My Dog Is Suffering From Flea Bites

Flea bite prevention is an ongoing task for dog owners and one which requires vigilance and routine, to prevent some of the more serious conditions that can result. If your dog is suffering from flea bites, you will need to treat the dog and the areas that the dog frequents, because flea eggs can lie dormant between floorboards, in carpet and under any loose floor coverings.

  1. Flea Allergy Dermatitis

    • Flea infestations are more serious for some dogs, because they can have an allergic reaction to the saliva of the fleas and develop flea allergy dermatitis. The saliva from fleas contains a number of different antigens, derived from bacteria and viruses -- many of which cause an allergic reaction in dogs. Itchy patches can develop where the fleas have bitten the dog and the areas around the bites can become inflamed, causing hair loss, small sores and eventually infected skin sores. These skin sores can then develop into a more serious condition called pyoderma; which can become quite serious, if it is not treated.

    Treatments for Flea Bites

    • There are many commercial products on the market for the treatment of fleas, including shampoos, lotions, tablets, flea collars and topical preventative treatments; such as Advantage and Frontline. Shampoo your dog every couple of days, if he is suffering from a flea infestation, and comb through his coat thoroughly, to remove any dead fleas and larvae. After you have removed all the fleas from your dog, regular application of a preventative will reduce the risk of the fleas returning. A healthy diet will also reduce the likeliness of flea bite irritation, because a dog with a healthy immune system can combat the allergens in the flea's saliva.

    Natural Treatments

    • Natural flea treatments are also available for those people that prefer not to use chemicals on their dogs. Eucalyptus oil is a natural alternative to commercial flea treatment and it works, because the fleas cannot stand the smell of eucalyptus. It must be diluted with water before you apply it to your dog's coat, because it can irritate the dog's skin if it is too strong. You can also add eucalyptus oil to the rinse cycle when you wash your dog's bedding, to repel returning fleas. Eucalyptus should not however be used around cats. Neem oil is another natural insecticide, but it can be toxic, if you do not follow the directions carefully. You can add neem oil to your dog's shampoo or conditioning rinse.

    Yard and Garden

    • Fleas can live in your yard and -- if your dog spends a lot of time out in the yard -- you will need to use some preventative measures to keep the flea population down. Cedar chips are a good natural flea repellent, which can be sprinkled along the fence line. Remove any piles of leaf litter, as this can provide the moisture and warmth necessary for fleas to breed -- and keep the grass mowed short. Beneficial nematodes are tiny worms that can be introduced into your soil to rid your garden area of fleas. Beneficial nematodes feed on the fleas, as well as other undesirable pests.