Dog's Health

How to Get Rid of Fleas on Puppy     

If puppy pets lives both indoors and outdoors, you will always have the possible risk of fleas.  Fleas do not only attack puppy and your other pets, but they also attack the other people living in the house.

Unfortunately fleas are a fact of life for all animals.  Your puppy will get them if he ever goes outdoors (and not letting puppy play outside is not really an option, puppy needs fresh air and exercise).  Fleas are small, so they can jump from puppy to another surface like the couch and then to you. 

Fleas bite and they bite hard.  For most puppies, the bites are irritating and cause scratching.  For some puppies, the bites may even cause flea bite dermatitis.  This condition is really miserable for puppy and it will make him really uncomfortable.  The bites can result in a severe allergic reaction that can lead to anemia and even tapeworm infestation. So you can see, keeping puppy free from fleas are very important.

Once fleas have infested your puppy, they can be the devil to get rid of.  Some owners use flea baths, over-the-counter pesticides, and flea collars.  These work for some, but not for all.  Also, over-the-counter remedies can be dangerous to puppy and your family.

Here are a few ideas on ways to get rid of fleas on your puppy and the rest of the family.

1. Growth Regulators:

One option is growth regulators that target the eggs. Growth regulators take a few weeks to work, but produce non-viable egg offspring from the adult fleas. 

2. Pesticides:

Pesticides kill the adult insects. Killing the adult insects doesn’t guarantee that the eggs will die as well. 

If the infestation is severe, a stronger substance may be warranted.  Before buying anything, consult with your veterinarian to find out the best course of treatment.  The items that they carry are safer than what is found in the stores.

3. Flea Combs:

Flea combs are also a good course of treatment.  Combing puppy’s fur once or twice a week can rid him of harmful fleas.  Comb him when he comes in from outdoors before he has a chance to jump on everything in the house.

4. Cleaning Puppy’s Environment:

Cleaning puppy’s normal haunts on a regular basis will cut down on problems with fleas as well.  This includes every place that puppy ever goes to such as puppy’s bed, his blanket, his crate, and his toys.  Thoroughly vacuuming all rugs, carpets and all furniture keeps fleas away from others in the household.

5. Treating Your Home:

If you decide to treat your home for fleas consult a professional.  Using substances like borate powder can be dangerous.  Inhaling the powder can make everyone very sick.  Professional application is the only way to go.

Unfortunately fleas are a fact of live. Make sure you protect puppy to the best of your abilities. Keep puppy clean by bathing him regularly and by combing him regularly. For the correct shampoo to use on puppy, consult your vet, shampoos for humans are NOT suitable for animals. Make very sure of this because using the wrong or too strong a shampoo can have dire consequences, please do not take any chances on this.

Take puppy for regular checkup to the vet. Your vet will be able to give you the best advice possible on flea control. If you have made puppy comfortable with going to the vet, as we have discussed in a previous article, taking puppy to the vet will be easy and everyone will be relaxed.