Fleas are blood-sucking insects that feed on warm-blooded animals. Pet owners must be aware of fleas, so if theyinvade your home, you can start taking action to get rid of them.
Your pet must be the carrier for fleas. Fleas on your dog will not let it move around freely. It will be irritated all the time and may develop skin allergies or infections. Many methods include home remedies and chemical mixtures to kill the fleas, but you should consult your veterinarian before using anything.
Signs and Symptoms Your Dog has Fleas
A single flea can lay more than four thousand eggs. These eggs mature in about 2 to 4 weeks. This means that a flea infestation can originate from one female dog flea. Here are a few signs and symptoms of a dog with fleas:
Itching: this can range from mild itching to severe and constant itching that can cause inflammations and lesions to the body.
Skin infection: Due to incessantly itching scabs and other skin diseases like dermatitis, follow suit that can cause bleeding, puss, and pain to your well-loved pooch.
Anemia: fleas feed on blood, and too many fleas feeding at the same time can cause anemia, which will produce weight loss, lethargy, and even death.
Ticks jumping all over the place: for severe infestations, dog fleas are actually visible. When this happens, have your puppy checked by a veterinarian as soon as possible
Hair loss: due to the constant scratching, inflammation, lesions, and stress on your dog, hair loss, or shedding will occur more than usual.
The Life Cycle of a Flea
It is crucial to get rid of the fleas permanently. You will have to spend a great deal of time combating the eggs, but it will be worth it. Fleas are notorious for their resilience. You have to break the life cycle of fleas from the production of eggs to prevent re-infestation. A female flea is capable of producing more than 2000 eggs in her life. It takes three weeks to complete the life cycle. Warm temperature supports the process. Your dog’s fur is the best place where the eggs can be laid. Thus, regular cleaning of your dog is necessary.
Dog lovers the world over know the telltale signs. The constant scratching, nibbling, and rolling on the floor of a man’s best friend are sure signs that your dog has fleas. This article will provide necessary information on how dogs get fleas and, more importantly, how to prevent and remove fleas from your dog safely and effectively.
Dog Fleas Prevention
By taking proper care of your dog, you can prevent dog fleas from becoming a problem. Make sure to bathe your dog, occasionally with flea shampoo regularly, and then periodically comb your dog’s hair to keep it clean and dry. For best results, finish your grooming regimen with a flea brush, dipped in lukewarm soapy water after every stroke, and then finish with flea preventing dog powder.
It would also be best to feed your dog a proper diet, regularly clean feeding bowls, and a known sleeping/napping area. Cleaning of the surrounding area can be done by using the same shampoo and powder diluted in water and applied via a mop or spray. You can also use flea preventing drops and topical spray as an additional measure, especially if other dogs in the neighborhood have fleas.
Home Remedies for Dog Fleas
Products available in the flea exterminating market might be costly, but fortunately, you can try different home methods. They are equally effective and amazingly cheap.
First, look out for the areas invaded by fleas. If your pet is allowed to roam inside the house, you will also have to inspect the sofas and couches in your living area.
Take all the bedding of your dog and machine wash it in hot water.
Vacuum your furniture, carpets, and curtains in detail. Empty the vacuum bag far from your house so that the chances of fleas coming back can be reduced. You have put in some extra effort and clean each area at least twice. 50% of the flea eggs can be removed by vacuuming thoroughly.
Take any quality flea spray from the market and use it in the backyard, lawns, garage, your home from inside, and the kennel.
You can spray the lemon solution on the dog and its habitat. You will feel that the dog is fresh, but fleas will hate its smell. Pour two or three drops of lemon essential oil on the dog’s collar to avoid fleas.
Use a flea comb to get them out of the fur of your dog. The teeth of the comb are narrow enough to catch the tiny creature. Keep a glass bowl of soapy water near you, and keep on cleaning the comb. Otherwise, the fleas can jump out, and you will be the victim.
Take the best flea shampoo on the market and soak your dog with it for at least five minutes. Rinse and cleanse it properly, do not miss out on any part of the body. Pour a solution of apple cider vinegar over your dog. Pat it dry. The smell of vinegar will keep the fleas at a distance.
We recommend Adams plus and it happens to be Amazon’s best flea and tick shampoo as well.
You can also add lavender oil to the dog’s regular shampoo. It will also act as a repellent to the fleas.
Flea powder can also be used after giving a bath to your dog. A flea collar will also be a useful weapon to use in a flea battle.
Take a hot shower bath or after you are finished. Wash all your clothes in hot water and dry them at a high temperature.
OTC Dog Flea Treatment
If your dog already has fleas, then you might want to consider the immediate use of Advantage: for immediate relief (3 to five minutes after spraying)
Regular inspection of fleas on the dog will help prevent their multiplication. Your poor dog can be anemic if you do not take the necessary steps to kill the fleas.
Summary
Fleas are insects that feed on the blood of other living organisms to survive. Dog fleas specifically target dogs and cats but are also known to bite humans. Dog fleas are hardy creatures and are known to survive for months without a meal. However, female fleas require an infusion of blood before they can lay their eggs.
You must follow the instructions mentioned on the package carefully. The latest anti-flea products are safe and effective for both humans and your pets.
Remember preventing and getting rid of dog fleas requires not only the treatment of your dog but of the entire surrounding area. It is advisable to regularly use flea shampoos and powders on your dog and the surrounding areas and then augment this regular regiment with topical sprays or drops and regular veterinarian checkups. These can be very expensive and time-consuming, but you need to realize that this is nothing compared to the unconditional love and affection your dog gives you, one lick at a time.