Flea treatment for dogs

If you have a dog that seems to be suffering from flea infestation - be quick. The sooner you rid your dog of fleas, the better, both for you and for your pet. In this article you will find everything you need to know to combat these parasites. 

SYMPTOMS

If your dog scratches itself excessively, bites its rear, tail end or thighs, loses hair, has skin lesions and/or red bumps and, on top of that, you find flea excrement (tiny black fecal matter; if you add water to it and smear it using toilet paper it gets red in colour) - there's a pretty good chance that your dog has been infested with fleas. Don't hesitate to act; flea infestation may have a bad influence on the health of your pet. Apart from the obvious discomfort, many animals suffer from FAD, i. e., Flea Allergic Dermatitis, which can be tough on your dog.

TREATMENT

How do you get about treating your pet, then? Well, first and foremost, remember that chemicals are the last resort.
It has been scientifically proven that chemicals may have, and often do, severe side effects and it is recommended that unless the natural methods of treatment fail, you should not apply artificial drugs to your animal. Luckily, there are many natural remedies easy to use.

NATURAL METHODS

You need to check your dog for fleas every day. To do that effectively, buy a special flea comb and, having applied petroleum jelly to it, comb you dog thoroughly. Remember to place your pet on a light-coloured cloth; then you will see how many fleas fall from your dog's fur. Also, it may be a good idea to use a cotton ball dipped in alcohol and dab it on your pet's body before combing.

HYGIENE

Your dog needs to be bathed every week, best in gentle shampoos containing pyrethrin, or citrus oil. Fleas and bugs are repelled by several smells and tastes, such as: cider vinegar, lavender, lemongrass, peppermint or citronella, so we advise you to use these oils regularly.

FOOD SUPPLEMENTATION

If the above natural methods fail, then it may become essential that you consult a vet who will prescribe medication and suggest changes to your pet's diet. The most popular and effective dietary supplements are Omega 3 and 6 fatty acid supplements and vitamin B complex capsules. You can also try adding a crushed clove of garlic to your dog's food or safflower or seaweed. But remember: you must not make any dietary changes until you have consulted a vet.

HOUSE PROTECTION

Once your pet is flea-free, then the time has come to rid your house and garden of these pesky insects. There is a wide selection of flea sprays and flea bombs available on the market. Having used them, hoover and clean your house thoroughly so that the flea infestation will never occur again and all your effort will not be in vain.