| Dog Fleas |
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Control & Prevention of Fleas on Your Dog.
Imagine relying on someone for your every need - your health, safety and
happiness. Now imagine you are constantly itching and scratching. You are ...
Infected with fleas! Millions of cats and dogs each year suffer from this
problem.
If your dog has fleas not only will you have to treat him, but his entire
environment as well, so you'll be attacking the problem on two fronts. Simply
put, fleas must be controlled on your dog, and fleas must be controlled in
your dog's environment. Since dogs and cats share the same fleas, if there is
a cat in the home, then he will need to be treated as well.
Many dog owners try to eradicate the problem by starting with fleas on their
dog, stop there - and in due time realize the flea problem hasn't been solved.
Controlling fleas in your yard & home will keep fleas of you and your dog. If
you don't want to use poisons, vacuum every two days and empty the bag
after 3-4 uses. There are now non-poisonous treatments for your home,
some of which can be applied by the homeowner and others by
professionals. These are generally very effective.
For every flea you see on your dog, there are many more at different stages
of their life cycle (egg, larvae, pupae) in your carpet, furniture, and the
cracks and crevices of your home. Obviously, simply treating your dog for
fleas will not get rid of the problem.
Imagine relying on someone for your every need - your health, safety and
happiness. Now imagine you are constantly itching and scratching. You are ...
Infected with fleas! Millions of cats and dogs each year suffer from this
problem.
If your dog has fleas not only will you have to treat him, but his entire
environment as well, so you'll be attacking the problem on two fronts. Simply
put, fleas must be controlled on your dog, and fleas must be controlled in
your dog's environment. Since dogs and cats share the same fleas, if there is
a cat in the home, then he will need to be treated as well.
Many dog owners try to eradicate the problem by starting with fleas on their
dog, stop there - and in due time realize the flea problem hasn't been solved.
Controlling fleas in your yard & home will keep fleas of you and your dog. If
you don't want to use poisons, vacuum every two days and empty the bag
after 3-4 uses. There are now non-poisonous treatments for your home,
some of which can be applied by the homeowner and others by
professionals. These are generally very effective.
For every flea you see on your dog, there are many more at different stages
of their life cycle (egg, larvae, pupae) in your carpet, furniture, and the
cracks and crevices of your home. Obviously, simply treating your dog for
fleas will not get rid of the problem.
Flea shampoos, sprays, and powders. Most products will kill any fleas present on your dog at the time of application, but many have no
lasting effect - your dog may have more fleas within 24 hours of being treated. When using a flea shampoo, always begin on the dog's
head, face, and ears so the fleas won't run for shelter in those hard to reach areas. Be extra careful not to drip any solution in your
pet's eyes. Applying the solution with a sponge is helpful. All shampoos should be rinsed thoroughly from the coat.
Flea collars. Flea collars are an easy, economical, and useful method of flea control when used before you see fleas, but aren't very
effective if you already a flea problem. Flea collars are on the dog and working 24 hours per day. However, they are not very effective
in climates that are especially conducive to flea reproduction. Many people don't like the smell of insecticidal flea collars or the smell and
oily feeling the insecticide leaves on their hands after petting a dog wearing one. But, they are a lot better than nothing!
Natural methods include essential herbal oils, essential fatty acids, garlic, and/or B vitamins tend to make the animal less tasty to fleas.
You can supplement with garlic or brewers yeast tablets. Some animals are allergic to brewers yeast, so watch closely the first week or
so to make sure the itching doesn't get worse.
Flea Combs. Run the comb through your pet's hair and gather a bit of hair and "flea dirt". Daily flea combing may seem like a tedious
process, but you can trap some of them in the comb. Be sure to drown them in soapy water, because fleas can jump out of plain water.
1. Start with a dry dog and dry comb.
2. Prepare "flea soup" (a small bowl of water with a few drops of liquid dish detergent added to the water-i.e. no suds)
3. Start at the pet's nose and work back toward the tail. Do not remove the collar with ID tags. Work around it.
4. Use short, firm strokes in the same direction as fur growth.
5. Inspect comb after each stroke remove debris (dander, dead hair and fleas) and place in the "flea soup".
6. Keep the tines dry, hold the handle and push the debris underwater.
7. Fleas love white/blond fur and hate the light. You will soon discover that while you are working on the dog's back, the fleas will crawl
around to the belly. Flip your dog over and comb the belly quickly. Yes, the fleas will crawl around to the back again. Flip again and
comb.
8. You now have an ugly mess in the bowl.....flush it.
9. Use the flea comb on a regular basis.
10. Use the flea combing time to check your pet's ears--keep them clean and dry. If the ears
smell bad, get him/her to the vet for treatment and lessons on how to keep the ears clean and dry.
11. Bathe your pet when he/she is dirty and keep bedding clean.
12. Those of you with double-coated dogs can also use a flea comb with good results.
Though inside is where you really want your house to be flealess, outside is where you'll find your first line of defense. Fleas love grass,
which is where most dogs pick them up from in the first place! There are outdoor flea remedies that can be applied to grass by
sprinkling the power or with a hose sprayer for yards and gardens.
Beneficial nematodes are another way to control fleas in the yard. These are flea parasites which Mother Nature provides as a
balancing mechanism. They are tiny little bugs that prey on both adult fleas and larvae. They can be applied with a hose sprayer on a
yard, or with a watering can on a garden. Some garden centers and nurseries carry them or can order them for you, as well as some of
the "natural" pet stores.
lasting effect - your dog may have more fleas within 24 hours of being treated. When using a flea shampoo, always begin on the dog's
head, face, and ears so the fleas won't run for shelter in those hard to reach areas. Be extra careful not to drip any solution in your
pet's eyes. Applying the solution with a sponge is helpful. All shampoos should be rinsed thoroughly from the coat.
Flea collars. Flea collars are an easy, economical, and useful method of flea control when used before you see fleas, but aren't very
effective if you already a flea problem. Flea collars are on the dog and working 24 hours per day. However, they are not very effective
in climates that are especially conducive to flea reproduction. Many people don't like the smell of insecticidal flea collars or the smell and
oily feeling the insecticide leaves on their hands after petting a dog wearing one. But, they are a lot better than nothing!
Natural methods include essential herbal oils, essential fatty acids, garlic, and/or B vitamins tend to make the animal less tasty to fleas.
You can supplement with garlic or brewers yeast tablets. Some animals are allergic to brewers yeast, so watch closely the first week or
so to make sure the itching doesn't get worse.
Flea Combs. Run the comb through your pet's hair and gather a bit of hair and "flea dirt". Daily flea combing may seem like a tedious
process, but you can trap some of them in the comb. Be sure to drown them in soapy water, because fleas can jump out of plain water.
1. Start with a dry dog and dry comb.
2. Prepare "flea soup" (a small bowl of water with a few drops of liquid dish detergent added to the water-i.e. no suds)
3. Start at the pet's nose and work back toward the tail. Do not remove the collar with ID tags. Work around it.
4. Use short, firm strokes in the same direction as fur growth.
5. Inspect comb after each stroke remove debris (dander, dead hair and fleas) and place in the "flea soup".
6. Keep the tines dry, hold the handle and push the debris underwater.
7. Fleas love white/blond fur and hate the light. You will soon discover that while you are working on the dog's back, the fleas will crawl
around to the belly. Flip your dog over and comb the belly quickly. Yes, the fleas will crawl around to the back again. Flip again and
comb.
8. You now have an ugly mess in the bowl.....flush it.
9. Use the flea comb on a regular basis.
10. Use the flea combing time to check your pet's ears--keep them clean and dry. If the ears
smell bad, get him/her to the vet for treatment and lessons on how to keep the ears clean and dry.
11. Bathe your pet when he/she is dirty and keep bedding clean.
12. Those of you with double-coated dogs can also use a flea comb with good results.
Though inside is where you really want your house to be flealess, outside is where you'll find your first line of defense. Fleas love grass,
which is where most dogs pick them up from in the first place! There are outdoor flea remedies that can be applied to grass by
sprinkling the power or with a hose sprayer for yards and gardens.
Beneficial nematodes are another way to control fleas in the yard. These are flea parasites which Mother Nature provides as a
balancing mechanism. They are tiny little bugs that prey on both adult fleas and larvae. They can be applied with a hose sprayer on a
yard, or with a watering can on a garden. Some garden centers and nurseries carry them or can order them for you, as well as some of
the "natural" pet stores.