Dog Flea Treatment - How to Control Fleas and Ticks

• Constant scratching can cause open wounds and infection.
• Severe allergic reactions to flea bits can cause flea allergy dermatitis resulting in hair loss as well as scabs or bumps.
• Anemia – older dogs and puppies may be susceptible to anemia caused by fleabites.
• Fleas can transmit double-pored tapeworm to your dog.
• Life-threatening diseases can be transmitted by ticks, including lyme disease and rocky mountain spotted fever.

Tick

When your dog becomes agitated and scratches continuously, it is usually a good indication of fleas. Checking for so-called "flea dirt", little black specs on your dog or where your dog sleeps can confirm this. Comb your dog with a metal flea comb and make sure you reach the skin. Black specs or actual fleas on the comb must be drowned in soapy water immediately. Another way is to place a piece of white paper beneath your dog. Rubbing his fur should loosen any black specs that may be flea dirt.

Pregnant, sick & older dogs

Although natural treatments might be safer to use for flea and tick control where pregnant, sick or older dogs are concerned, always consult your veterinarian before starting any dog flea treatment.

Natural Remedies

• Garlicmakes your dog's blood much less tasty to fleas. It is important to make sure you do not give your dog too much though as this could have a toxic effect.
• Brewer's yeast also repels fleas but some dogs might be allergic to it.

Puppies under the age of 12 weeks should never be treated with any of the dog flea treatment chemical methods used for older dogs. Bathing, using a flea comb and Because it is a non-toxic, natural product Diatomaceous Earth (DE) can safely be used on all dogs from puppies to old dogs. Ensure you use food grade DE, available from garden supply centers and some health food stores. Avoid inhalation of the fine powder and keep away from the eyes. Remember to treat bedding and other areas where your puppy spends time.

Other Methods of Control:

Most flea and tick products will be effective in killing fleas that are present on your dog but do not necessarily have a lasting effect.

• Shampoos and dips - You can do this yourself if there are not alot of fleas or you can take your dog to your veterinarian or dog groomer for a flea bath. If you are doing this yourself, start with the head and face area and work down.
• Sprays - some of the newer sprays have an insect growth inhibitor (IGI) and will not only kill adult fleas but also break the life cycle of the flea as well.
• Flea Powders as a dog flea treatment - easy to use, just sprinkle on your dog and work into the coat. Some of powders can be very toxic, so please read the label ingredients and instructions and avoid inhalation.

  FOR ALL YOUR DOG'S FLEA & TICK NEEDS...

• Flea Collars - these are an easy and inexpensive way to control fleas and a good option before your dog has fleas but usually only kills the adult flea in and around theneck and head area. Read labels as the effectiveness will ware off after a period of time. Some flea collars have insect growth regulators (IGR), called eggstopper collars they work by preventing the eggs from hatching. Although, contentious electronic dog collars are also available.
• Combing with a flea comb.
• Oral treatment (Program) - a once a month pill taken orally that prevents larvae fromdeveloping but does not kill adult fleas. This is dispensed by a veterinarian only.
• A Spot on dog flea treatment, applied directly onto the dog's skin (usually the back of the neck)such as:

• Revolution
  
• Advantage
  
• Frontline
  
• Bio Spot
• Interceptor
• Sentinel
• Program Capstar
• K9 Advantix

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