If your dog has fleas, you'll want to get rid of them as quickly as possible. Ridding your home, your family, and your pet of these bloodsucking pests requires a combination of maintenance and the judicious application of a flea treatment. Chemical treatments are effective, but there are also natural treatments that are free of potentially harmful chemical agents.
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Check Your Dog
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Examine your dog—with gloved hands—to determine the extent of the infestation. You may not be able to see the fleas, but if your dog is scratching a great deal assume he has them. You may see small black specks in the hair around the base of your dog's tail. This is most likely flea feces.
Clean The House
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The fleas on your dog can easily spread to other areas of the house. They can get in the carpet, in the furniture, and in the dark corners where no one ever goes. Your first step is to vacuum thoroughly, then empty the bag and burn its contents to avoid re-infestation. If you don't wish to burn what's in the bag, seal the waste in a plastic bag and keep it in an outdoor garbage can. You may need to do this several times as you treat your dog's infestation.
Also, wash your pet's bed and dry it in a hot dryer.
Natural Treatments
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There are effective organic flea-killers as well. Many contain pyrethrin, a long-standing pesticide. Some have d-Limonene, made in the manufacturing of citrus products, and some have diatomaceous earth, a chalky substance made from hardened algae. Diatomaceous earth sticks to the flea's skeleton and kills it by dehydration. The first two are less caustic than many chemical treatments, but diatomaceous earth is considered the safest of the organic treatments.
Put your dog outside for a few hours after treatment; the fleas will jump off, and you don't want them re-infesting your animal.
Call The Exterminator
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Sometimes a flea infestation is so severe it requires the help of a professional. Exterminators can fumigate your home, but you may be able to do this yourself by using flea bombs, cans of pesticide that are placed in the middle of the room and set off. Flea foggers do much the same thing, but allow the user the flexibility to spray on certain areas or pieces of furniture. Both products use highly toxic substances, so it is important to follow the directions exactly.
Prevention
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Fleas are parasites, and parasites love nothing more than an easy target. Unhealthy skin is itchy and susceptible to breaking down and bleeding, leading to flea infestation. While healthy skin won't necessarily prevent an infestation, it can lower the risk of a severe one. Proper diet and grooming will promote healthy skin.
Flea collars and sprays will also help against infestation.
Flea Collars and FrontLine
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Flea collars have long been a popular option, though they do emit pesticide, and sometimes their effectiveness is limited to the dog's face and neck areas. FrontLine is a flea-and-tick removal product that is sold at major pet stores. The product is fast-acting, promising to kill all fleas and ticks within two days of application.
Other Common Treatments
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Topical medications are also popular, including shampoos and creams that kill fleas the moment they bite an animal. You may wish to ask your veterinarian whether these medications pose any long-term health risks to your dog or the people around it. There are also pills to slow the growth and reproduction of fleas, but some dogs do not tolerate the treatment well.
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