Dog Flea Treatment

If your pet dog has been constantly itching and scratching himself, then chances are that he is ridden with fleas. If so, then it is important that you start on a dog flea treatment regimen as soon as possible because flea infestation can cause several dog health problems. The life cycle of flea can be anywhere between three to four months and at any given time, your dog should have only five percent of fleas residing on him. This automatically translates to mean that there is a strong possibility that your house and yard have been infested by fleas. It is important that you rid not only your dog of fleas but also your house to ensure that there is no repeated occurrence of flea infestation. Fleas can cause a skin disease called Flea Allergic Dermatitis (FAD) in dogs which can be very tough on your pet.

Many dog owners ask the question, does my dog have fleas? There are many symptoms of fleas on dogs. These are excessive scratching, biting their rear, tail end or thighs, loss of hair, lesions on skin, red bumps, and evidence in the form of flea dirt. Flea dirt is the fecal matter of flea which is tiny and black in color. If you want to be sure of whether or not the matter is flea dirt, just add a drop of water to it, and then smear it on a paper towel. If the residue is red in color, then your dog has dog fleas and needs dog flea treatment.

Best Dog Flea Treatment

Recent studies have shown that using chemicals for flea control for dogs can have severe side effects and therefore it is suggested to stick to natural flea remedies for dog flea treatment. But in some cases it becomes extremely essential to use drugs and chemicals to treat one's dog. One of the best methods to apply though is to check your dog for fleas every day. For this you can use a flea comb. Applying petroleum jelly to the comb will make it easier to pick out fleas as the fleas will stick to the petroleum jelly. Also use a cotton ball dipped in alcohol and dab it on your pet's body before combing him. Before you start combing, place your pet over a light colored cloth so that you can see the fleas as they fall.

Proper dog grooming is extremely important in order to get rid of fleas on dogs. Therefore, ensure that you bathe your dog on a weekly basis if he is infested with fleas. This is a good dog flea treatment method. Use a gentle shampoo that contains pyrethrin, or citrus oil. You can also use apple cider vinegar as fleas are repelled by the taste and smell of the vinegar. Another natural dog flea treatment method is to use lavender, lemongrass, peppermint, or citronella as all of these repel fleas. Use the oils all over the dog's body. This is a safe and easy method of dog flea treatment. If none of these methods work, then it may become essential for you to consult a vet who will prescribe medication for your dog.

One of the best flea treatment for dogs is to give him dietary supplements that repel fleas and bugs. Vitamin B complex capsules once a day for small dogs and twice a day for big dogs work very well. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acid supplements also do the trick. Another great method to learn on how to get rid of fleas on dogs is to add garlic to the pet food as the taste and smell of garlic repels fleas. Most vets suggest that you add a crushed clove of garlic every 30 pounds. Another option would be to add safflower oil or seaweed. But before you make any dietary changes to your dog's food, always consult a vet.

Once you ensure that your methods of flea treatment have worked, it is important that you work on getting rid of the fleas in your house. There are many flea sprays and flea bombs available in the market that can kill fleas. Once this is done, you can vacuum and clean your house and dispose of the fleas. This is important to ensure that your dog flea treatment is not in vain and the fleas do not return to infest your dog.

Proper dog flea treatment is very important for good dog health. Infestation by fleas can cause other serious diseases and therefore, it is important that you rid your dogs of these parasites as soon as you discover them.