subject: How to Detect If Your Pet Has Fleas [print this page] How to Detect If Your Pet Has Fleas How to Detect If Your Pet Has Fleas
Getting rid of fleas is really a tough job. If you are a pet owner you are probably tired of fighting this unwanted problem. Many pet owners find it even harder to do away with fleas because they fail to detect fleas initially. If you are wondering how to know whether your pet has fleas here are a few simple tips for you.
Look Closely:
First of all take a close look at your dog. Check the areas around your dog's ears, neck, legs, at the base of the dog's hair as well as the base of its tail. These areas need special attention since fleas concentrate on these areas. Fleas are very small in size and black in color. These quick-moving insects are not easy to detect. But if you observe closely you can see them. You can also look for flea dirt on the floor.
Use Flea Comb:
Take a damp paper and place it on the floor. Now make your pet stand on top of the damp towel. Then you should comb your pet with a flea comb. Notice very carefully. If you see that small specks of black are turning red be sure that your pet has fleas.
Once you detect fleas it is time to get rid of them. But doing away with fleas is very difficult. In order to do that you need to understand the flea life cycle and attack fleas on each and every stage of their life cycle.
Therefore the best thing to do is to prevent fleas with natural remedies. More and more people are opting for natural flea control for pets since they have understood the harmful effects of the chemicals usually used to kill fleas. The synthetic products are not only harmful for you and your pet but also for the environment.
Natural methods should replace chemical treatments. Staying natural is the best option. Keep your pet stay healthy with a natural food diet. If your pet is healthy fleas will be discouraged to attack it. Regular bathing of your pet is absolutely necessary if you want fleas to stay away. Routine check up of your pet is also important. Visit the vet at regular intervals. There are exercises especially designed for your pet. You just need to follow them on a daily basis.
Fleas can be prevented for both indoor and outdoor pets. Let's have a look at how you can do it.
For Indoor Pets:
Thoroughly clean your pet at least once in a week. Cleaning your home on a weekly basis is also necessary. There are many natural flea control shampoos available in the market. Use any of those shampoos to bathe your pet. Remember to vacuum and clean the floors, especially the area where your pet sleeps.
You need to wash your pet's bed in soapy hot water. You can mix lavender oil to it as essential oils are good as natural flea repellent. Other measures you should use include steam cleaning your carpet. Make sure your house is not damp.
For Outdoor Pets:
You can follow the same advice for outdoor pets. However you just need to go for a weekly lawn cleaning schedule. Your lawn should get enough exposure to sunlight so that the heat can kill flea larvae. Also water your lawn occasionally. Don't try to get rid of ants in your lawn because they eat flea larvae.
