How To Prevent Your Dog From Picking Up Fleas
Fleas are a dreadful nuisance not only to dogs, but to their owners as well. They cause skin irritations and they can be extremely difficult to get rid of. Luckily there are a few things you can do to help prevent your dog from picking up fleas.
The first thing you should do is talk to your vet to see if there are any products he or she can recommend. Because there are numerous flea products on the market, your vet will be able to help you choose the best product for your dog according to its age and health. Some flea products are formulated for older dogs and are not appropriate for use on puppies.
Flea sprays made for use on dogs are available in most pet stores as well as through your vet. This type of product kills the fleas on your dog and prevents them from increasing in number. Make sure you read the instructions carefully and use the product as per the instructions.
Flea dog collars are another way of preventing flea infestations on your dog. These collars can be found in all pet shops both online and in brick and mortar stores. The collars work by killing fleas on contact but be careful as some dogs are allergic to the substances used in these collars.
Flea drops also known as “spot on treatments” are very popular. A few drops of the solution are placed on the dog’s neck and they kill and prevent fleas for a long period of time. Again, exercise caution when using these products as they can cause an allergic reaction in dogs sometimes with tragic results.
Flea shampoos are an easy way to kill fleas that are on your dog, but they don’t prevent re-infestation. When bathing the dog with a flea shampoo you need to lather the shampoo well and allow it to sit on your dog for about 10-15 minutes, avoid getting any into your dog’s eyes and ears. Rosemary boiled in water and allowed to cool makes a great solution for use around sensitive areas on your dog and is a great odor remover too.
If you’ve tried all these methods and your dog is still plagued by fleas, you should take him to the vet for a flea dip. Also make sure you treat your dog’s environment as fleas can be very persistent in an area.
Exercise particular caution when using flea products of any kind on young dogs, puppies and senior dogs. The best time to revisit your flea combating regimen is during spring.