All responsible pet owners want to know that their companion is living a healthy lifestyle. Their physical health and coat are a major contributor to pet care. For maintaining your pet’s health you may consider some tips on Flea Treatments for Dogs. More importantly, dog health is much affected by fleas and other pesky parasites that are attracted to dogs. Remember, your dog lives a very active lifestyle, close to the ground, where fleas are prone.
Pets that are kept outside are more likely to get dog fleas. They can also target your furnishing and family members causing them to have irritated skin or feel ill. There are some ways to get rid of fleas on dogs, prevent, or treat flea infestations on your pet to avoid further health concerns.
Fleas are small parasites that target pets and certain body parts of humans. They feed off warm-blooded animals and nourish their blood. They thrive on small animals like dogs and birds. They’re usually brown in color and about 3mm long. Ironically, they were built to survive without a little effort, being wingless and living off of warm blood. Fleas are hard to recognize until there are signs of irritation or itching. They move by being able to jump on an individual while they’re in a designated flea area. For example, they can land on your clothes or your pet from a walk in the woods or a bathroom break.
Fleas can cause your pet to be irritated and have hot spots, tapeworms, skin infections, anemia, and more. Unfortunately, if fleas are not treated, they can present life-threatening effects for your companion. A single flea bite can be detrimental to your pet if the flea has transmitted a disease like Lyme disease. Ironically, 65% of all pets contract a disease from a flea bite.
Flea Treatment for Dogs – Other Options
Ticks, fleas, and external parasites, in general, are not only a nuisance for you and your furry compadre, but they are also a serious health hazard that should not be allowed to persist – the dog was to catch heartworm and your family. God forbid, your dog was to catch heartworm or any other internal parasite for that matter, because this problem entails a whole other set of treatments, usually with partial success.
You might think that a parasite is just a simple nuisance to deal with when the problem occurs, but there are plenty of subtle nuances to the problem that needs to be addressed to ensure your dog’s long-term health is not in danger. Over the years these little pests have become extremely resilient to various weather conditions, making dogs catch fleas and ticks in the middle of freezing winter and sizzling summer – the rule book is officially out of the window.
We can prevent this from happening, and even treat it effectively should your dog display any of the symptoms. Keep in mind that natural remedies, however favorable, are usually not enough to protect your furry friend or eliminate a persisting problem. This article flea treatment for dogs acts as a comprehensive guide on external parasite treatment and prevention for dogs.
Symptoms You Should Look For
It might seem obvious when you first think about it: if the pooch won’t stop scratching, it must be a sign of a flea infestation. Yes, that is true, but persistent scratching is not the only clue you should be looking for, as every dog is different, and their behavioral patterns will greatly affect your ability to realize that there is a problem in the first place.
If you have a puppy, chances are you will notice a flea infestation immediately because of their short coats and inherent inability to stay calm when something is biting their skin. But that doesn’t mean that you will be able to brush them regularly, so don’t let yourself down.
That said, the problem becomes more complicated with adult dogs, as they are sturdier, more resilient, and calmer than their younger counterparts. It’s not a seldom occurrence for an adult dog to try and take care of the problem on its own, often fighting with a tick and trying to scratch it out when no one is looking.
So the cost factor should be considered for any protrusions and bites, making sure you brush them regularly to remove any excess hair that might be obstructing your view. With that in mind, here are several crucial signs you should look for:
- Droppings or “flea dirt” in your dog’s coat.
- Flea eggs on your dog or in their sleeping environment.
- Severe allergic dermatitis.
- Excessive scratching, licking, or biting at their skin.
- Loss of coat and hairless patches.
- Scabs and hot spots.
- Pale gums, meaning a parasite infestation is restricting proper blood flow.
- Fleas in your bedding, carpets, and home in general.
Effective Flea Treatments for Dogs
When you have assessed the situation and concluded that a parasite infestation is present, you want to immediately spring into action in an attempt to eliminate the problem as quickly as possible. Why the rush, you might ask? Because letting a flea infestation or God forbid, a tick bite, persist (which we will discuss later on) can lead to serious health issues down the road and the problem could transfer to you and your family members.
Luckily, there are numerous options at your disposal, from topical agents that will kill all external parasites, to flea collars intended to achieve the same, all the way to comprehensive internal and external parasite solutions such as Bravecto soft chewable that will also act as a preventative method for several months at a time. Of course, there are some natural treatments you can try, but don’t bet all your money on that racehorse.
Parasites are extremely durable, and more often than not, natural remedies will only take care of a single part of the problem – like killing off adult fleas without killing the eggs. That said, you could try rubbing your dog’s coat with a solution of three cups warm water and one cup apple cider vinegar, spraying lemon juice, or even putting a natural flea tag around their neck. Keep in mind that these methods are not guaranteed to work, nor are they generally recommended by the veterinarian community.
Frontline Flea and Tick For Dogs
The frontline flea and tick for dogs work well for pets 45-88 pounds. It is fast acting, waterproof, and works with an easy three-step process. Its quick-acting solution works to kill fleas and flea eggs. They contain an insect growth regulator and S-methoprene to kill fleas fast. It also contains ingredients that work well against Lyme Disease protecting your pet from disease-carrying fleas.
Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar Large Dog
Click to buy from AmazonBayer Seresto flea and tick collar large dog is great for large dogs and provides eight months of protection against fleas. They work with a sustained released technology solution. They provide a non-greasy, odorless insecticide against fleas. It stops the transmission of disease-causing organisms. Best of all, Seresto is veterinarian approved for your pet. Your pet can wear this hypoallergenic collar and have flea protection around the clock for eight months. Each package contains one collar that has a proven release mechanism formula.
k9 Advantix for Dogs
Large dogs can benefit from the effects of K9 Advantix for dog flea and tick control. However, k9 Advantage for dogs can also be used on small dogs, weighing four to ten pounds. They kill adult fleas, eggs, and larvae. One treatment works for up to four weeks against further flea infestation. Pet owners love their topical flea treatment because it’s still effective after swimming and shampooing. You get six pre-doses with an applicator.
Sentry Cap Guard
Click to buy from AmazonYour small pet can take advantage of Sentry Capguard oral flea tablets. They come with six tablets that work well on small dogs, two to twenty-five pounds. One tablet starts working within thirty minutes. Each tablet contains Nitenpyram, recommended by your veterinarian. Just take one tablet without the fuss of messy chemicals that can rub off. You can also hide the pill in your pet’s food, making sure they swallow the pill to ensure proper flea treatment for your small dog. In fact, they’re FDA-approved, hassle-free, and equipped with a fast active formula. Sentry Capguard can be given to your pet without a prescription.
Health Risks if Left Untreated
The good news is that fleas can’t survive on humans for too long as you can simply wash them away under the shower, provided they don’t get into your hair. If allowed to persist though, your dog is running the risk of suffering from:
Flea Allergy Dermatitis Allergic reactions to flea bites are common in dogs and cats, and they usually result in the dog breaking out in skin infections, usually localized in the bottom half of the dog. These allergies can also cause severe hair loss, lesions, and scabs.
The Dreaded Tapeworm – The main reason why you should treat flea infestations immediately is that believe it or not, they can transmit tapeworms into your dog. That’s right if your dog swallows a flea or an infested egg, which they will, there is a distinct possibility they will end up with a tapeworm. Now, don’t panic but the same could happen to you, so there is no excuse to remain docile.
Isn’t plague Eradicated? – Plague might be eradicated in the human realm, but when it comes to dogs, they can contract the deadly disease if the flea was feasting on an animal that was infected before biting them. The chances are slim, but you can never really know where the flea came from.
Haemobartonellosis – Now that was a mouthful. This disease triggered by bacteria can be transmitted by fleas and tick alike, and it targets the red blood cells in your dog, causing anemia and overall weakness.
Now for the dreaded tick. These little pests can not only impact the quality of life of your pooch, but they can even put their lives in immediate danger if left untreated. If you don’t remove the tick immediately and introduce treatment, you can expect some of the following to happen:
- Lyme Disease – The well-known condition that can severely impact the quality of life in animals and humans alike, Lyme Disease shows symptoms like lameness, pain in joints, and flu.
- Ehrlichiosis – It is caused by bacterial organisms, pain in the joints, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and even nervous system disorders are felt and seen.
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever – This bacterium acts like a virus and causes depression, lethargy, anorexia, blood in the urine, arrhythmia, loss of coordination, swelling in the limbs, edema, there is a pain in the eyes, and the mucus becomes red.
- Anaplasmosis – There may be a pain in the joints, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and nervous system disorders may be observed.
- Babesiosis – A Protozoal infection which shows signs of depression, the urine is dark, there is fever, swollen lymph nodes can be seen
- Tularemia – Symptoms such as high fever, swollen lymph nodes, nasal discharge, and depression can be observed.
- Tick Paralysis – The tick paralyzes the host by injecting toxins into the bloodstream and may affect the nervous system.
- American Canine Hepatozoonosis – Symptoms include fever, weight loss, lack of appetite, diarrhea with blood, painful skin and muscles, muscle wasting and kidney failure may also happen.
- Cytauxzoonosis – Last but not least, Cytauxzoonosis will produce anemia, high fever, depression, jaundice, and difficulty in breathing.
As you can see, there is an imperative to treat tick and flea bites immediately if you are to preserve your pet’s quality of life.
Click here to find more vet-recommended products for flea treatments
Always Consult Your Vet First
As I’ve stated in the beginning, no matter how much you inform yourself on your own, you do need to visit your vet before taking decisive action. After all, your dog’s vet will not only be able to diagnose the problem quickly but also recommend the safest and most effective Therefore, Flea Treatments for Dogs are a serious topic you cannot ignore at the cost of putting your furry friend in danger.
Fleas and ticks are a real problem in today’s world, especially because the little pests are becoming increasingly resistant to weather conditions and traditional treatments. This is why I recommend you not only keep a watchful eye on your pet at all times, but also use strong preventative and treatment methods to ensure they live a long, and healthy life.
Why Use Medicine to Treat Your Dog’s Fleas?
Pet owners are choosing flea medicine and chewable, 10 to 1 over other flea treatment products because they are hassle-free and easy for your pet to digest. Most pets will take their medication as easily as, accepting a treat. During a ninety-day flea control effectiveness study of topical and oral medications, oral medicines were 12% more effective than topicals. Medicine makes it easier to give your pet a monthly dose of medication. More importantly, it saves the pet parent the expense of having to treat several different ailments by combining one medication for all their needs including fleas.
The Benefits of Dog Crate and Spray to Save Your Dog from Fleas
The benefits of dog crate cages will help your pet stay isolated in one area when they’re being treated for fleas. If you’re treating your pet for fleas, their crate should be cleaned periodically to ensure that your dog is not still prone to fleas from their crate. Crates are used for training, safety, and containment.
You can purchase the best dog crate from your favorite retailer wherever pet products are sold. Protecting your pet will come in a variety of styles to meet your needs and your budget. A crate is a comfortable environment for your pet when they’re being treated for fleas. Ordering a dog crate online is easy and they can be shipped to your door.
Flea spray for dogs is an excellent treatment for your pet and household items. It works to protect your pet, furnishings, and household members against fleas. It is a good on-contact method to fight fleas whenever or wherever you find them. It gives you a standardized method to ward off fleas, instead of, using different topical methods of treatment.
Vet’s Best
Vet’s Best is a veterinarian-approved flea and tick spray that has all-natural ingredients. The base ingredients of peppermint and clove oil kill fleas organically and are safe for your pet, family, and the environment. Its all-natural ingredients kill flea eggs and fleas. A spray can be used on your lawn and garden to eliminate fleas. Vets Best won’t stain and is perfect for countertops, flooring, and furniture. They are safe for your plants because they don’t contain any cedar oil, permethrins, or pyrethrins. It kills fleas on contact and protects against future occurrences. Instead of harsh ingredients, you have a spray that is 100% organic and cruelty-free.
Protecting your pet against fleas is an important part of their healthy lifestyle. There are tons of ways to get rid of fleas on dogs. You don’t want your pets exposed to this type of parasite. Flea prevention is the top defense against fleas. The health risk associated with fleas is a major factor in preventing and eliminating fleas on your pet and in your household. Your efforts to prevent fleas can help against a future infestation and protect your pet. The following are other well-known methods to treat fleas.
- Dog Shampoo
- Dog Powder
- Dog Dips
- Dog Spot on treatments
Conclusion
You’re invited to do an online search to learn more about protecting your dog against fleas. Proper prevention can help your pet live a healthy life and reduce the cost of veterinarian visits. Give your dog flea treatment that will help him stay active and happy.
Disclaimer:
All information contained in this website is intended for informational purposes only, as I am not a veterinarian. Furthermore, the content of the website should not be understood as an appeal to ignore the instructions or advice that may be issued by your veterinary doctor.
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