How to Get Rid of Fleas on Your Dog

What are Dog Fleas?

There are over 2,000 described species of fleas in the world. The most common domestic flea is the cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis felis). The dog flea (Ctenocephalides canis) appears similar to the cat flea, but is rare in the United States.

Adult fleas are between 1-3 mm long and brownish in colour. Their bodies are compressed from side to side which enables the flea to move through fur and feather with ease. The hind legs of a flea are relatively large and are used for jumping heights of up to 16 cm.

Flea eggs are pearl white in colour, oval shaped and approximately 0.5 mm long.

Prevention Is Always Best

Prevention is the absolute best way to keep fleas at bay. Fleas love the heat and humidity, so in the warmer months, check your pet often for fleas.

Vacuum your carpets very frequently, and make sure to use a vacuum hose to get into corners and crevices the vacuum may normally miss. Also, clean and empty your vacuum cleaner frequently, or change bags often. That said, dogs still do get fleas sometimes, so it is important to know just how to get rid of them if they do.

How Do I Tell If My dog Has Fleas?

Watch your dog very closely for signs of fleas. If they have them, they will scratch and bite at their skin often. You can also check for flea eggs which look like dirt. If you rub the dirt in your fingers and it turns red, you have fleas.

How Do I Treat A Dog Who Has Fleas?

If you find fleas on your dog, a good flea bath will help them out tremendously. Fill up the tub, or an old wading pool outside, with warm, soapy water full of flea soap. Thoroughly bathe your dog using the flea soap, and use a fine tooth comb to pull through their fur to find fleas. Drown the fleas by dropping them into the water. Dry your pet completely when they are out of the tub. Later, check for fleas again. Repeat the flea bath if necessary.

After your dog has been rid of the fleas, wash the bedding that they have slept on in hot water. Clean everything around the areas they frequently lay, and wash them as well if you can. Make sure to watch closely for fleas, or flea debris which will turn up by the black grainy dried blood on your dog. This is a sure sign of fleas on your dog.

Are There Over The Counter Drugs To Prevent Fleas?

There are many over the counter solutions and powders available for the prevention and ridding of fleas. Flea collars are also a good idea, and will repel fleas by their smell.   However, these types of treatments usually have to be applied often to be effective.

The easiest and best way to prevent fleas on your dog is to use a monthly “spot-on” topical medicine. A few drops on your pet’s neck or a pill is all it takes.  These treatments are usually applied once a month.

Your vet can recommend the best brand for your dog, to keep them healthy and flea-free.