How Can I Get Rid of Fleas on My 6 Week Old Puppy?

New pet owners can be overwhelmed by the prospect of removing fleas from a 6-week-old puppy with good reason. Commercial medications for flea control can be harmful to a dog at this age. If not treated, fleas can cause a serious infection and occasionally even death. Fleas multiply quickly; a female flea will lay four to eight eggs that will hatch and mature in around 20 days. Fortunately, these pests can be easily and safely removed without exposing your pet or your family to harmful and dangerous chemicals.

Things You'll Need

  • Table or bench
  • Small bucket of water
  • Flea comb
  • Vacuum cleaner with upholstery attachment
  • Carpet shampooer and mild carpet shampoo
  • Laundry detergent
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the puppy on a table or bench. Grasp her by placing one or two fingers underneath her collar or by grabbing the scruff of her neck, which is the loose skin just below the head area. Place a small bucket of water just underneath the table or bench.

    • 2

      Comb the top of the puppy's head with a flea comb, which is a very small fine-tipped comb designed to catch fleas in its teeth. Pay special attention to the back of the puppy's ears but comb gently in this area to avoid scratching. Dip the comb in the bucket of water very quickly after each pass to drown any fleas that were picked up before they are able to jump off the comb.

    • 3

      Continue combing the pet's back, sides and tail. Keep making strokes in an area until two or three strokes in a row come back flea-free before moving on to another area.

    • 4

      Comb the puppy's chest and front legs. Flip her over and comb the belly and hind legs. Do a quick overall comb on the dog after this to gather any fleas that have moved during the combing process.

    • 5

      Use the flea comb to remove fleas from all other pets in the home. Comb your pets once or twice a day with the comb if the infestation is severe. Continue doing this for at least two weeks, then comb only every other day for another week.

    • 6

      Vacuum any rooms that the puppy has been in with a vacuum cleaner that has an upholstery attachment. Use the upholstery attachment to vacuum furniture and upholstery. Empty the vacuum cleaner bag or cup into a plastic bag, then and tie it up and remove it from the home immediately.

    • 7

      Shampoo carpet and upholstered furniture in any rooms where a puppy has been sleeping with a carpet cleaning machine. Use only steam or a very mild carpet shampoo. Make sure the carpet is completely dry before bringing your puppy back into the room.

    • 8

      Wash your pet's bedding in hot water and mild detergent. Dry these items in a clothes dryer rather than hanging outside. Replace them only after all animals have been combed with a flea comb; wash them daily during the period when animals are being treated for fleas.

    • 9

      Limit the amount of outdoor activity your puppy has during this time. If she is still nursing, keep the mother indoors as much as possible also, so she will not bring fleas inside from the yard to her litter.