A flea infestation can cause a great deal of discomfort for your pet. Dogs and cats can irritate and break their skin scratching and chewing on itchy flea bites. Some pets can even be seriously harmed by fleas, especially those that have an allergic reaction to flea bites and young puppies or kittens that become anemic from blood loss. Fleas can also leave your pet and infest carpets, furniture, bedding, and people.
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Dishwashing Liquid to Kill Fleas
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Giving your pet a bath with any soap is an effective way to kill adult fleas on your pet's body. The fleas that don't drown in the water get smothered by the suds. Some brands of dish soap, like Dawn, are gentle enough to use on an animal's skin, although this soap can cause dryness and irritation. Talk to your vet about using dishwashing liquid to wash your pet, because he might be able to recommend a gentler product. Dishwashing liquid might not be appropriate for all pets.
Wash the Pet
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To wash your pet with dishwashing liquid, wet the fur all over with warm water. Put some of the dishwashing liquid on a washcloth and rub it on the animal's head and around the ears first, because when the water hits the fleas they will start escaping to higher places on the animal. Take care not to get any soap in the animal's eyes, mouth, nose, or ears. Next, fill your palm with the dishwashing liquid and lather the pet's entire body. Wash the back, legs, chest, and belly. Let the lather sit on the pet for a few minutes, then rinse it off with warm water. You should see dead fleas coming off in the rinse water.
Aftercare and Prevention
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Dry the pet well with a towel after bathing. Washing with soap should have removed most of the adult fleas, but check its head and face and remove any remaining fleas with your fingernails or a pair of tweezers. If the animal has a more serious flea problem, you should also comb it with a fine-toothed comb to remove any remaining fleas, larvae, or eggs. Some pets might have bare, irritated patches or hot spots from flea irritation, so ask your vet to recommend a cream to treat these. If you live in a region where fleas are especially prolific, wash your pet monthly and brush it weekly to get rid of as many fleas as you can. Talk to your vet about monthly flea treatments and insecticides you can safely use in your home.
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