Fleas are a nightmare for pet owners because they can cause severe diseases like anemia or tapeworms in dogs. That’s why no pet parent can afford to have their dog affected by such small wingless bloodsucking insects spoiling their health and even sometimes putting their stake at survival. In case your dog gets affected, the first thing to look out for is how to get rid of fleas on dogs using natural solutions without damaging the skin of the animal.
To help you out, we have crafted a detailed guide citing home remedies and veterinarian-approved solutions to get the fleas out of your pet’s coat or the environment. You can use the most effective solution, based on the symptoms, not on your gut feeling, because the health of your pet is important.
What is a Flea?
A flea is a small wingless bloodsucking insect that has a strong, laterally compressed body and multiple legs, making it leap and feed on warm-blooded mammals and birds. It bites humans, cats, and dogs more than others because of the sweet, warm blood running through their veins.
It can cause itching and irritation by affecting the skin of pets, and more dangerously, it can transmit fatal diseases to the affected ones. If you’re wondering how to get rid of fleas on dogs, it’s important to take proactive steps. That’s why you should always make sure to keep your homes free from such insects by using pest control services and give a healthy life to your pets.
Why You Must Learn to Get Rid of Fleas to Protect Their Health?
Flea infestations are not just ordinary infections, making your pet annoyed all the time and scratching the fur due to itching caused by bites of fleas on the skin. It can turn from a normal skin allergy to serious diseases like anemia and bacterial infections, causing death, especially in small puppies.
Don’t take it for granted and take quick action like flea control in case your dog is affected with flea infestations to maintain a healthy home environment, resulting in a longer life span for the animals and pets.
Here are some of the possible issues it can cause to your dog’s health and comfort if left untreated for a longer time.
- Skin Infection
- Flea Allergy Dermatitis
- Tapeworms
- Anemia
- Bacterial Infections
How to Check for Fleas on Dogs Before Starting Treatment?
You may be thinking that I know how much fleas can be fatal for my dog but give me the damn hack to find out whether my pet is affected by it or not. Don’t worry, because we have brought a 3-step, easy-to-follow strategy for you to determine whether you need natural flea treatments for dogs or not.
Examine Your Pet
Start examining the coat of your dog, especially the neck, back and legs, to find signs of redness or inflammation, as well as bumps on the skin. After that, move on to see the base of the tail, hind legs, and groin to identify itching signs on the skin.
The most alarming thing to make you realise instantly that your dog is getting bitten by fleas is the self-biting of the dog. So intense that it causes self-harm to the pet, and makes you set out to hunt for natural flea repellents for pets.
Another common and easy to find trace of fleas on dogs is waving your hand through the fur and identifying the hair loss patches, because it is the most common symptom.
Check for Visible Evidence
Most pet parents always miss out on visible evidence present in front of them, like actual fleas crawling in their dog’s or cat’s fur. These are usually reddish brown in colour and are easily visible on white fur.
Another common symptom is restlessness, disturbed sleep patterns, lethargy, muscle loss, and pale gums. Usually, there are dark spots on the bedding or floor of the pet space or the whole home where the pet walks, causing insects like fleas to get on the dog.
Last but not least, if there are tiny dark specks in the fur of the pet, then it is obvious that you need hacks to do natural flea prevention for pets and start using safe flea solutions for dogs..
Search Your Home
It is not necessary that fleas grow by laying eggs in the fur of your pet. Fleas can find hosts in the carpets, bedding, or furniture of your home as well. That’s why searching and cleaning the entire living space by getting professional help in pest control can be a good decision to stop further infestations in your dogs.
Upon looking minutely, you can easily find the traces of fleas resting on your pillow cover or carpets. So, to keep fleas away from dogs, ensure the cleanliness of your home.
Tools to Help You Get Rid of Fleas on Dogs Naturally
Like every professional technician, you need the right tools and training to remove fleas from your dogs and home. To help you choose the right equipment, we’ve listed the best things to have for chemical-free flea control for pets.
- A flea comb (fine-toothed)
- Natural flea shampoos
- Clean towels and bedding
- Vacuum cleaner with a disposable bag
- Washer/dryer for hot water laundry
- Natural flea repellents for pets (essential oils, herbal sprays)
A Detailed Guide on How to Get Rid of Fleas on Dogs?
After consulting with expert veterinary doctors and pet parents, we have come up with the following steps to help anyone learn how to get rid of fleas on dogs using natural remedies for dog flea treatment. Treat your pet according to the listed instructions and make their lives free from fleas.
Step 1: Isolate Your Pet and Assess
Move the dog out of the usual spaces and confine it in a limited area to minimise the spread of fleas. After that, start touching the tail, neck, and belly to find the signs of fleas.
Make sure to wear gloves while doing so to avoid getting bitten, and don’t forget to comb the fur using a flea comb to get all the fleas out if there are any.
Step 2: Bathe Your Dog
Now, apply a chemical-free flea control shampoo with natural ingredients like eucalyptus, lavender, or lemon. It helps suffocate and repel fleas without causing harsh side effects. Try to avoid chemical-based shampoo to prevent flea sores on the skin. Make sure to add a thick lather from the ears to the toes of the pet.
Let the shampoo sit in for 10-15 minutes and then rinse it. Lastly, dry the pet’s body with a clean towel and comb the fur again.
Step 3: Use Flea Medications
Now, it is time to use home remedies that are known for flea control in dogs. These can help make your pet free from infestations.
Apple Cider Vinegar: You can dilute it with water in a 1:1 ratio. Then spray it on the coat of the pet.
Cedarwood or Peppermint Oil: Dilute one of these oils with a carrier like coconut oil and spray on fleas.
Lemon Rinse: Boil a slice of lemon in water, cool it down and spray.
Pro Tip: Always do a patch test before spraying home remedy-based flea medications on dogs.
Step 4: Clean Your Home & Pet Space Thoroughly
Not all fleas live on dogs; a large chunk of them thrive in our environment as well. That’s why you should vacuum all the carpets, sofas, and wash the bedding. Don’t dispose of the vacuum bag inside your house so as not to let the fleas again into your space.
Step 5: Reassess and Repeat the Process
There are chances that the fleas can hatch again after weeks in the same spots. That’s why you should repeatedly inspect your dog and bedding. Repeat the whole process on a weekly basis to keep the fleas away from your dog.
When to Seek Veterinary Help to Get Rid of Fleas?
If the symptoms mentioned above are getting worse even after doing the treatment at your home. Then, don’t wait another minute—take action immediately. Visit a professional veterinary doctor to begin treatment with proper medications. This can help save the lives of your dogs.
Conclusion
The only mantra to keep your pets safe from insects or flea attacks is to ensure cleanliness. To ensure their health, you need to learn how to get rid of fleas on dogs. Use chemical-free natural flea treatments at home, as mentioned above. To not compromise on your pet’s health and act like a responsible pet parent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of a flea infestation as soon as possible?
You can simply inspect your dog for fleas. Then start using chemical-free flea control medications and home remedies for pets. This can help get rid of them within just a few days.
What is the best homemade flea killer?
Using home-based natural flea repellents for pets, like apple cider vinegar and peppermint oil, is very helpful. They prove to be the most effective remedy to get rid of fleas.
Do I need to treat my house if my dog has fleas?
Yes, most of the time, more fleas are residing in the home where the dog lives. They are usually more than the number of fleas present in its fur. That’s why treating your home is a must-act to perform.
