Does Your Dog Have Fleas?
Does your dog love being outside? When he hears the word “walk”, does he bounce around in pure joy? If so, there’s a chance your dog is making new friends during his outdoor adventures. These friends are tiny and annoying – and commonly referred to as fleas. Fleas can cause numerous problems for a dog. Therefore, it is important that we recognize signs of fleas and understand treatment options when our fur pets are affected.
What are the signs of fleas?
When there is a major infestation of fleas, signs are obvious. You can actually spot them moving on and off your pet’s body. When the infestation of fleas is smaller, the signs can be more subtle. You may notice your dog acting restless. For example, they may constantly scratch, lick, and chew more than normal in certain areas of the body. Another potential symptom is excessive shaking of the head or scratching of the ears. This scratching can progressively lead to hot spots and hair loss in areas where fleas are nesting.
What can you do?
The first step would be to give your dog a flea bath. Be careful to choose a shampoo carefully, some contain insecticides. Start shampooing at your dog’s neck and work throughout the entire body. Let the solution stand for 5-10 minutes before rinsing. Next, go through with a flea comb and remove any fleas present. Kill any flea you find as fast as you can. Finally, quarantine your infected pet. If you have other pets, you are going to want to keep them separated for the time being.
You will then want to treat your home. Begin by throwing all your pet’s bedding into the laundry. Next, you may want to consider an insect growth regulator spray. This product can get deep into the carpet to target any flea larvae that may be growing. Finally, be sure to vacuum thoroughly. A reasonable accessory to consider is a flea collar for your vacuum. This will make sure fleas die quickly upon being sucked up by your vacuum. Treating your home should help prevent another flea attack from occurring quickly.
Fleas are tiny, but present a large problem for dogs. They live outdoors where your pets love to play and strike when they get the chance. An infestation can lead to days filled with endless scratching and chewing – sometimes until hot spots form. If you see some of the telltale signs of fleas, be sure to check your pet’s body. If you do find some, a flea bath and combing can help resolve your pet’s problems. Afterwards, be sure to treat your house to prevent a relapse!