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The ideal way to fight fleas is to avoid them from attacking your dog, your cat or your dwelling in the initial spot. As soon as the fleas have attacked your pet, you need to have medicated merchandise.
Besides driving pets crazy, fleas are dangerous to your pet's health. Fleas can trigger anemia, specifically in animals that are young or debilitated. A single female flea will consume up to 15 times her body weight in blood over the weeks of its adult life. Fleas also serve as hosts to other parasites, like tapeworms, none of which you want for your pet.
Start off your prevention efforts by inspecting your pet for fleas. They are about the size of a grain of rice, only thinner and darker. You may also see signs of their dirt or feces. The preferred spot to appear is on your pet's belly, under the arms and down toward the groin. If you see any tiny dark insects scurry about, your pet has fleas.
The truth is if your pet has fleas, he will most likely already be scratching and chewing at his fur. Appear at where he is chewing for signs of infestation.
The next step to stopping fleas is to head to the back yard. Fleas will keep away from a nicely-groomed yard in favor of one where there is lots of leaf litter and yard debris where they can thrive. Get rid of the litter and debris and then check out a garden shop to purchase beneficial nematodes, which are microscopic roundworms that kill flea larvae, but are secure to humans, your pets and plants.
Now that the yard is safe, move inside and begin vacuuming your carpets, furniture cushions, mattresses and any spot where fleas could possibly be hiding. When you think you have vacuumed the location thoroughly, go back over it once more. And be certain you dispose of the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a plastic bag that is sealed and thrown in the outdoor trash can immediately.
Some consumers swear by borax as an effective pre-treatment, though this is not suggested by the borax producers. If you pick to try it, sprinkle the borax on the carpet or furniture, work it in with a broom, and then let it sit for a few hours ahead of you vigorously vacuum the region. Do not let pets in the room throughout the treatment and again, take the vacuum bag outdoors right away.
These methods will help guard your pet, but what can you do if your dog or cat already has fleas?
Dogs:
Collars
The PowerBand Flea and Tick Collar for dogs protects against ticks and fleas in all their stages of life. It kills young fleas, adult fleas and flea eggs for up to 5 months. The collar will fit all but the most mammoth-sized dogs. You activate the release of medication by squeezing the buckle among your thumb and finger and then pulling sharply. The collar does not need to have to be replaced if the dog gets wet.
Shampoos
Adams Flea & Tick Shampoo is an insecticide, repellent and deodorant for dogs already suffering from fleas. The cleansing shampoos will kill fleas, ticks and lice, and aid restore your dog's coat. After thoroughly soaking your dog's fur with warm water, apply the shampoos on his head and ears. Lather and repeat the procedure on his neck, chest, middle and hindquarters, bathing the legs last. It is essential not to rinse off the shampoo until the dog has been completely lathered for three to 5 minutes. Just after that time, you will need to rinse him thoroughly. You can use the shampoo each and every two weeks, as required. Do not use it on puppies younger than 12 weeks.
Applications
Direct monthly application of medicines like Frontline for dogs will control fleas, ticks and chewing lice. Frontline contains Fipronil, an antiparasitic agent. The dosage is based on the dog's weight. It can be utilized on puppies at least eight weeks old, as well as breeding and lactating dogs. The liquid medication is applied in between the dog's shoulder blades, so it can not be licked off. It is created to quit and prevent fleas by killing adult fleas, flea eggs, and flea larvae and avoid reinfestation. Considering that it is absorbed into the dog's skin, it is waterproof.
Cats:
Shampoos
Adams Flea & Tick Shampoo, as described for dogs, can also be used on cats. Follow the very same instructions.
Applications
Frontline also produces an antiparasitic spray for cats and kittens, at least eight weeks old. When used monthly, it will control flea and tick infestations. Though wearing latex gloves, you spray Frontline to your cat's back, sides, stomach, legs, shoulders and neck. To coat the cat's head and face, spray Frontline into your gloved hand and then rub it gently into the cat's fur, avoiding his eyes and mouth. You spray 1 to two pumps per the cat's weight (10 pounds = 10 to 20 pumps). It should certainly be sufficient of a mist that the cat's fur is damp to wet.
In brief, there are methods to take to lessen the likelihood of flea infestation in your pets but even with these precautions, it can still happen. Luckily, there are products available to treat your pets if this does happen.
