How to treat fleas
- Gina Lupu
- Apr 24
- 2 min read
Treating all pets in the household and cleaning the environment is crucial to break the flea life cycle.
Treatment can be broken down into the following stages dependent on severity.
Physical Removal
Use a fine-tooth flea comb to comb your pet's fur, removing fleas, eggs, and flea dirt.
Regularly check the comb for flea dirt and dip the comb into soapy water to kill the fleas and their eggs.
Obtain appropriate pet shampoo or medicated flea pet shampoo.
Thoroughly wash your pet using pet shampoo or a medicated flea pet shampoo.
Medication
Over-the-counter products containing nitenpyram can kill fleas within 30 minutes.
Topical treatments like Spot-on treatments can kill fleas on contact and offer some prevention.
Oral medications like chewable tablets can kill fleas by affecting their nervous system.
Consult your veterinarian for stronger medications if needed.
Environmental Control
Cleaning - Vacuum regularly, especially around pet bedding and in areas your dog frequents.
Laundering - Wash pet bedding in hot water to kill fleas and eggs.
Household sprays - Use a household flea spray in areas where your dog spends time.
Treat all pets - If you have other pets, treat them for fleas as well to prevent re-infestation.
Prevention
Use a licensed veterinary flea prevention product regularly.
Flea collars can kill and repel fleas.
Vaccinating your dog against fleas can also help prevent infestations.
By combining physical removal, medication, environmental control, and preventative measures, you can effectively treat fleas on your pet's and prevent future infestations.
Important Considerations
Consult your veterinarian: It's crucial to consult with your veterinarian to determine the best course of treatment for your pet's specific situation.
Use products safely: Follow the instructions on all flea products carefully, especially for topical treatments.
Don't use human products: Never use flea treatments designed for humans on your pet's.
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