The Best Flea Treament for Dogs

There are more than 2,200 flea species worldwide, but in North America the most common flea of both cats and dogs is the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis). These bloodsucking pests are highly adapted for life on their host, and they often turn their appetite toward humans. Outdoor fleas will hop onto a dog, and then be carried into the home. Eliminating fleas requires controlling them on the host and in the environment. Before picking a treatment, consult with your veterinarian.

  1. Topical Flea Treatments

    • Topical flea treatments come in small tubes filled with liquid that are applied to the skin on the back of the dog's neck. They use chemical controls such as dinotefuran, fipronil and imidacloprid. The insecticide is absorbed through the dog's skin, and is distributed throughout the body. These chemicals kill fleas within 24 hours, and one application is good for 30 days of protection. They are also easy to apply, and their toxicity to mammals is low compared to flea sprays and shampoos. Be sure to read instruction labels carefully, because many are not suitable for puppies under a certain age.

    Oral Flea Treatments

    • Oral treatments work by means of a pill or a tablet. Some are flavored and can be given directly to the dog, others can be given wrapped in a piece of cheese or hamburger. The active ingredients are lufenuron, nitenpyram or spinosad. The effective time frame varies widely. Nitenpyram will kill fleas within 30 minutes and is good for 24 to 48 hours. It is meant for daily consumption, while lufenuron is an insect growth inhibitor that lasts for 30 days when given orally. Spinosad can last up to 60 days. Like topical treatments, oral treatments have age restrictions. Check the instructions carefully.

    Shampoos

    • Bathing your dog can kill adult fleas, and remove the flakes of skin, dried blood and flea feces that larval fleas feed on. Bathing your dog is more labor intensive than oral or topical treatments, but some flea shampoos can be used on puppies. Be sure to read the label on the product. Liquid dish soap can also kill fleas, and is safe for dogs of all ages. The downside is that liquid dish soap strips the dog's coat and skin of protective oils. When using this treatment, the dog should be thoroughly lathered, and the lather should be allowed to stay on the dog for up to 15 minutes for best results.

    Flea Dust

    • Dusts are meant to be applied to the dog's coat when the hair is dry. Wear gloves and a mask when applying flea dust. Most flea dusts come prepackaged in shaker applicators. Shake the dust over the dog's back, then use your hands to work the dust into the coat and down to the skin. Most flea control dusts are chemical pesticides, but diatomaceous earth can also be used on dogs. It is a powdery substance made of the exoskeletons of single celled algae. It kills fleas by piercing the waxy coating on their exoskeleton, causing them to desiccate and die. Use natural grade diatomaceous earth --- pool grade is not suitable for use on pets.