How to Deal with Fleas on Dogs

Fleas can be a major nuisance for pet owners, especially during the summer months in most places. They prefer temperatures of 65 to 80 degrees and higher humidity levels. They’re particularly common in parts of the southern United States, which see year-round warmth and high levels of humidity.

Dogs can get attacked by fleas after coming into contact with other animals that have already been affected, or by encountering fleas in their environments. Fleas have strong back legs that allow them to jump from host to host, or from the area surrounding them onto the host. They will quickly begin biting into the animal, which can cause itching that can get particularly severe for animals that have allergic reactions to those bites. The resulting scratching and chewing can cause bleeding, hair loss and skin infections.

Fleas can be a little difficult to spot on dogs, but when you’re taking care of pet grooming in Henderson, NV is a good time to check for them. Check on the belly and within furry areas and look for bugs that are about the size of a pinhead and are a dark, coppery sort of color. They’ll usually be scurrying around on the body. If you have noticed your dog scratching or biting a lot, it’s a good idea to check their skin for fleas.

How do you deal with fleas once you are certain your dog has them? Here are some tips from our grooming team:

• Topical and oral solutions: There are various types of dog flea and tick pills that can help you rid your pet of fleas. There are some that target adult fleas and others that target eggs and larvae as well. You can even find products that combine flea and tick prevention with heartworm prevention. Talk to your vet about the various options available and which one might be the best bet for your dog.
• Prescriptions: There are some prescription flea medications available for dogs that are having clear problems with fleas and ticks. Your veterinarian will be able to tell you more about the available drugs, but you can rest assured that prescription methods will provide a great way to kill fleas quickly and get your dog comfortable again. Some such drugs prevent adult fleas from laying eggs, or can stop those eggs from hatching, which breaks the life cycle of the flea and prevents it from being an ongoing issue.
• Shampoos: There are various types of flea and tick shampoos for dogs that can be effective in the right circumstances. They may not be an option for small puppies, who have more sensitive hair and skin, and you’ll also want to consider whether or not your pet will actually tolerate getting wet and lathered up before you decide to go the shampoo route.

Again, you should talk to your veterinarian about the best flea prevention methods for you to take with your dog. It’s also important to keep up with regular pet grooming in Henderson, NV. Visit The Soggy Dog to give your dog the good bath he needs!

Categorised in: Grooming

This post was written by Writer