Being a pet owner is challenging; you must regularly check your dog’s health. With this comes the responsibility of protecting your dog from flea attacks. When a single flea gets suitable conditions to thrive, it starts breeding and makes your dog’s fur a breeding ground. Dealing with a flea infestation is difficult and can often be quite overwhelming, especially when you have to repeat the same process several times. A flea can spread in your whole house, and you must consult a professional. Therefore, before it’s too late, we are here to provide some useful information concerning flea Infestation and how to get rid of fleas on dogs. The article below offers easy home remedies for fleas on dogs and ways to prevent further growth of these parasites.
How Do Dogs Get Fleas?
Fleas can enter your house and start infesting your dog in many ways. Getting stung by fleas is common for social animals, such as dogs, in places that other animals inhabit. They can come after your dog as soon as they are exposed to other animals indoors or outdoors. Wild mice are often present in your house, or rabbits, rodents, squirrels, and birds can bring fleas. These Fleas can quickly jump and transfer from one surface to another. Not only this, even a tiny single flea can begin infestation on your pet’s body.
The Life Cycle of a Flea
It is time for you to be understanding the flea life cycle. Fleas are of wide varieties; however, some of the most popular in the household are the dog fleas and Ctenocephalides canis. The lifespan of a flea is quite short, which starts from egg formation to larva, then to flea pupae, and finally to adult flea.
The development of a flea depends on the availability of a host. When the flea has a ground for hatching her eggs, this process of an infestation can last upto a year. An average flea lays eggs upto 1500-2000. Female fleas lay eggs on the host and hatch them for approximately 10-12 days. After this, the larvae start to grow by consuming their skin, the dead skin of the host, and flea waste. This larva stage can last from 24-200 days, depending on the weather and situation.
Soon, larvae begin to create a cocoon around themselves for 10-15 days. An adult flea breaks out of the cocoon at the later stage of the flea’s life cycle.
From the colorless larvae to reddish-brown, fleas develop with long legs. Interestingly, as soon as these fleas grow, it searches for a new host for infestation. These adult fleas feed on blood as their meal.
Flea Treatment for Dogs
You must take care of the flea issue as soon as you find evidence of flea biting dog. After knowing the life cycle of a flea you have to understand that these creatures multiply very fast, they are extremely dangerous. So. let us see some of the best flea treatment for dogs.
Using Flea Shampoo Composed of Rosemary, Eucalyptus, or Citrus oil
When you are looking for remedies and treatment for removing fleas from your pets at home itself, go for shampoos made from rosemary, eucalyptus or citrus oil. All three ingredients are quite effective in treating flea-related problems. Use them at least once a week to prevent further flea infestation on dogs.
Using Flea Comb for Dogs
You can easily remove eggs and adult fleas with the help of combs for flea removal. Dip the comb into the dishwasher or flea shampoo and slide it through your pet’s fur.
How to Kill Fleas on Dogs?
This question is quite simple. Recognize the flea’s shape, size, and appearance and kill them using by lighting a matchstick as soon as you find them on any surface. Do not try to kill them by crushing them, as they can jump off very fast. After combining, dunk the comb into a hot water and soapy solution.
How To Get Rid Of Fleas On Dogs?
- Give a quick bath to wash the fur of your dog using shampoo composed of rosemary, Eucalyptus, or citrus oil to remove fleas. As adult fleas are found on the uppermost layer of fur, they can be adequately removed.
- At the time of bathing, remember to begin washing from head to toe. Wet your pet’s sensitive regions like eyes, ears, and rectum. Flea move from the wet to the dry region to protect themselves and lather up after 15 minutes. Rinse the lather to remove all the dead fleas.
- Use apple cider vinegar as a natural flea spray for dogs after your fur buddy has taken a bath. Apple cider vinegar for fleas is a natural flea preventive measure. Mix the Apple cider vinegar and water in equal quantities to spray the solution throughout your dog’s body. Spray the same solution whenever you see the flea on your dog’s body.
- Lemon Juice- If you don’t have or don’t like the above-mentioned ingredients, then you can use lemon juice. Regularly apply the lemon juice on your pet’s hairs or furs by dipping the comb into the juice. Lemon juice does not kill the fleas; instead, it keeps them fleas away.
- Clean all the bedding, carpets, and rugs of your house in warm water. Repeat cleaning them unless they get rid of all the fleas. Use a vacuum cleaner for carpets, corners of the room, and the floor.
- Use diatomaceous earth on infested surfaces to kill the flea naturally. Sprinkle the diatomaceous earth powder on the ground and the entire surface to remove the flea from infested areas. Use organic diatomaceous powder once a week to prevent flea infestation.
- Use cedar chips in your lawn to prevent that space from flea breeding after knowing how do dogs get fleas.
- Remove all the debris, dried grass, and broken branches that could provide moisture and shade for flea thriving.
- If your dog has the habit of getting in contact with fleas, comb their furs or hairs weekly.
- Use over-the-counter flea repellent for dogs or prescription products if your dog has fleas.
- Visit the Veterinary Doctor- You must visit the vet soon if your dog shows any signs of laziness, pale teeth, or weight loss. Your vet will recommend flea medicine for dogs.
What About Essential Oils for Fleas on Dogs?
Essential oils for dogs are far safer than most toxic creams, topical treatments, and repellents provided on the market. The long-term effect of toxic measures can hamper your dogs’ health mentally and physically. Essential oils designed especially for dogs are pet-friendly when used in the right quantities. They have multiple benefits, like providing antiseptic properties like healing flea and tick bites. They also soothe the itchiness of irritated skin.
However, one should be cautious before choosing an essential oil. All essential oils are not beneficial for dogs. Oils containing Coconut, Aloe Vera, Avocado, Sunflower, Sweet Almond, Castor, and Jojoba are the essential oils safe for dogs and have proved to be healthy. Moreover, oils such as Cedarwood, Lavender, Geranium, Lemongrass, and Eucalyptus are the best flea repellent types.
Now, the list below contains essential oils bad for dogs that can not be used.
- Pennyroyal
- Cinnamon
- Citrus
- Clove
- Wintergreen
- Yarrow
- Garlic
- Peppermint Oil
- Pennyroyal
- Pine
- Sweet Birch
- Tea Tree Oil
- Ylang Ylang
- Anise
- Thyme
- Juniper
The easiest way to use the essential oils for fleas on dogs is to apply them directly to their bodies. However, when your dog is reluctant for the process, make a spray for fleas using the oil. Mix the essential oil with water and fill it in a spray bottle. Spray at least twice a week.
Conclusion
Protecting your loyal companion from the flea is the most important for their grooming. Barring dogs from moving outside the house or preventing them from socializing can not be a solution to the flea problem. We can not change the inherent characteristics of an animal. Many times, dogs themselves show signs of flea bites, but we have to keep a regular check. Flea bites on dogs can cause itchiness, hair loss, and redness on the body. With time, this can cause anemia and tapeworm in your pet’s body. Using toxic chemicals on your dogs can be unhealthy, expensive, and harmful. Therefore we recommend you follow the organic, safe, and healthy tips mentioned above for you to know how to kill fleas on dogs and how to prevent the flea infestation.