Fleas are parasites that feed on animal blood and affect humans and other mammals. A flea-infested dog might have extremely itchy skin, skin infections and anemia, and some animals are allergic to fleas. Fleas can infect your dog with tapeworms because they are natural carriers, according to the Partnership for Animal Welfare. There are plenty of chemical treatments available from veterinarians and pet stores, but some home remedies also work to remove and kill fleas.
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Flea Comb
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Thoroughly combing your dog with a flea comb allows you to find and remove fleas from your dog’s fur and skin. Applying petroleum jelly to the comb prior to using it on the dog helps make the fleas stick to the comb, according to the Partnership for Animal Welfare. Once you have removed the fleas from your dog, you can drop them in a cup of water mixed with a teaspoon of cooking oil, which will smother and kill them.
Liquid Soap
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Washing your dog with a mixture of liquid soap and water can kill any fleas currently residing in your dog’s fur, according to Stop the Fleas. Liquid soap can also repel fleas from choosing your dog’s fur and skin as their new home. Check with your veterinarian before using liquid soap on a dog.
Flea Shampoo
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Flea shampoo is a tried and tested way of removing fleas from your dog in the comfort of your own home. Fleas need air to survive and many can drown when you bathe your dog, even if you don’t use shampoo, according to the Flea Control Guide. Using a shampoo designed to kill fleas on dogs can get rid of any hangers on. Applying flea shampoo around the dog’s neck as soon as it gets wet can prevent fleas from escaping onto the dog’s head and avoiding contact with the shampoo. Do not apply flea shampoo to a dog’s head.
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