Although gnats are not as pesky to your dog's health as fleas and ticks, they can cause skin irritation if housed in your dog's coat. Because your dog's coat is a warm place for gnats to reside, you should kill them by bathing your dog with a flea and tick shampoo. The medicated shampoo will kill the gnats and any eggs they may have left behind on your dog. Flea and tick shampoo is available at local pet stores, and any drug store that has a pet section.
Things You'll Need
- Cotton ball
- Mineral oil
- Flea and tick shampoo
- Thin-toothed comb
- Towel
- Blow dryer
Instructions
Place your dog in a tub, and fill the tub with lukewarm water, until it reaches the dog's stomach. Place one cotton ball in each ear, to prevent water from getting in. Add one drop of mineral oil to each eye, to protect them from shampoo. Pour lukewarm water over the dog's coat, and continue to wet the coat until is drenched.
Put on gloves, and pour a quarter-size amount of flea and tick shampoo into your palms. Massage the shampoo through your dog's coat starting at the top of the head, avoiding you dog's eyes. Continue massaging the shampoo into your dog's coat, until his entire body is lathered with soap. Allow the shampoo to sit on your dog's coat for three to five minutes before rinsing.
Comb the dog's cost with a thin-toothed comb, starting from the top of the head and working your way to the tail. Periodically, rinse the comb out to remove dead gnats and lather from the comb's teeth. Wash the shampoo out of your dog's coat with warm water, and rinse the dog's coat with cool water. Do not use hot water to wash your dog's coat, as hot water can scald your dog and remove the fur's natural oils.
Remove the dog from the tub, and towel blot his coat to remove excess moisture. Set your blow dryer to a warm setting, and blow dry his coat until it is 80 percent dry.
Sprinkle flea and tick powder evenly over its coat, and gently brush the coat with a dog brush---from the head to the tail---to evenly distribute the powder. According to Pro Dog Grooming Supplies, give your dog a bath with the flea and tick shampoo every two weeks, to prevent gnats from returning.