How To Treat Dog Fleas

Dog fleas are perhaps the most common dog health condition. Treating dog fleas can be difficult especially if the treatment of the flea infestation has been delayed.

The parasites known as dog fleas live in the dogs fur and bite the dog. A dog can get a dog flea infestation from another dog, walking though grass, or from the dogs living environment.

In addition to the discomfort from bites, many dogs develop rashes and may lose fur due to a flea bite allergy. An allergy to fleas is an allergic reaction to flea saliva. Dog fleas can also carry diseases.

Why is it important to treat dog fleas quickly? Dog fleas reproduce at a phenomenal rate. A flea infestation can spread from the dogs fur to the household in a short amount of time.

Treating dog fleas must include treating the fleas of the dog and getting rid of fleas in the dogs environment in order to be effective. For treating fleas on the dog, flea shampoos, flea collars, and monthly applications of flea repellents can be used.

All carpets and wood floors should be vacuumed as the first step for treating dog flea infestations in the home. Wood floors need to be vacuumed since fleas and flea eggs may be between the wooden floor crevices. A high-powered vacuum should be used.

Cloth items like blankets and bedding that the dog uses need to be washed in hot water and dried on high heat if possible. Metal, plastic, and other surfaces around the dog like food bowls and kennels should be washed thoroughly with soapy, hot water.

Flea spray and flea bombs are flea treatments for the home. The areas of the home where the dog spends most of its time should be sprayed. A flea bomb is used to treat several rooms at once.

It is important for the dog owner to follow the instructions on all flea elimination products for the dog and the house. Flea repellents and other flea treatments are chemicals that can be hazardous.