How to Deflea a Pregnant Dog

It is important to keep your dog as healthy and comfortable as possible while she waits to deliver her puppies. Therefore it is essential to de-flea her to keep her stress levels down and other unpleasantness, though using commercial flea products can be dangerous. Such products contain powerful chemicals which can harm any animal, let alone one that is pregnant. Go the natural route when de-fleaing a pregnant dog to ensure she and her pups remain healthy.

  1. Grooming

    • Use a fine-tooth comb specifically made for de-fleaing purposes to groom your pregnant pooch. The comb teeth will lift fleas from her hair. Have a small container of rubbing alcohol next to you to dump the fleas on the comb in, as this type of alcohol kills fleas instantly. Clean off the comb as you go so the rubbing alcohol doesn't get on your dog's hair, which can upset her stomach if she licks it off. Dip the comb in a small container of water, then use a clean rag to dry it off. Depending on the severity of the flea problem, groom your dog once weekly to twice daily.

    Bath

    • Give your pregnant dog a bath to get rid of fleas. Anything that creates a lather, such as shampoo or soap, will drown fleas. Use a natural liquid soap or shampoo to bathe your pooch, as chemicals from commercial shampoos, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, dry out the skin. Avoid getting soap or shampoo in the eyes; flush the eyes immediately with water should this occur. Use your hands or a rubber dog brush to bathe your dog.

    Vegetable Oil

    • Use vegetable oil to de-flea your dog; use either corn oil or cooking vegetable oil. Simply pour some oil into your hands and massage it into your dog's hair and skin. Repeat this process until you have covered the dog entirely; remember to avoid getting the oil in the eyes. If oil does get in your dog's eyes, flush immediately with water. The oil smothers the fleas and heals existing bites; the fleas should come off in your hands as you work, particularly if the infestation is severe. The oil will not harm your pregnant dog if she licks it or if it gets absorbed through the skin. Use warm, soapy water to remove the oil once you finish de-fleaing your dog. Do this two to four times throughout the course of a few weeks to remove all fleas. This combined with regularly vacuuming and cleaning is a very effective flea remedy.

    Diet

    • Keep your pregnant dog on a steady diet of fresh, complete foods, preferably those you make yourself. A balanced diet is necessary to keep fleas at bay, as good nutrition makes the dog less susceptible to the blood-suckers. In addition to repelling fleas, a good diet will also keep your dog healthy and happy, and make for a healthier litter.

    Yeast

    • Dust your pregnant dog with yeast powder to keep fleas from coming back. Yeast is repellent to fleas, and will not be toxic to your four-legged friend, should she decide to lick it off. Dust her as often as necessary to keep fleas away.