Say goodbye to fleas on dogs with the best flea treatment tips

If we would ask dog owners what is the most nerve-wracking issue both for them and their pooches, almost all would say there are fleas. Fleas on dogs usually occur during summer months, however, in case you live in a warm climate, they can become a year-round problem.

Those small jumping insects search for dark and warm places on a dog’s body where they can hide. Since dogs have a higher body temperature and humidity level from humans, their furry bodies seem like perfect places for fleas to bite.

How to know if your dog has fleas?

1. Obsessive scratching and itching
2. Biting and chewing skin
3. Flea dirt when fur is parted
4. Hair loss
5. Red and irritated skin
6. Pustules and skin infections

One of the main signs that will point out if your dog has fleas is excessive itching. A dog with fleas will scratch his skin so badly and cause secondary issues such as hair loss, bleeding, hot and swollen spots. Unfortunately, if these newly created problems aren’t treated on time, your four-legged friend may develop a bacterial infection. Getting an allergy is another potential threat. Some dogs can show even severe allergic reactions to fleas’ bites.

Unlike Demodex mites, dog fleas can be easily spotted on a dog’s belly that is usually warmer from other parts of his body.

What do fleas look like on dogs?

Fleas are black or dark brown in color and quickly jump from one place to another which make them difficult to catch. Another thing to spot is the flea dirt (flea feces). In case your pooch has dark-colored fur, it might be quite difficult to spot it on time. Therefore, you can put a light colored blanket and command your dog to sit and roll over for a few times. When he stands up, you should be able to see black or brownish flea feces left.

Another trick is to use a wet wipe and to cross over your dog’s body. After a couple of minutes, the flea dirt should become red because of the dog’s blood digested in their feces.

How do dogs get fleas?

Our furry friends can get fleas while playing with another dog who is affected by fleas or they can be found on some other host in nature. Fleas can easily jump from a carrier to your dog if he’s not protected. Since they quickly ‘produce’ a new colony, it’s extremely important to treat them on time. It’s true that there can be found many types of fleas in our environment and one of the most common are mice, dog, and cat fleas.

"Unlike dog fleas that bite only dogs, cat fleas don’t make any exceptions so they usually bite every animal, even humans."

When we talk about house mice fleas, they can bite other animals but don’t choose their body for carriers.

How to get rid of fleas on dogs?

The best solution to get rid of fleas on a dog is to use only vet-approved products that will not cause any side effects. Besides using chemical options such as powders, oils, sprays, and collars, you can treat them naturally. It’s also important to mention that it’s not recommended to use any anti-flea treatment until the puppy turns 8 weeks.

1. Powders against fleas are probably one of the oldest methods that today become changed for less messy treatments. Since they can also be dangerous to inhale, pet owners usually choose other remedies.
2. Dog anti-flea collars are very effective and depending on the type, they can protect a dog up to 6 months.
3. Since sometimes fleas can be very persistent, your vet might prescribe you the oral therapy as well. Note that you don’t have to kill only adult fleas but both fleas’ eggs. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself in a vicious circle. This type of therapy shouldn’t be used before the dog’s 6th month of age.
4. Regular using an anti-fleas shampoo can serve as great prevention. However, they are not so effective as other treatments. The best shampoo for killing fleas is the one that contains imidacloprid and flumethrin. These two ingredients stop the flea larvae from molting.
5. Anti-flea ampoules usually work up to 3 months and are filled with sort of oil that should be applied on the skin of a dog’s spine.

How to kill fleas on dogs naturally?

In case your vet determined there’s no need for using strong anti-flea therapy, then you should try on some of the home remedies to get rid of fleas on your dog.

Natural Dog Deodorant, rich in lavander, lemongrass and pepermint will help keep fleas away. Click for more  

It might sound silly but you can actually do a lot by hoovering your furry friend’s coat. If your dog doesn’t act aggressively when you use a vacuum cleaner for house cleaning, we recommend you try on this trick. Of course, after you finished with hoovering, you need to throw away the vacuum bag.

Another tip is to use a flea comb. They have closely set teeth that will pull out the larvae and fleas out. Special attention should be paid on not to hurt the dog’s skin while doing it. Before you start the process of combing, another useful tip is to prepare a big bowl of water so you can sink the brush after each brushing.

By combing your dog’s fur, you can get rid a lot of fleas from his body. A special note is that you need to do that in your yard or somewhere else outside.

Besides previously mentioned advise, you can naturally kill fleas on your dog by spraying his coat with citronella, lavender and eucalyptus oils. These three magical ingredients have a strong and refreshing smell that will make the fleas run away. However, it’s also important to remind you that the flea larvae still need to be removed by using other methods. We recommend you to check out our Flora 4Pets Natural Dog Deodorant that is rich in lavender, lemongrass, and peppermint. It smells great and will certainly help in getting rid of your dog’s fleas.

Overall, fleas on dogs present one of the most common issues that affect every dog at least twice in their lifetimes. Therefore, we recommend you to think on time on how to prevent them. By regularly combing your dog’s coat, using natural dog deodorant and natural anti-flea shampoo, you’ll definitely help your dog to live a flea-free life.