Fleas are wingless insects that suck blood from the wounds they create by biting a host with their sharp mouthparts. Flea larvae hatch from tiny, hard-to-spot eggs. After a few weeks, they develop into fleas and seek a host. If you notice your young dog scratching itself, look for fleas. If you see the tiny, hopping insects, you need to remove them or the problem will worsen. The most natural way to do this is to use a flea comb, which is a fine-toothed comb that will scrape away the fleas without harming your puppy.
Things You'll Need
- Bowl of soapy water
- Flea comb
- Borax powder
- Vacuum
Instructions
Fill a bowl with water and add some soap.
Bring the puppy, bowl and flea comb outside. The goal is to prevent the fleas from infesting your home further when they jump off the puppy. If you cannot bring the puppy outdoors, use a bathtub. The light color of the bathtub will make it easy to spot the fleas. Be sure to rinse the fleas down the drain after you finish.
Run the flea comb through the puppy's fur. Use long, slow strokes. The narrow teeth of the flea comb will either catch the fleas or cause them to jump off.
Dip the comb in the bowl to rinse off the fur and fleas. The soap and water will kill the fleas. Make sure the flea comb is free of fur and fleas before using it again.
Repeat the combing and rinsing process until you have combed the puppy's whole body.
Perform the entire procedure daily until the flea problem disappears.
Bring puppies that are over six weeks old to the veterinarian and ask for a topical application. The veterinarian will be able to recommend a topical application that will not harm your puppy. Ask for clear instructions, including how long the application should last and how often you can use it.
Whether you use a topical treatment or a flea comb, sprinkle borax powder over the puppy's play and sleep areas to kill any fleas or flea larvae, then vacuum the areas thoroughly. Flea eggs can hatch anywhere from several days to several weeks after being laid, so don't assume that the problem is solved just because you don't see them immediately.