what is the best way to get rid of fleas on dogs

As the conditions starts to warm up, we can look forward to socially distanced walks, picnics and ultimately more fourth dimension outdoors. However, warming temperatures often ways increased flea activity, which is not as pleasant: "Fleas very much enjoy kind of a hot, humid surround," said Douglas Kratt, DVM, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Flea infestations tin can be stressful, just by following a multi-pace treatment programme and listening to your local veterinarian's advice, you lot can efficiently stop an outbreak from happening in the first place.

"Beginning of all, take a deep breath — there'south a lot of actually great products out there that are safety," said Kratt, who works as a small creature practitioner at Central Animal Hospital. "Second of all, employ your resources. Lean on the experience of the people that y'all're trusting the intendance with to requite you a couple of good options."

While it may be too late for anyone reading this article having experienced bug, "preventive care is far more preferable to handling," said Heidi Cooley, DVM, a veterinarian at Banfield Pet Hospital. Then if you're pet isn't already on a flea control program, you may want to consider starting them on one to save time and coin related to ridding your pet and home of a flea infestation. Some other good practice they point out is regular baths in addition to ofttimes washing your pet's bedding. Since hot h2o and soap kills fleas, regular washing is one the easiest ways to forestall fleas from spreading throughout the house. As for dealing with an existing flea infestation, we consulted experts on the best steps to take and some over the counter products to consider buying.

SKIP Ahead How to become rid of fleas

How do fleas adhere to your pet

Fleas can survive outdoors for up to two weeks without a host — your pets can come in contact with them in backyards, dog parks and kennels, non to mention contracting them from another beast that has fleas. In one case an adult female flea attaches to your pet, she can lay as many as 50 eggs per twenty-four hour period and live upwards to 100 days (depending on how old she was on attachment). Kratt explained that "when they jump on your pet, the female person flea will honestly start laying eggs inside the day." Within two to sixteen days, those eggs will hatch into larvae, which then abound into pupae.

How to get rid of fleas

One time yous've identified your pet has fleas, the best arroyo involves multiple simultaneous steps that target fleas, larvae and eggs on your pet, in your house and 1000. Always consult your veterinarian for recommendations on how to best care for your pet.

Step 1: Brush your pet with a flea rummage

Vets recommend initially brushing your pet with a flea comb to remove whatsoever fleas. Pay extra attention to the neck area and the base of operations of the tail.

Hartz Groomer'south Best Flea Comb

Designed for both cats and dogs, this Hartz castor is designed to hands remove fleas, flea eggs and other debris. Priced on the lower end for flea combs, this $iii comb besides doubles as a grooming tool that can detangle knots in your pet's hair. The extra-fine teeth comb has an average 4.7-star rating from almost 4,500 Amazon shoppers.

Step ii: Give your pet a bath

Wash your pet with soap and warm water. Keep in listen that shampoos can "take a drying effect on the pare and an extremely brusque-term period of effectiveness so are not recommended for long-term parasite prevention," Cooley explained.

Vet'due south Best Flea and Tick Dog Shampoo

Formulated with natural oils, this flea shampoo is designed to kill fleas, flea larva, flea eggs and even ticks on your pet within hours, according to the brand. This shampoo boasts a iv.3-star average rating from over three,600 Amazon shoppers. Vet'south Best as well has a establish-based formula for cats.

Sentry Flea & Tick Oatmeal Hawaiian Ginger Shampoo

This flea and tick shampoo from Sentry is meant for dogs with sensitive, dryer skin. Like Vet's Best, this product by Sentry can treat both flea and ticks on contact. Garnering a iv.5-star average rating from over 2,700 shoppers, the brand claims is workout on the peel while being effective enough to get rid of fleas and ticks for upward to 10 days (then y'all would need to reapply). The pH-balanced formula tin besides kill the deer ticks that may deport Lyme affliction, according to the brand.

Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo

Notably, this Adams shampoo, with a 4.5-star average from over viii,800 shoppers, is designed specifically for cats (12 weeks and older). In addition to its natural ingredients, which include soothing aloe, coconut extract and oatmeal, this shampoo also contains an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) that stunts flea evolution and is safe to employ around pets and people (because they work to target insect hormones), co-ordinate to the National Pesticide Data Center. The shampoo is about effective for upwardly to 28 days until you lot demand to reapply.

Step 3: Disinfect the house

After disposed to the fleas on your pet, it's fourth dimension to get rid of an infestation in your home. In almost cases, information technology takes three to iv months to completely go rid of a flea infestation because it takes fleas this long to go through their life stages, according to the American Kennel Society — even more reason to practice preventive measures regularly.

"The real battle against fleas comes downward to killing those that aren't on your true cat or domestic dog," said Cooley. "For every ane flea you find on a pet, 99 others are likely hiding in your domicile, car, or yard."

Seventh Generation Gratis & Articulate Natural Laundry Detergent

This detergent from Seventh Generation is hypoallergenic, prophylactic for pets and made for people with sensitive skin. As a natural laundry detergent, the brand said it'due south a USDA-Certified Biobased Product that contains no dyes, fragrances or artificial brighteners.

Shark Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum

This upkeep-friendly vacuum from Shark is powerful, lightweight (weighing 12.five pounds) and one of the best vacuums. Rated an average 4.6-star from nigh 13,000 shoppers, this vacuum likewise includes features like a detachable canister, HEPA filter, and the power to transition between floor types.

Dyson V7 Motorhead Cordless Stick Vacuum

If you're looking to invest in a vacuum cleaner that's also cord-free, consider one that's earned a iv.five-star boilerplate rating from almost six,000 Amazon shoppers. With a runtime of upward to 30 minutes on a single charge, this Dyson is designed to option upwardly fine dust and dirt in both hardwood and rug. Additionally, the vacuum has the ability to transfer into a handheld vacuum for smaller spaces.

iRobot Roomba 614 Robot Vacuum

Cooley recommended vacuuming your home several times a week to significantly reduce your pet's risk of infestation and help prevent flea eggs from hatching. If you don't have the time to vacuum periodically, consider using robot vacuums that automatically work on a timed schedule. Earning a 4.4-star average rating from over 6,700 Amazon shoppers, this iRobot grabs dust and clay from carpet and hardwood floors.

Pace 4: Prevent hereafter infestations

Again, the best way to deal with fleas is through prevention. In that location are 3 primary approaches in that regard: collars, topical applications and oral medications. Ultimately, Kratt said the best pick for your pet depends on their lifestyle and your vet's advice.

Seresto Flea Collar

A do good of flea prevention collars — like this highly rated selection from Seresto — is convenience. There is no messy awarding and as nearly collars have a shelf life of upward to 8 months, you tin can put the neckband on and non have to think near prevention every month. Earning a 4.v-star average rating from over 44,000 Amazon shoppers, information technology is designed to kill and repel fleas and ticks for 8 continuous months. Seresto also offers an option for cats boasting the same flea repelling properties.

NexGard Soft Chews for Dogs

This oral medication can be thrown in with their meals for flea prevention. According to the American Animal Infirmary Association, NexGard's chews are FDA-canonical to help kill adult fleas before they tin can lay eggs, providing protection from fleas and ticks for a full month. Unlike the other brands above that make products for both dogs and cats, NexGard is fabricated for dogs but and boasts a 4.7-star rating from over 600 Chewy shoppers.

Advantage II Once-A-Month Topical Flea Treatment

Monthly topicals are applied directly to your pet's skin, just below the fur. Dissimilar oral flea medication that circulates flea-fighting ingredients in your pet's bloodstream, this topical treatment from Advantage Ii is designed to impale through contact and doesn't require the flea to bite your pet for it to be constructive. It has earned a iv.6-star average rating from over 2,800 Petco shoppers. The product should start working within 12 hours and keep working for 30 days (when you lot need to utilise again), co-ordinate to the brand. Likewise, Reward II also sells an option merely for dogs.

How to tell if your pet has fleas

Identifying the signs of a flea infestation is crucial. The veterinarians we spoke to outlined 3 signs to look out for.

• Increased itching: Coincidental scratching or grooming is i thing, just if you lot detect your pet excessively scratching in a particular area, you'll want to inspect further. You tin do so past running your fingers or combing through their fur. "Flea bites are precipitous and painful, and their salivary glands give off a substance that'south irritating — or fifty-fifty allergic — to cats and dogs," Cooley tells us.
• Fleas on hair follicles: Adult fleas are reddish-chocolate-brown and smaller than a grain of rice. Since fleas move fast through your pet's hair, it is often easier to spot what is called "flea dirt."
• Presence of "flea dirt": Too known every bit flea carrion, "flea clay" has been described as brown-black dirt. If you lot are unsure whether it is real dirt or flea clay, run it nether water: If it turns red, then it's flea dirt and you'll take to treat it accordingly.

Otherwise, veterinarians recommended periodically scanning your pet'southward bedding, carpets or other surfaces they hang out in or on for whatever signs of fleas.

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Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/select/shopping/how-get-rid-fleas-ncna1262654