Fighting fleas is one of the most frustrating challenges of pet ownership. If you don't kill them all, your home will be infested again in no time. The best ways to kill fleas on dogs include eradicating the parasites from your home as well.
According to the Center for Disease Control, there are more than 2,000 species of fleas. These pests survive best in warm and humid climates. They are parasites, which means they must feed off of the blood of a host animal to survive.
It's important that you understand how fleas live and reproduce in order to effectively get rid of them. During its life cycle, a flea changes from an egg, to larvae, to pupae and finally into an adult flea. An adult female flea can live for more than three weeks and lay 20-30 eggs each day.
Fleas can also survive for more than 100 days without a blood meal, which means they can easily survive on carpeting, bedding, furniture or other areas where your dog spends his time. Getting rid of a flea infestation is more than just learning the best ways to kill fleas on dogs – you need to get them out of your home as well.
3 Best Ways To Kill Fleas On Dogs
If your dog had or has fleas, it's almost guaranteed that these pests are all around your home too. Even if you are able to get rid of fleas on your dog, it's unlikely that you'll be id of the little buggers for long. The fleas in your carpeting, bedding and upholstery are still reproducing and looking for a host. It's only a matter of time before they're back on your pooch.
You should check your dog for fleas at least twice a week. Early detection is key to getting rid of fleas quickly and easily. The sooner you know they are there, the less time they'll have to multiple and infest your pet.
The best ways to kill fleas on dogs are by using preventative flea treatments, which will keep your dog from contracting these pests in the first place. The most common preventative flea solutions are collars and pills. Studies have shown that these are the most effective ways at preventing and killing fleas on dogs and cats.
There are also natural remedies for fleas; however, while they're less harmful to use, they aren't as effective as commercial products. You can also purchase commercial products to kill the fleas in and around you home. Flea bombs, sprays and powders are available to treat your carpeting and upholstery.
How to Kill Fleas On a Dog
You need to treat your dog fo fleas as soon as you spot the first one! Whether you find a flea on your pet or see one jumping on your living room rug, your dog needs a flea bath as soon as possible.
You should always have flea shampoo on hand. Give your dog a flea bath, and let the shampoo sit in his coat for at least 10 minutes. You need to give the shampoo enough time to kill all of the fleas before rinsing it out.
If you're not able to bathe your dog, you can also use a dog flea spray that is made to be used on pets. Many of these sprays can also be used in your home and on your furniture.
Whether you choose a dog flea shampoo or spray, follow the instructions on the packaging. Some products need to sit in the dog's coat for a specific amount of time to be effective. If you rinse them off early, the fleas are likely to survive.
After you've bathed/sprayed your dog, use a flea comb to make sure none of the pests survived. If you find any fleas, drown them in a small bowl of flea spray or a solution of water mixed with a little flea shampoo.
Remove Fleas From Your Home
When it comes to the best ways to kill fleas on dogs, consider the environment that your pet lives in. There are many ways to remove fleas from your home, but none of them are effective enough on their own. You need to treat your pet and their home environment.
The best defense against fleas in the house is a vacuum cleaner. Unlike some flea treatments, a vacuum will get rid of a flea in any stage of its life cycle. After you've finished vacuuming, dispose of the contents (whether it's a bag or a canister) in an outdoor trash receptacle immediately.
After you've vacuumed every room in your house (even the rooms that your dog doesn't frequent), go through every room using a carpet spray or flea powder. You can also use a flea bomb if you choose to, but you'll have to get all of the living things (including plants) out of your home before activating the bomb. You'll also have to stay out of your home for a couple of hours and do some extensive cleaning when you return.
