How to quickly remove fleas from a dog with home remedies and medications

What to do if you find fleas

If you find even one flea on your dog, you need to act as follows.

Life cycle of fleas

Do not delay treatment - fleas multiply at high speed. It will only take a few days for the pet to stop sleeping and eating, and for the insects to penetrate into all surrounding objects. It will be much more difficult to get them out of there than with a dog. In addition, in this case, there remains a high risk of re-invasion.
Take a comprehensive approach to eliminating parasites. In addition to the pet, you will have to treat the room in which he lives (in the case of the street, this is an enclosure, a booth, everything that is in them). To ensure that you get rid of bloodsuckers, you will need to use not only folk, but also industrial pest control products.
The drug for treating your four-legged friend must be selected in accordance with its characteristics, for example, age, attitude to washing, and state of health. Ideally, you should consult a veterinarian, but advice from people who have already encountered such a situation and successfully overcome it is also acceptable.
During the period of disinfestation measures, the dog must be in “quarantine” - it is worth limiting it from free walking and communication with unfamiliar relatives.

Preventive actions

How to protect your home, pet and yourself from bloodsuckers? To reduce the risk of infection with blood-sucking parasites, dog owners should:

keep your home clean;
Regularly clean, disinfect and replace your dog’s bed;
wash the booth and enclosure;
floors, upholstered furniture, floor coverings must be vacuumed at least 2-3 times a week;
examine dogs after a walk, mating, visiting a veterinarian, or participating in an exhibition;
try to protect your pet from contact with other animals during a walk;
walk dogs in strictly designated areas;
use flea collars;
At least twice a year, carry out preventive treatment of the dog with flea drops.

Industrial means for removing fleas

At the moment, there is a huge range of products that can be used to remove fleas from a dog. However, for all their effectiveness, each of them has only a temporary effect, because these parasites are widespread everywhere. As soon as the treatment ends, the flea may appear again. Therefore, you need to know what you can do to prevent an invasion, how to quickly get rid of insects, and how to maintain the result in the future.

Shampoos

Washing the dog

Shampoos help remove fleas from dogs only if there are a minimum number of them; as the insects multiply, this type of treatment completely loses its effectiveness. Products containing insecticides, such as permethrin, help get rid of parasites. However, this component can cause an allergic reaction, the signs of which are: excessive salivation and vomiting.

There are also products for disinfestation of dogs with natural ingredients. Plant extracts have an antipruritic, anti-inflammatory, healing effect, and keep your pet's hair in a healthy condition. After applying flea shampoo to the dog, carefully distribute it over the body (avoiding contact with the eyes, nose and mouth), leave for a while (according to the instructions), and rinse. After drying, it is recommended to comb the dog with a fine-toothed comb.

Among the most popular shampoos for fleas on dogs are: Mr. Bruno, Bars, Phytoelite.

Flea shampoo Mr. Bruno

Shampoo Bars for fleas

Shampoo Phytoelite for fleas

Drops

Applying flea drops

You can quickly get rid of blood-sucking parasites from your four-legged friend at home using drops. This option is more effective than the previous one, and therefore enjoys deserved popularity. The effect of the contents of the bottle lasts for about a month (provided that the instructions are followed).

The drops are applied to the dog’s skin in a place that is inaccessible to licking (most often the scruff of the neck). The active ingredient is toxic to bloodsuckers; it penetrates the animal's epidermis and bloodstream, resulting in the elimination of insects. However, before removing fleas from a dog with drops, you need to consult a veterinarian, since the active ingredients have side effects and contraindications.

Among the drops we can note: Bars Forte, Celandine, Barrier, Frontline.

Bars Forte

Celandine

Collar

Using a collar to remove fleas from a dog, although convenient, presents certain difficulties.
This method is not suitable for puppy-aged pets, expecting dogs or nursing dogs, since the insecticides with which the collar is impregnated can have a negative effect on the puppies' body. Collars containing natural substances, as well as ultrasonic ones, are safer. At the same time, the latter option is too expensive, and natural ingredients are not effective against heavy flea infestations. Another drawback of flea collars is that poisonous compounds are distributed unevenly throughout the body. In addition, the product is not recommended to be used simultaneously with other methods.

Sprays

Flea spray for dogs

You can remove fleas from your dog using a spray. This form of processing has gained popularity due to its ease. It is enough to apply the product to the fur in the pet’s neck area, after which the parasites will remain on the animal for at least 3-4 weeks.

The disadvantage of using a spray to combat fleas is the high content of toxic substances in the composition. The contraindications are the same as for the collar. There is also a possibility of licking off the drug if it gets on other parts of the body.

Frontline is considered the most effective tool in this group; Bars and Beafar aerosols are no less popular among dog breeders.

Powder

An insecticidal remedy for fleas on dogs in powder form has not found significant distribution among dog breeders. This is due to the need to rub the product with your hands into the skin and hair of the animal. In addition, the use of this processing method increases the risk of poisoning. Powders are not used when it comes to puppies, pregnant dogs, lactating dogs and weakened ones.

Among the powdered preparations we can highlight: Sanal, Insectal.

Pills

The tablet form of flea control also did not catch on among dog owners. Chewable tablets slightly reduce the number of parasites, but do not remove them completely. In addition, this method of disinsection is dangerous due to poisoning and allergies. Treatment consists of adding the drug to the animal’s feed.

Veterinary pharmacies offer drugs such as Comforts, Capstar.

Chemical pest control agents

If traditional methods do not help or the dog has developed an allergy, you can purchase special industrial preparations aimed at fighting fleas.

Shampoos

Shampoos have a short-term effect, so they are recommended to be used as a preventive method. There are shampoos based on natural ingredients and insecticides. The latter should be used carefully - they can cause allergies. The most famous brands: Beaphar, Fitoelita, Celandine.

Drops

It is considered the most popular and easiest to use product. The number of drops depends on the weight of the dog. On average, the drug lasts 3–5 weeks, then you need to apply the drops again to the withers. The most popular drops: Frontline spot, Celandine.

Sprays and aerosols

Such formulations are very effective, but there may be problems with their use. When using them, you need to try not to point the stream at the face, then make sure that the dog does not lick itself for at least 6 hours. Popular means: Stronghold, Frontline, Bars.

Anti-flea collars

The main advantage is that the effect of the collar can last up to 9 months. It is recommended to put it on your pet at the very beginning of spring. However, if fleas appear, it will not be possible to cure the animal with just a collar. It should not be used on puppies or pregnant dogs. Popular options: HartZ, Beaphar.

Powder

Considered the cheapest option. Powders are manufactured in veterinary pharmacies to order, taking into account the weight of the dog. The main disadvantage is the inconvenience and duration of use.

Pills

Tablets are a fairly common method for controlling fleas. However, it should be noted that this method is not effective enough - it is necessary to combine it with other drugs. In addition, the disadvantages of tablets include the fact that in some cases they can cause allergies. The most popular tablets are Comforts, Capstar.

Folk remedies for fleas on dogs

An alternative to industrial drugs is to remove fleas from dogs using folk remedies. They are generally effective if insects are present in small numbers. However, as a preventive and auxiliary remedy, folk methods are irreplaceable.

Flea head under a microscope

Herbs. The most popular and effective plants that can repel fleas are: wormwood, tansy, eucalyptus, hellebore. The last option is sold in pharmacies and is the most powerful remedy; its use requires caution, since exceeding the recommended dose threatens severe intoxication of the animal’s body. Decoctions or infusions are prepared from the plants and used to bathe the dog. Using herbs is an excellent and safe way to get rid of fleas in puppies.
Laundry soap. To rid your pet of blood-sucking insects, you need to make a solution from laundry soap. To do this, eucalyptus leaves are boiled in a separate container in advance. After cooling, add a little cedar (fir, pine, tea tree) oil and grated soap. The resulting liquid is used to wash the dog. It can be stored at room temperature.
Garlic. Fleas cannot stand the smell of garlic, but during treatment you need to carefully monitor your pet - for dogs, this plant poses a danger (even death) if ingested. To prepare a medicinal solution, grind 2-3 cloves, add 200 ml of water, and leave overnight. The resulting liquid can be applied only to those areas of the body that the animal cannot lick.
Onion. It works the same way as garlic. To treat a pet, finely chop the head, fill it with water, and add soap (preferably tar or laundry soap). After stirring, treat the animal’s fur with the solution.
Apple vinegar. To get rid of bloodsuckers, generously moisten the dog’s body with an aqueous solution of apple cider vinegar and leave for 60 minutes, then rinse off and comb the hair well. To prepare, you will need one part vinegar and three parts water.
Essential oils. Fleas are afraid of any strong odors, especially citrus, eucalyptus, pine, and tea tree esters. Oils are recommended for direct application to the dog's coat or adding to bathing water.

Traditional methods

They were mentioned a little earlier, as they are applicable for newborn babies. Traditional methods are based on the use of herbs. That is why they are so harmless for newly born puppies.

If the mother and offspring are in an enclosure or in a room separate from human habitation, then it would be good to place bunches of herbs such as wormwood, lavender, and bugs around the bed. They have a pungent odor that will repel nasty insects. For the convenience of animals, the bunches can be replaced with powder from the same plants. Herbs are safe even for babies, who may accidentally get the herb inside.

If animals live in the house, then the litter and the surrounding area should be treated with water with the addition of a couple of drops of essential oil of the same lavender, lemon, menthol or eucalyptus. This method also has a deodorizing and antimicrobial effect.

Do not forget about baths using herbs that have a pungent and repellent odor.

How to remove fleas from puppies

It is more difficult to remove fleas from dogs of puppy age than from adults, since most of the products on the market are indicated for six months. Only a few drugs are approved for use:

from 1.5 months - Bars and Stronghold in spray form, Celandine and Phytoelite shampoos;
from 2 months – Celandine and Frontline in the form of drops, Beafar collar.

Before using these medications, you need to study the instructions to find out how to properly kill fleas and prevent poisoning of the puppy.

Note: the best option for puppies would be to use folk methods and remedies: tar soap, wormwood.

Is there a flea vaccination?

Flea spray for dogs

Many owners would like to have their pet vaccinated against fleas. As such, there is no flea vaccine. However, grafting is often referred to as insecticide injection. The injection acts like drops, but the effect can last up to six months. The mechanism of action of the vaccination is as follows: when bitten by an insect, it receives a dose of a toxic substance that causes a disturbance in the parasite’s nervous system, and then its death.

The positive aspects of flea injections for dogs include the simplicity of the method. To protect your pet from bloodsuckers, only a single injection is required. In addition, the possibility of the drug entering the animal’s gastrointestinal tract is completely eliminated, which means there is no risk of poisoning. An additional advantage is that the product is available in different versions, providing for the treatment of dogs of different ages and colors.

Not all dogs can receive flea injections. Injections are contraindicated for puppies under 2 months of age, weak pets, and people with allergies. You cannot vaccinate yourself - this must be done by a veterinarian after a preliminary examination of the dog. The most commonly used anti-flea vaccinations are: Lufenuron, Eprimek, Ivermectin.

Signs and symptoms

The presence of fleas in an animal can be determined by the main symptom - scabies in different parts of the body. It is the different localization of itching that indicates the appearance of parasites, because scabies only behind the ear can be characteristic of mites, and the blocks attack from all sides. To accurately determine their presence, you should run your hand against the fur and look at the skin. On the surface you can see crumbs of different colors - eggs, flea excrement.

Another sign is an allergic reaction, which occurs in every fourth puppy. Main symptoms:

dermatitis;
the appearance of scabs on the skin;
baldness in the abdomen and groin area.

Parasite bites provoke severe inflammation. As a result of severe itching, dogs themselves scratch the skin, increasing the likelihood of contracting dangerous diseases. If severe scabies appears, the pet tries to bite itself. If there are traces of parasites, you need to immediately treat the puppy for fleas and perform preventive maintenance from time to time.

Treating the area where the dog lives

To remove fleas from a dog, it is not enough to treat only the pet. The insects living next to it will return to the “host” as soon as the drug expires. Therefore, it is necessary to simultaneously carry out a thorough disinfestation of the premises (apartment, house, booth) in which the pet lives.

Treating your apartment for dog fleas

There are several ways to disinfect an apartment. You can use one, the most suitable one, or you can use several at once.

What do fleas look like on a dog?

Thermal impact. If the temperature outside is sub-zero, it is enough to take the things in which fleas have settled outside for a few hours outside. Insects can also be killed by exposing them to boiling water (by dousing or boiling them).
Chemical attack. Products such as Karbofos, Reid, Fenaxin and the like are used to treat floors, walls, corners, utility rooms, and large interior items (for example, upholstered furniture). You can use insecticidal preparations in the form of a spray or powder that were used to treat the dog. It is important that there is not a single untreated corner left, otherwise the processing will have to start all over again.
Traditional methods. Among the folk methods for treating an apartment from dog fleas, the same means are used as for disinsection of a pet. These are: wormwood, kerosene, pine sawdust and others. Only kerosene treatment leads to the death of insects; other methods can be used as a complement to the chemical option. Infusions and decoctions are prepared from the plants, which are used to wipe all surfaces in the house, preferably several times a day. As an option, spread fresh wormwood around the apartment (along the baseboard, in corners, under furniture), and change it as it dries for a month (minimum).
The professional way. The services of special services for exterminating fleas indoors are sought in difficult situations, when other methods are ineffective. The essence of professional treatment is the artificial creation of fine vapor particles containing an insecticide. These particles settle on surfaces, penetrating deep into porous materials, causing the death of insects.

Processing the dog house

When removing fleas from a dog, you also need to put things in order in the kennel. To destroy insects, the same methods and preparations are used as in the apartment. The litter must be burned, and to prevent the return of bloodsuckers, branches of wormwood or tansy should be laid out inside and around the booth (they should be periodically replaced with fresh ones).

Causes of flea infestation

It is impossible to completely and forever protect a dog from parasites, because there are incredibly many possibilities for infection with them. Whether on the street or in the apartment, there are no safe places. Fleas can be found anywhere, even in the most unexpected places. But we can identify the main reasons for the appearance of “vampires” in animals:

Any walks in nature or even around the city;
Contact with other animals;
Larvae.

In the first case, it is obvious that hungry insects are patiently waiting for victims. They have no preference in choosing where to ambush. Grass, foliage, and soil will do. They can be found on the playground, on sidewalks and on public transport. They are everywhere. And there is a simple explanation for this: an animal overpopulated with fleas throws off some of the parasites.

But the risk of having uncomfortable “guests” is even higher - communication between pets. A dog easily picks up fleas, even if it is half a meter away from an infected animal. There is also a risk when interacting with a completely domestic animal.

Larvae, like fleas themselves, can be everywhere. But they are the easiest to bring into a person’s house. On shoes or clothes along with dirt and stuck leaves.

Fleas are tenacious creatures. It is not difficult for them to move freely from one place to another in search of food. They can get into the house through open windows and doors, and even in women's handbags or grocery bags.

IMPORTANT: Fleas are often confused with lice. They are easy to distinguish: the body of lice is usually large and flat, and the legs are short. Fleas are brown in color and lice are grayish-white. The latter are less common, mainly in unkempt pets and stray dogs.

Flea classification

It is difficult for a non-specialist to distinguish one type of flea from another, because to the eye they look the same. But the flea classifier includes many families and species of these insects.

Most often, it is generally accepted to separate fleas according to their choice of prey: human, cat, rat, etc. There is also Ctenocephalidis Canis - this is the so-called dog flea. In fact, not only this species, but also many other species parasitize the dog.

The human flea feeds on the blood of both humans and their domestic animals. They are saturated with blood in 20 minutes, and then digest it for another six hours.

IMPORTANT: Subcutaneous fleas are a myth. There are many parasites that live under the skin, but fleas are not one of them. Duck mites are also mistakenly mistaken for fleas.

The cat flea also parasitizes other animals and humans.
A dog flea is similar to a cat flea, but lives a little less (six months to one and a half years). These insects are sources of flatworms and plague.
More dangerous than the previous ones is the rat flea. She is a carrier of rat and mouse tapeworm.
The black flea, unlike, for example, the dog flea, reproduces very quickly: the time from being in the larval stage to becoming an adult is barely four days.
There are grass fleas that are mistaken for other species of fleas. Unlike the others, the grass one has wings, albeit barely noticeable. It is active from mid-spring to mid-summer, but there are exceptions. If you don't get rid of it in time, it can bother you all year round.

IMPORTANT: Grass fleas often inhabit vegetable gardens and eat plants. But this does not mean that they are harmless to humans and animals.

Another special species is the bed flea. Already from the name it is clear where it lives.

Read Causes of hematobartonellosis in dogs: signs and methods of treatment

How fleas reproduce on dogs

The peculiarity of their reproduction is that in cold weather they prefer not to mate. The ideal temperature for this is 18-25 degrees. Mating itself takes several hours, so it does not happen on the dog’s body, but somewhere in a secluded corner.

The life cycle of these bloodsuckers includes four stages:

Egg. The female lays them little by little: only 4-8 eggs at a time. Eggs rarely remain on the pet itself; they usually fall to the floor due to their non-stickiness.
Larva. The dog flea hatches after 8-14 days and begins to feed on the excrement of adults. She needs excrement because it contains undigested blood. Their diet also includes other waste, including rotted grass.
Doll. After two molts, the pupa weaves a cocoon, which subsequently sticks to it. The flea remains in this stage until a victim appears nearby.
Imago. Adult stage. Their lifespan greatly depends on the conditions in which they live. At low temperatures they live longer.

Safety rules for processing

Since killing fleas on dogs and indoors involves the use of highly toxic chemicals, precautions must be taken.

Do not use drugs and products that have expired;
carefully read the instructions for using a particular product, especially when it comes to treating puppies, weakened and pregnant animals;
if it is not possible to contact a specialist, when choosing a drug, pay attention to the dosages indicated in the instructions, the characteristics of the animal’s age, and recommendations for further observation;
if your pet becomes ill during the procedure, you need to urgently take him to the clinic or call a specialist at home;
Before you start disinfesting the premises with chemicals, you need to remove all household members, including pets;
Processing should be carried out using rubber gloves and a respirator (or medical mask);
After the disinfestation is completed, you must leave the apartment, wash your face and wash your hands.

You can return to the treated room after the period specified in the instructions for the product used.

Flea prevention

It is almost impossible to prevent fleas from appearing on your dog, but you can significantly reduce the likelihood of parasite infection. To do this, you need to follow a number of recommendations:

when going for a walk, wear a flea collar;
use medications approved for prophylaxis (for example, injections);
regularly treat the place where the pet lives, its bedding, with appropriate pest control agents;
avoid contact between your pet and unfamiliar relatives;
keep the dog clean, monitor the condition of the coat;
do not walk in places known to be inhabited by fleas (basements, abandoned areas).

What means to remove fleas from a dog is up to each owner to decide according to his or her capabilities. The main thing is to notice the problem in a timely manner and prevent the proliferation of insects.

Features of treatment for puppies

Treatment of puppies has its own characteristics that the dog owner needs to know in order to choose the right remedy.

How dangerous are flea bites for a puppy?

For small puppies, fleas are much more dangerous than for adult animals. The main problem is that the puppies' immunity is not fully formed, which is why they become practically defenseless against infectious agents that can enter the bloodstream when bitten by a parasite.

Due to their very delicate skin, allergic reactions in puppies may be more severe.

Signs of a parasite

The main sign of fleas in a puppy is constant itching, falling out fur, and red spots on the skin.

But in order to accurately determine the presence of parasites, you need to carefully examine your pet - in puppies, fleas usually settle near the ears, because that is where the skin is the thinnest.

How to protect babies under 1 month from bloodsuckers?

Until the age of one month, there are no chemical means to protect against fleas, but you can use folk remedies. You can bathe your baby in a bath with tansy or mint - water procedures should last at least 15 minutes.

After this, comb the puppy to remove dead parasites.

Fleas on a 1 month old puppy

At this age, it is also undesirable to use any chemicals. It is better to wash the puppy in a bath with the addition of laundry or tar soap - it will repel parasites.

To get rid of fleas, you must first wet the fur, apply a soap solution for 15 minutes, and then rinse.

Fleas on a 2 month old puppy

At this age, the puppy’s immunity becomes stronger, so more powerful remedies can be used. Best to use:

special shampoos based on natural ingredients;
collars based on essential oils.

You can also use sprays and drops, but only if there is only one pet in the house - when there are several puppies in the litter, these products can be dangerous.

Fleas on a 3 month old puppy

At this age, various insecticidal drugs can already be used. Without fear, you can use shampoos, drops, sprays, choosing a product according to your age.

How to remove fleas from older puppies

For dogs older than six months, you can use all the drugs presented at the veterinary market: shampoos, sprays, drops, tablets.

When choosing, be guided by the tendency to develop allergies, general condition, and the severity of flea infestation. If there are a lot of parasites, you should first wash the puppy with shampoo and then treat it with drops.