Fleas can cause a wide variety of issues for you, your dog, and your home. With a few simple steps, you can take care of the fleas you currently have and prevent them from coming back. Burke, Anna. Coates, Jennifer. AKC Staff. Tick populations have been steadily increasing, and experts are predicting even higher than normal numbers in most areas of the country.
Migratory birds and white-tailed deer acting as carriers have expanded the range of many tick species, while conservation efforts such as decreased reliance on insecticides and the preservation of open space have helped them thrive. Read More. Fleas can be tricky. To get rid of them in your home and prevent them from coming back, you need a strong, proactive approach. Fleas and ticks need to be dealt with right away. This three-step approach can help make sure they don't come back.
Recognizing Fleas on Dogs If you want to know if your dog has fleas , there are several methods you can try. How to Treat an Immediate Problem If you notice signs of fleas, you will want to take action right away.
It kills fleas, ticks, and lice and prevents flea eggs from hatching for 28 days. Vacuum your entire home with a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner. The beating brushes in a quality vacuum can remove one-quarter of the flea larvae and over half of the flea eggs.
Make sure you vacuum carpets, floors, and all upholstery. If possible, have your carpets professionally cleaned. Fleas are a nuisance. These tiny, blood-sucking parasites irritate your dog and infest your home — often before you realize that fleas have moved in.
Many dogs are allergic to flea bites, which can cause intense scratching, red and flaky skin, scabs, hot spots, and hair loss. Fleas can also cause tapeworm and anemia. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fleas prefer animal hosts but will resort to biting people when animals are unavailable.
They can transmit germs that cause disease by feeding on hosts or through fecal contamination, when infected flea feces are scratched into an open wound. Here are the four steps you need to take to eliminate these unwelcome freeloaders. The first step is understanding the enemy. Fleas go through four life cycle stages :. The adults live on animals like your dog, where they digest blood and lay their eggs. One female flea can lay up to 2, eggs. These eggs hatch in days and spread throughout your home and yard every time your dog scratches, shakes, or lies down.
They then hatch into larvae that can move on the host and feed on blood and flea dirt digested blood from the adult fleas. During the pupa stage they form cocoons, where they wait for several days or up to one year — preferably for the fleas in the comfort of your carpet, sofa, or bed — until a warm-bodied host appears.
Then they hatch, become adults, and infest their animal hosts — such as your dog. The best way to deal with fleas is prevention. Flea and tick preventatives kill fleas that come in contact with your dog, preventing your pup from bringing them home in the first place.
There are several options out there, from flea collars to topical liquid applicants and pills. Although adult fleas prefer warmer environments, they still exist during the winter months, so you should treat your dog for fleas year-round — not just in the warmer months. In fact, flea eggs, larvae and pupae can be found in the home anytime and in the pupal stage can lay dormant for several months, so you may not be aware you have fleas in your home until you turn on the heating system and they begin to hatch.
Most kennels will require you to treat your dog for fleas before they board. Your flea treatment schedule will depend on the product you are using. Our Products. Master Brand. Share on. Intro Text. Regularly wash pet bedding — thoroughly clean pet bedding in a hot wash 60 degrees Celsius to kill fleas and their eggs.
How often should I treat my puppy for fleas? Do I need to treat my dog for fleas during the winter months? When should I treat my dog before they stay at a kennel? Buy Online. Tags Dog.
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