Best flea treatment for dogs

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Fleas are a huge problem for animal owners. What we can do to prevent flea infestation and how does one get rid of these insects?

First of all, let's see what we know about fleas.

A flea is an insect which sucks blood. It can carry many diseases (eg. Typhus) or parasites (eg. Tapeworms). Fleas usually feed on an animal host. Female fleas can lay up to 200 eggs a day. The flea lifespan lasts from one to three months.

There are many methods of proving possible flea invasion. For example, the so-called flea comb will help you determine if your dog has fleas. These combs are an excellent way to both confirm flea presence and, at the same time, get rid of these pesky insects.

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.

Flea and tick control for dogs

Flea and tick control is vital for anyone who wants to lead a bug-free life. You may not be aware of how easy it is for your dog to get fleas. Be it a stray cat, a neighbour's new puppy, a racoon, whatever that walks over your yard and spills one female flea that later recklessly reproduces in your garden, and you have a flea problem at your door.

Naturally, fleas need proper conditions to develop. They like heat, so no wonder that we suffer from flea infestation mostly in the summer months. It does not mean, however, that you need not worry about fleas or ticks in winter. Actually, according to specialists, there are only about 40-45 days in the year cycle when we can totally forget about these pesky creatures. And these days vary dramatically as far as the region is concerned, so you'd better be on your guard.

Natural flea treatment for dogs

To start with, give your dog a nice bath in a delicate shampoo. Hygiene at this stage is vital, so make sure your dog is washed once a week. You should equip yourself with a special flea comb (a fine toothed one) and comb your pet regularly. It is advisable that you apply petroleum jelly to it so that fleas will stick to the substance on the comb. To see how many fleas are pestering your dog, place the animal on a light-coloured piece of cloth and you will have the dubious pleasure of seeing the fleas falling out of the animal's fur. Sometimes, it is also advisable to use a cotton ball dipped in alcohol and dab it on your pet's body before combing. 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.