Fleas can be safely described as the most annoying and widespread parasites, which consider dogs, other domestic animals, and, in the absence of such, humans as food sources. There is a widespread belief in everyday life that dogs living in outdoor conditions are especially susceptible to flea infestation.
In fact, all dogs are considered at risk, including those that live in an apartment and have virtually no contact with their brothers. When fleas appear, the animal is bothered by severe itching and pain; in addition, infection with parasites can cause the development of severe infectious diseases carried by these unpleasant insects.
If larvae and adult fleas are found on an animal's fur, for example, while bathing, you should immediately begin treating the animal. We will consider below which methods are particularly effective.
Where does a small puppy get fleas?
Even domestic dogs that rarely go outside get fleas. This is caused by the fact that pests live in the grass, soil, porches, and on carpets. They turn to animals in search of food.
The source can be the owner himself, who brings them into the house on his clothes. Even in cold weather, pests can reach puppies from the entrance or other places. It is important to understand what non-major sources of infection exist and take measures to eliminate them.
Signs and symptoms
The presence of fleas in an animal can be determined by the main symptom - scabies in different parts of the body. It is the different localization of itching that indicates the appearance of parasites, because scabies only behind the ear can be characteristic of mites, and the blocks attack from all sides. To accurately determine their presence, you should run your hand against the fur and look at the skin. On the surface you can see crumbs of different colors - eggs, flea excrement.
Another sign is an allergic reaction, which occurs in every fourth puppy. Main symptoms:
- dermatitis;
- the appearance of scabs on the skin;
- baldness in the abdomen and groin area.
Parasite bites provoke severe inflammation. As a result of severe itching, dogs themselves scratch the skin, increasing the likelihood of contracting dangerous diseases. If severe scabies appears, the pet tries to bite itself. If there are traces of parasites, you need to immediately treat the puppy for fleas and perform preventive maintenance from time to time.
Answers to popular questions
Probably, almost every dog owner, when parasites appear in an animal, is interested in the following questions: how quickly fleas reproduce, what types of fleas can be found in dogs. As mentioned above, insects are not particularly picky in their diet; therefore, a dog can be attacked directly by dog fleas, rat fleas, human fleas, and many others. However, regardless of the species of insects, it is recommended to use similar preparations to remove them.
How does a pet become infected?
To somewhat protect your pet from parasite infection, it is important to know where fleas come from in dogs. More often, infection occurs through close contact between animals, for example, during play or fighting. However, there are many other ways. So, danger can lie in wait for a dog on the grass, earth, sand. Insects, falling from an infected animal into the external environment, can remain viable for a very long time.
Even if the animal practically does not go out for street walks (more often, keeping it exclusively in an apartment is necessary for puppies that do not have all the necessary vaccinations, as well as small breed dogs), there is a risk of infection.
This can happen upon contact with the owner's street shoes or the wheels of a baby stroller. That is, there are an incredible variety of ways to infect a dog with fleas.
Are fleas dangerous for humans?
Dog fleas may well pose some danger to humans. These parasites are not selective in their nutrition, that is, in the absence of an animal, they may well be considered a source of human nutrition.
Since fleas are carriers of serious diseases of infectious etiology, a parasite bite can cause the development of such dangerous ailments as typhoid, salmonellosis, and various types of helminthiasis. In order to avoid infection, you should begin removing parasites from an animal immediately after detecting signs of infection.
How dangerous are flea bites for a puppy?
Constant itching is considered a minor problem in comparison with other harm from parasites. The danger of bites is caused by the likelihood of developing such problems:
- Infection with worms, cucumber tapeworm.
- Salmonellosis, brucellosis or plague.
- Allergies that lead to dermatitis and hair loss.
To reduce the risk of these diseases, scheduled annual vaccinations should be carried out.
Danger to dogs
For animals whose body is covered with abundant fur, a flea bite is potentially dangerous. These small and seemingly harmless jumping insects inject their saliva into the wound of the bitten person.
Such an “injection” can lead to a number of pathologies:
- excessive hair loss;
- severe itching and redness of the skin in the bite area;
- infection with worms (occurs if a cat or dog accidentally eats a flea);
- transmission of viruses;
- bacteria entering the wound that provoke an allergic reaction;
- in especially severe cases, anemia is observed, which threatens the life of the animal.
A dog attacked by fleas begins to itch intensely, which causes the pet many unpleasant moments. Scratched areas of the skin often become inflamed and cause skin diseases.
Moving from an infected animal to a healthy one, fleas quickly multiply and begin to drink the blood of a new owner. Insect activity increases sharply in spring or autumn.
On a note . Fleas practically do not parasitize humans and are not transmitted to them from pets. As a rule, humans are too hairless for these insects, so the parasites are not found on the human body. However, the risk of flea infestation still exists.
How to handle an animal
There are various parasite removal products on the market. They are selected by age, but if the dog is very small, then their list is limited. It is better to use only shampoos. Before starting the procedure, you should wash your pet in warm water. Parasites cannot swim, so they will try to escape. However, their larvae remain. After this, comb the puppy with a fine-toothed comb.
Rating of the best flea and tick treatments for dogs
You can also use drops, but you should not bathe your pet before using them, or do this after treatment. How to use? Put on gloves, raise the hair at the withers and drop a few drops on the skin so that the drug is absorbed. It is necessary to prevent the medicine from getting into places where the puppy can reach with its tongue.
We remove insects from the first month of life
You can remove fleas from a puppy up to a month old using different methods, depending on whether he lives alone or with his family. If the pet is a month old and the parasites are actively biting it, then repelling it will not help much and more serious measures are needed. Among the possible options:
- A decoction of wormwood, tansy, mint or calamus. You need to place the animal in the warm liquid, but make sure that the product does not get on the ears, head, nose and eyes. Leave the puppy in the bath for a quarter of an hour or more. After drying, comb the wool over a white sheet, which is then burned or drowned.
- Tar soap. The method is effective and is carried out in warm water. When the dog gets wet, you need to thoroughly soap it, wrap it in cloth, wrap it in a warm blanket, and wait half an hour. Remove everything, remove the foam with dead fleas, dry the body, comb the dog to remove the remains of parasites and their larvae.
Flea shampoos for puppies have similar qualities. Veterinarians recommend using Doctor Zoo; it contains no insecticides and contains natural substances. The foam is kept for up to 5 minutes and washed off with water. If the puppy is very small and heavily affected by fleas, then the foam is made in greater concentration. Application to the body is done with a sponge.
Attention! If the puppy lives with its mother and other offspring, before returning it to them after treatment, it is necessary to thoroughly dry the body so that the rest of the puppies do not get foamy. This will prevent poisoning.
We fight blood-sucking parasites in two-month-old puppies
After the puppy is two months old, the immune system will be formed. He is weaned from his mother's milk, his weight increases, teeth appear and his diet changes. Therefore, it is easier for owners to remove pests using various means.
Fleas can be removed from a 2-month-old puppy using a large number of shampoos, but up to six months it is recommended to use options that contain a minimum of poisons. It is allowed to use collars with impregnations based on esters, which are made strictly for puppies. It is better not to use them if there are several dogs. They can chew on each other's collars.
The best products for puppies:
- Sentry shampoo.
- Antiparasitic shampoo for dogs and puppies Delix Bio Natura.
- "Phytoelite" for puppies.
Drops for withers can be used, but in strict accordance with the instructions. At this age, a variety of sprays that quickly give results help. They completely eliminate parasites.
If the animal is the only one and is already 2 months old, then owners can use a variety of options to remove fleas. Many drops and flea sprays for puppies at 2 months that are on sale do not harm the health of pets.
Protecting against fleas in litter
A nursing mother can become infected with parasites while walking. If no vaccinations were given during pregnancy, the newborn offspring will most likely have parasites. To solve this, you can use different flea remedies for puppies:
- The first step is to cover the habitat with wormwood or tansy, and if the season is not suitable for the plant, dry grass is used, and decoctions are prepared to treat the litter using a spray bottle. Such actions help get rid of fleas in the entire family. The described method is useful even for an enclosure, a booth or other places outside.
- Lavender, eucalyptus and mint oils help. They are considered powerful repellents. For treatment, a solution is made based on water and a few drops of oil, used through a spray bottle. The method helps protect the litter and remove fleas from already infested puppies.
- For a bitch that feeds offspring, you need to use a collar or simply a cloth soaked in a solution with oils, it is tied around the neck.
- On sale you can find drops, sprays and tablets for bitches. Recommendations for selection are provided by a veterinarian. He will recommend medications that are optimal for the animal.
It is very important to monitor dogs during feeding. The mother of the puppies should not be itchy or restless, otherwise she should be checked for fleas and measures taken to eliminate them.
Removing pests from older puppies
It is much easier to remove fleas from older puppies. Any method for home treatment is suitable, and after the procedure you should monitor your pet to ensure there are no side effects from the drugs. For treatment, experts advise using shampoos, but their effect is short-lived and the method is more suitable for prevention. The collars repel parasites, the effect lasts up to three months and can be combined with shampoos.
Sprays are also used, but the treatment should be done outside, and the dog should be put in protective clothing and left in it for 5 hours. Drops are applied pointwise, they have a strong effect on fleas, but you need to work strictly according to the instructions. There are powders on sale that, after application, are washed off with shampoo. Tablets are rarely used because they are ineffective and cause side effects: vomiting, problems with the liver or kidneys.
Precautionary measures
Given the instability of the immune system and the sensitivity of the nervous system of small pets, insecticides against fleas should be used in compliance with safety rules.
Each drug comes with instructions that must be followed unconditionally . It indicates the methods and places of application of the product, its dosage taking into account the weight of the dog, as well as age restrictions.
Particular attention should be paid to side effects and contraindications to the use of the selected drug.
When using sprays, the pet is treated outdoors. If the procedure was performed indoors, it must be ventilated.
Ridding your home of fleas, eggs and larvae
It is important not only to treat puppies, but also to treat the dog’s home, where the parasites themselves and their larvae gather. Female fleas lay many eggs, which fall on the floor, litter, and after a few days cocoons appear. They turn into adults and move on to people and dogs.
Attention! Fleas are localized on the dog, and their larvae and eggs remain on carpets and other objects in the house.
For treatment, special drops, sprays and regular vacuuming should be used. Pharmaceutical preparations contain substances that stop reproduction, which provides long-term protection against re-infection. After treating the puppy, you need to apply the product in places where the animal frequently rests (bedding, kennels, floor crevices and baseboards). After a couple of hours, open the windows for ventilation and clean the surfaces with a vacuum cleaner.
Premises treatment
If the dog lives at home, it is necessary to treat all rooms, furniture and carpets, not forgetting the pet’s belongings (including soft toys). For an animal kept in an enclosure, the booth, bedding and other household items are disinfested. Without treatment, treatment becomes pointless, since flea eggs remaining in the house remain viable for up to two weeks.
Apartment cleaning
There are several ways to destroy insects in a house or apartment :
- Skirting boards, carpets, furniture, and ventilation holes are treated with special sprays. Sometimes re-treatment is required after 7-10 days.
- Folk remedies: wormwood, tansy or lavender are placed around the house. Another option is to wash the floors daily for 10 days with the addition of essential oils of eucalyptus, lavender, and citrus.
- Exposure to low temperatures - in winter, you can leave the windows open for 4-6 hours and leave the house.
- Calling exterminators is an extreme case when fleas have spread throughout part of an apartment building.
After any type of treatment, it is necessary to vacuum furniture and carpets, wash all surfaces and floors, and boil textiles. This will destroy the surviving larvae and adults.
Cleaning the booth
There are no fundamental differences in the treatment of a booth and an apartment: the bedding is taken out and boiled (although it is better to throw it away and buy a new one), the inside of the house is sprayed with insecticides, and then washed with water and essential oils.
For the first time (up to a month), you can spread fresh tansy or wormwood around the enclosure. If it is winter, then such measures are unnecessary.
Precautionary measures
Chemical poisoning is an extremely unpleasant phenomenon. To avoid it, you need to protect yourself while processing the room:
- wear gloves and cover your face - with a scarf, respirator, medical mask;
- protect your eyes with glasses;
- read the instructions carefully, avoid overdoses and use of expired products;
- remove all household members for a while - it is better if animals, children, elderly people and family members with chronic diseases stay outside the apartment for at least a day;
- after the procedure, take a bath, wash your hands thoroughly;
- Ventilate the room well after treatment and wash all surfaces with clean water.
If an allergy or poisoning occurs due to the use of the products, you must go to the hospital.
Rating of the best flea remedies (2019)
Pharmaceutical preparations are effective against fleas. They are sold in different forms and can be used if the problem has become very severe.
Shampoo
The products are created from natural substances, to which an insecticide is added that destroys pests. The effect is mild and can be used even from a few weeks of life. The effect appears after several baths and improves the condition and quality of the skin and coat.
After soaping, you need to leave the foam on your body for 15 minutes or more. Rinse with water. The main disadvantage is that there is no protection against re-infections.
The best flea shampoos for dogs:
- Argan Oil Shampoo from the manufacturer Espree.
- "Phytoelite".
- 8in1 Tea Tree oil Shampoo.
- Doctor Zoo.
- Espree Bright White Shampoo.
- Hartz Rid Flea & Tick Shampoo.
- Herba Vitae.
Drops
Such drugs are considered effective, but the effect does not appear immediately, but after a couple of days. The main condition is that it is forbidden to wash the dog before and after applying the drops. The medicine is distributed from the back of the head to the withers from a small tube. The fur needs to be parted so that the active substances get on the skin. Apply according to the animal's weight and age. Recommended for use from the second to third month.
Rating of the best flea and tick drops for dogs
The most effective flea drops:
- Frontline Merial Combo S.
- "Bars" from AVZ.
- Advantix Bayer.
- IMMO Shield Line-on Beaphar (Beafar)
Spray
Preparations of this form are the fastest method of controlling fleas in puppies. The effect is immediate, the result lasts up to a month. You need to spray the product over the body, except the head, straightening the hair. After this, walk the dog and distract it, excluding licking its fur. Some products can also be used on puppies.
The best sprays for dogs:
- Aerosol Bayer "Bolf".
- OMERIAL Frontline Spray.
- Trixie BIO Liberator.
- Beaphar Bio Spot On Spray For Dogs.
- Protecto Plus spray against Beaphar parasites.
Collar
Flea collars for puppies are safe methods of control. They help eliminate parasites at home and are used for prevention daily. Such products are made of plastic, which is impregnated with repellents, so the dog is under constant protection.
Collars must be worn and not removed. Their action is gradual. If you do not wear it constantly, the effect may disappear. The exact time is indicated on the packaging and in the instructions. Depends on the concentration of active substances. Selection is carried out according to the breed and weight of the puppy.
At what age can you start removing fleas?
Babies still have a weak immune system, unable to resist not only flea bites, but also drugs used to remove insects. The effectiveness of insecticides is ensured by the presence of potent toxins in the composition that can poison even a puppy.
Therefore, the optimal age from which it is recommended to use chemicals is 1 month from the moment the baby is born. But here, too, not everything is so simple: when choosing funds, you need to take into account their features. A number of insecticides are dangerous even at one month of age.
Age restrictions
| Active substance | In what products is it present? | At what age is it acceptable (in weeks) |
| Selamectin | Revolution | 7 |
| Fipronil | Frontline | 8 |
| Spinosad | Comfortis | 14 |
The restrictions apply not only to these drugs, but also to their analogues. Such insecticides should not be used on young puppies.
Folk remedies
The use of folk remedies does not give immediate results, but can be used for puppies. To work you need soap, a comb and making your own shampoo. Processing progress:
- Bathe the dog in soapy water with intensive soaping for up to 10 minutes. Rinse the coat with plenty of water to remove most of the fleas. It is best to use tar soap.
- Carefully comb the animal with a brush or comb.
- Make your own shampoo, for which you need a few drops of celandine, equal portions of eucalyptus, tea tree, and cedar oils. Rub the mixture over your body and rinse after 15 minutes. The product is considered ideal against fleas for puppies.
The described recipe is effective, but to secure it, you can also apply flea drops, buy a collar, or use a spray.
The best folk remedies for fighting fleas
Prevention
Prevention measures are directly determined by where the dog is - in a new family, where he is alone, or together with his relatives.
In the first case, fleas should be poisoned using medications. They are also used for prevention. In this case, collars are best suited.
When the pet is with the family, all toxic substances must be excluded. Drugs from the skin of some dogs, when washed by the mother, can get into other babies. This will lead to their poisoning or even death. Therefore, it is necessary to use natural preparations here.
It is best to use the scents of wormwood, mint, lavender, bedbug, sweet clover, tansy or flea beetle. The herbs themselves, their oils or powders should be scattered on the floor of the room where the pets spend the most time. The outer part of the lounger (the one that touches the floor) is impregnated with herbal oils. The strong aroma will repel insects.
It is best to use the scents of wormwood, mint, lavender, bedbug, sweet clover, tansy or flea beetle.
