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Questions
- How do dogs get fleas?
- Are cat and dog fleas the same?
- How do I know if my dog has fleas?
- Why should you treat your dog for fleas and ticks?
- How often should you flea your dog?
- How to get rid of fleas on dogs
- How long can fleas live without a host animal?
- How does flea treatment work?
- Best flea treatments for dogs
- Can fleas from a dog get on humans?
- How to get rid of fleas in the house?
Scrolling for flea stuff for dogs? You’ve come to the right place. If there’ s one problem that pooch parents often face, it's trying to find the best flea treatment for dogs. Flea infestations are not only annoying for you as a dog parent, but are just as irritating for your precious pup too.
Flea infestations can be very difficult to get rid of as they can come back time and time again. However, there are plenty of medications available to help combat a flea problem should it arise. As well as treating the existing outbreak, flea treatments can often reduce the chance of it from happening again. Luckily, we’ve got the ultimate guide to some of the best flea treatments for dogs so you can treat your pup as quickly as possible, as well as the best flea killer for home use to nip that infestation in the bud! If you’re looking at dealing with both flea and worming (prevention is always best), check out this Ultimate Guide to both!
How do dogs get fleas?
There are a number of different ways in which dogs can get fleas. Dogs are naturally curious, so they cannot help but to go round sniffing everything and anything, which is one of the most common ways fleas can be picked up. Another common cause is from your dog interacting with other animals that are carrying fleas, as those pesky critters can jump from carrier to carrier.
Are cat and dog fleas the same?
No, cat fleas and dog fleas are different! The naked human eye cannot spot the differences between them visually, but they are different flea species. Whilst cat fleas may have adapted to infect other animals including dogs, dog fleas specifically infect dogs exclusively.
How do I know if my dog has fleas?
There’s a range of common signs and symptoms that indicate your canine companion has fleas, including:
·      Itching/scratching
·      Hair loss: bald/sore patches
·      Irritated skin & redness
·      Visible but small brown/black insects in their fur
·      Thickened skin in certain areas (i.e. around ears)
It’s also worth asking whether you as a pet parent have noticed any mysterious bites, as this could be from the fleas infecting your furry friend!
Why should you treat your dog for fleas and ticks?
If an infestation is caught and treated quickly, then fleas should not pose too much danger to your dog and be no more than an annoying mishap that you and your pup have to deal with. However, it's important to note that a bad infestation, or one that’s left untreated, can lead to some unwanted side effects.
Flea bite dermatitis is uncomfortable for your pooch, and it's one of the most common issues that result from flea bites. The itching leads to constant scratching and biting, which can break the skin and cause an infection, meaning you’ll have to treat your dog for fleas, as well as a skin infection.
Another issue that can be caused by fleas is tapeworms. Fleas can carry tapeworm larvae, which can develop into an adult tapeworm inside your dog if an infected flea is ingested by them during self-grooming. One of the best ways to avoid this is to find the best flea-repellent to avoid an outbreak in the first place.
Another issue which can be caused by these pesky critters is flea anaemia. Although rare, flea anaemia usually occurs during the late stages of a flea infestation when the fleas have had a chance to feast on your dog’s blood for a long period of time. This can be a very serious issue and vet intervention will be required. Symptoms of flea anaemia include:
•           Extreme lethargy
•           Dark stools
•           Pale gums
•           Bruising on the skin
•           Rapid breathing
•           Loss of appetite
In order to avoid these potential complications with fleas, it’s important to treat the problem as quickly as possible.
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How often should you flea your dog?
How often you flea your dog will depend on which treatment you choose, so always follow the guidelines on the packaging, or speak to your vet if you’re unsure.
However, as a general guide, dogs should be treated for fleas around every three to six months.
How to get rid of fleas on dogs
When it comes to getting rid of fleas you’ll want to find a flea treatment that gets into the blood, as you need to kill both the eggs and fleas, so look out for products which can penetrate both the skin and blood.
The best way to get rid of fleas is to use a fast-acting treatment for the initial fleas, followed by an ongoing treatment for prevention of further infestations.
How long can fleas live without a host animal?
This depends on the state of the flea; adult fleas separated from a host they’ve lived on for more than 24 hours usually die between 2 days to 2 weeks! However, if undisturbed but separated from the host and living in dark, warm conditions (under carpets etc), they can live for up to 100 days without feeding.
How does flea treatment work?
It may depend on the treatment you opt for, but primarily, most flea treatments work as insecticides. This means they interfere with adult fleas’ nervous system so they die quickly before laying any eggs!
Best flea treatments for dogs
The hardest part of treating your dog for fleas can often be choosing the right treatment. If you've been unlucky enough to deal with an infestation before, then you’ll know what to look for to ensure that your dog is comfortable. Whilst you may look for the strongest flea treatment for dogs, it’s important to check with your vet first to make sure it’s the right treatment for your pooch. Needing flea remedies for puppies? We’ve delved into this further here.
However, if this is your first time treating for fleas, then you might benefit from a little guidance, so we’ve got you covered with this selection, including the best flea treatment for home use!
Spot on flea treatments
Spot on flea treatments are one of the most popular treatment options among dog parents. This kind of treatment works as an insecticide, killing off any pesky fleas that are clinging to your dog’s coat. Once the treatment has been applied to one ‘spot’, the natural oils in your dog’s skin will help to distribute the treatment across their body, almost instantly killing any flea that encounters it.
Frontline Spot On is a popular flea treatment as it works to kill fleas and eggs within just 24 hours and only requires a top-up every four weeks to prevent fleas from making a reappearance.
Flea shampoo
If your dog is suffering from fleas, then a flea shampoo is a great treatment option. Flea shampoos for dogs contain a powerful combination of chemicals which work to kill fleas and their eggs. These specialist shampoos are effective for getting rid of a flea infestation, but many dog parents also use them as a preventative measure too. If you’re looking for the best flea shampoo for dogs, look no further!
The Johnson’s Dog Flea Cleansing Shampoo is a popular option for getting rid of pesky critters from your pet. The citrus-based formula contains a blend of powerful herbal and natural extracts which help to kill and repel any fleas in sight and will leave your dog’s coat shiny, clean and flea free!
Flea and tick collars
When it comes to trying to prevent a flea infestation, flea and tick collars are a popular choice as they provide a quick and easy solution for getting rid of and repelling pesky fleas.
There are two different types of flea collars for dogs. Some work to simply repel fleas from your dog’s coat by releasing a strong odour that deters the fleas, whilst others also work to kill fleas and ticks, spreading a treatment across your dog’s body.
The Beaphar Plastic Dog Flea Collar is a great option for your pooch. Not only does it help to kill ticks and fleas on dogs over three months of age, but it can also prevent them from returning for up to four months, giving you peace of mind that your pup is protected from those pesky critters. One of the best things about this flea collar is that it won’t become any less effective if your dog rolls in mud or you get caught out in a great British downpour, so you know your dog has some protection whatever the weather!
Flea tablets
Another popular flea treatment for dogs comes in tablet form and is taken orally by your pet rather than being applied to their coat like some other treatments. Flea tablets work by transmitting the active ingredient to the flea when they try and bite your pup, which works to quickly kill them.
If your pup is good at taking medication, then you can simply place a tablet into their mouth. However, if they’re not too sure about it, then add one tablet to a small portion of their favourite food to encourage them to eat it.
Available in a number of different types, from flea tablets for large dogs to ones for small dogs and puppies – with a 100% efficacy rate within 24 hours, they’re a strong flea treatment for dogs and one of the most effective too!
Can fleas from a dog get on humans?
Whilst fleas can bite you as mentioned above, they cannot live on humans. Fleas struggle to reproduce without fur or feathers acting as protection, and humans typically don’t have enough hair to facilitate suitable conditions for fleas.
How to get rid of fleas in the house?
Finally, we’ve got the sprays to rid your home of nasty fleas - if you’ve found a flea or two on your pup, then chances are that they’ve taken up residence in your home too, so it’s important to get rid of them as quickly as possible. After all, it’s all very well treating your pooch, but if fleas are still lying around in your home, then they’ll keep returning time and time again.
The good news is that there are a number of different household flea sprays on the market which can get rid of the problem and keep your house free from fleas. Household sprays are widely considered the best flea control for home infestations. Household flea sprays work to directly kill any fleas wherever you spray it, from your sofa and carpets to your curtains and even your bed!
A good flea treatment for house use is the FLEAtec Household Flea Spray which contains a blend of fast-acting insecticides along with a potent insect growth regulator to kill any fleas and prevent new ones from hatching for up to six months. The best flea spray will prevent new fleas from hatching too! You can relax safe in the knowledge that your home is free from those pesky critters.
So, whether you’re looking for preventative flea treatment for your dog or trying to get rid of an annoying infestation – these are some of the best flea treatments that’ll keep your dog – and your home – free from fleas. Explore our huge range of flea treatments to find the perfect product for you and your pooch.
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