subject: Dealing with Dog Fleas [print this page] Dealing with Dog Fleas Dealing with Dog Fleas
Dog fleas are an unfortunate but all too common problem that every dog owner must face at least once in his or her life. Dog fleas not only cause dog skin allergies and force your pet to itch and scratch, but they also plague an entire household and can wreak havoc on the other human and animal inhabitants as well!
The best way to deal with dog fleas is to practice dog flea prevention. Dog fleas, as mentioned above, will result in a number of health issues for your dog, including possible worms and dog skin problems that will need immediate attention. If your dog has fleas, this is what you can do to eliminate and prevent them:
1) Dog Flea Shampoo: If you suspect you dog has fleas, break out the medicated dog flea shampoo and get scrubbing! Rinse, dry, and then vacuum up your entire household from top to bottom. Dispose of the vacuum bag or empty the canister outside so that there is no risk of any dog fleas getting back into your home.
TIP: You can choose to use a flea bomb that you can buy in pet stores, but you can make your very own flea repellent using natural oils and herbs.
2) Medication: The best way to prevent any future outbreak of fleas is to medicate your dog so that they are able to properly ward off not only fleas, but ticks, mites, heartworms, and other pesky parasites that may choose to acquaint themselves with your pet. You can speak to your veterinarian about the right sort to medication for your dog, as well as what the dose should be (it varies depending on weight).
3) Cut your Grass: If the dog fleas are inside the house, there's a good chance that they are on the outside as well. Make sure that the grass is cut short (fleas love tall grass) and get rid of any piled up yard material, such as leaf piles, as fleas thrive in dark, moist areas.
TIP: You can throw down some natural flea repellent items such as cedar chips, or you can try to use "Flea Away" throughout your entire yard.
4) Avoid Flea Collars: Flea collars are the most thought of choice of defense against dog fleas, but let's be honest here; the dog flea collar is only around the neck, which means only the immediate neck area is being treated or fleas. Not only that, but the chemicals in the flea collar are hazardous and can rub off on absolutely anything and everything. Choose to use natural herbal concoctions and dab a nylon collar in that if you choose to use a flea collar. Avoid the unnecessary chemicals at all costs.
