Fleas can be a dangerous nuisance for dogs, particularly small puppies. Flea infestation in a puppy can cause anemia, which means the puppy will lack red blood cells. This can result in oxygen deprivation and even death. Unfortunately, small puppies cannot be exposed to the harsh chemicals in many flea medications. However, there are some ways to safely rid your puppy of fleas without the use of these chemicals.
Remember to also treat your home, yard and other pets, as fleas will re-infest your pet if you do not take these precautions.
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Bath
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A bath is one way to rid your puppy of fleas, though it is a time-consuming process. Fill your sink or bathtub with warm water and place your puppy inside. Take your pup out and wash it with Dawn dish washing liquid, or with a puppy shampoo. Dawn is gentle enough for your puppy's skin. Once you have washed your pet, begin picking fleas off him. Once you have removed as many fleas as you see, place your puppy back in the water up to his neck, for a few minutes. This will cause remaining fleas to either drown or run to higher ground, i.e. his head, where you can easily remove them.
Flea Comb
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Purchase a flea comb at any pet store. Brush the comb over your puppy's fur and kill the fleas you find. Be aware that fleas can easily jump back onto the puppy, so be sure to kill them as you remove them. This method may be difficult in long-haired breeds, but it is a safe way to rid young puppies of fleas, although it also is time consuming.
Herbal Flea Collar
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Herbal flea collars are an alternative to normal flea collars. Most flea collars contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to a puppy's skin. Herbal collars use herbal, aromatic oils that fleas dislike to drive them away. These collars will not kill fleas, simply help drive them away. It is probably wise to use an herbal flea collar in combination with other flea remedies.
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