregnant or nursing women and children should avoid contact with most flea products. Read the labels for warnings.
