Dog Fleas
They eventually develop into Dog fleas, which latch onto passing dogs or hitch a ride on your shoes. Dog Fleas will transfer to infest the house, yard, other animals and humans. Because of the extended life cycle of the flea, your home can be infested with the eggs, larvae, and pupae even before you see your first flea. You should be diligent in grooming your pets so that you can spot a problem as early as possible.
Unfortunately, most flea problems aren’t noticed until your pet is itching from its bites. It’s actually itching due to sensitization to the flea’s saliva. Some dogs are not hypersensitive to the bite which makes it even more difficult to detect a problem. That’s why prevention is the best plan of action.
Fleas move about among the dog’s hairs and suck its blood. The female flea lays her eggs in the grass or indoors in cracks in the floors by the baseboards. The eggs hatch into larvae that feed on bits of dust and dirt. They eventually develop into dog fleas, which latch onto passing dogs, or hitch a ride on your shoes. Dog Fleas will transfer to infest the house, yard, other animals and humans.
Due to recent warming trends, fleas are surviving longer and are surviving in areas where they were not able to live in the past. Dog Fleas can also survive the winter weather by feeding on dogs and cats. In the more humid months, fleas can multiply very quickly. They lay 40 to 50 eggs on a daily basis so the infestation is swift. These can fall off the dog and typically infest the pet’s bedding area first.
Safety Tips For Dog
For the health and sanity of your pet, it is vital you take necessary steps to prevent a flea infestation in the first place. There are many options currently available from local pet stores, online pet suppliers, and even through your vet.
As with most pet health questions, asking your veterinarian their advice on what products to use is a good place to start. You can also do some research. Some products work better than others. Even the pet shop employees will probably tell you what other customers have recommended.
One recommendation to ward off the pest problem is to vacuum frequently. If you use a vacuum cleaner that uses bags, close them tightly before throwing away in the garbage. Wash your dog’s bedding weekly. Treating your dog’s environment is a good practice to prevent dog fleas from invading your home. dog Fleas usually lay their eggs on your animal but they usually fall off within a few hours. Then they’ll molt into larvae and then the pupae stage. They prefer dark areas like your pet’s bedding or carpeting. Frequent vacuuming and cleaning of their bedding and your carpeting, you will help to keep infestations at bay.
Natural Tips For Dog
There are also simple natural choices: Boil water containing orange or lemon peel and soak it into your dog’s bedding for a couple of hours. Bathing your pet in warm soapy water can prevent major flea problems as long as you catch it in the early stages.
Recently, flea control products for dogs have improved and worked very effectively. They come with two application options, oral and topical. Some of these kills on contact while others interrupt the life cycle by killing the fleas after they ingest the blood of the dog.
The advantage is a fluid-based insecticide that is applied into the back of the dog’s head and neck area where the dog is unable to reach. Some dogs have bad reactions to this treatment so keep an eye on them the first time you use it. If treated regularly, this is one of the best preventive measures a dog owner can take. The days of flea collars and toxic dips are a thing of the past.
Also available are oral flea control products. They usually come in a beef-flavored, chewable tablet. One of the reasons some families prefer this method is they won’t have to worry about the kids coming into close contact with the pesticide when it’s administered topically.
Fipronil is another effective treatment that has been proven to be 100% reliable and can kill all infesting dog fleas within 24 hours of applying it to your dog. There are other similar products on the market but your best option is to start by seeking your vet’s advice. He (or she) can discuss any concerns you may have about using these more drastic chemicals on your dog to eradicate the fleas.
A flea infestation can explode into a large problem if not detected and treated properly and promptly. Through diligent monitoring of your dog, especially in the summer months when the flea problem is at its peak, you can keep your dog both healthy and free of dog fleas
Generic Products: FiproGuard, FiproGuard Plus – available in Petsmart, Petco, and other pet retail stores.
Personal OTC and Pronyl OCT Plus are available at larger grocery stores, drug stores, and mass retailers.