Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Preventing Fleas
• Method 2 of 3: Removing fleas from your dog
• Method 3 of 3: Keeping fleas at home and outdoors
• Warnings

Pets, including dogs, are more likely to have Ctenocephalides felis, which translated from Latin means "cat flea". Much less common Pulex irritans ("Human flea") and Ctenocephalides canis ("Dog flea"). Fleas usually live only six weeks, although some can live up to one year. Since only about 1% of all fleas are in the adult stage, and most methods of dealing with them destroy only adult insects, getting rid of these parasites can be quite difficult if they entered the house and got on the dog. Preventive measures are often more effective as a long-term solution to the problem.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Preventing Fleas

1. 1 Use a topical agent for prophylaxis. Topical flea products such as Advantage, Frontline Plus, and Revolution can be regularly applied to your dog every year to help prevent fleas. Typically, they are a cream or thick liquid, a drop of which should be applied to the dog's back between the shoulder blades.
   • Talk to your veterinarian about which flea remedy is best for your dog and how much to use it. Usually the recommended dosage depends on the size of the dog.
   • Flea remedy is applied to the back between the shoulder blades because the dog cannot reach this place. It will take some time to absorb and take effect, so do not bathe your dog immediately after applying it.
   • Some topical flea treatments for dogs contain the insecticide permethrin. This substance is safe for dogs, but toxic for cats. Do not use these products on cats.
   • You can also apply a few drops of lavender essential oil - it also repels fleas.
2. 2 Put a flea collar on your dog. This is another way to protect your pet from parasites. Flea collars must be properly worn to effectively repel insects. Make sure you can get two fingers between the collar and the dog's neck. The collar should not fit tighter or looser on the animal's neck. Collars are usually longer than necessary, so cut them to fit your pet.
   • If you are unsure which flea collar to use, check with your veterinarian or pet store dealer.
   • Read the instructions for use that came with the collar. Some collars become less effective when wet and are best removed before bathing.
   • If the collar begins to irritate the animal's neck, remove it. If this happens, try using a different flea collar.
   • Never use flea collars on cats that will contain ingredients such as amitraz, permethrin, organophosphates.
3. 3 Make your own flea collar. You don't have to buy a flea collar, but make it yourself from natural ingredients. To do this, you will need a bandana or regular dog collar, 1-3 tablespoons (15-45 milliliters) of water, and 2-5 drops of cedarwood or lavender essential oil. Mix essential oil with water to dilute it. Using a dropper or similar, apply 5-10 drops of the solution to the collar or bandana. Rub the cloth to spread the solution evenly over it. Then tie a collar or bandana on your dog.
   • Reapply the solution to the collar once a week to keep it effective.
   • You can also make a mixture of 1-2 drops of this solution and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil and apply it at the base of the dog's tail. This way you protect the animal from fleas on both sides!
4. 4 Give your dog oral flea prophylaxis. Several different oral flea treatments for dogs and cats are currently on the market. One of these drugs is Simparica tablets. Dogs can be given them once a month. These tablets contain a flea inhibitor, but may be less effective at killing adult insects. Oral flea treatments also include Nexgard, Bravecto and Comfortis.
   • Bravecto tablets begin to kill fleas 2 hours after ingestion, and their effect lasts 12 weeks.
   • Nexgard tablets kill fleas within 6 hours, and also protect animals from various types of helminths.
5. 5 Add apple cider vinegar to your pet's water. You can add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) apple cider vinegar (or distilled white vinegar) to your dog's bowl of water. Use one tablespoon for every 18 kilograms of your dog's weight. For example, if your pet weighs 36 kilograms, add 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) to the water. If the dog weighs 9 kilograms, add ½ tablespoon (7.5 milliliters) of vinegar.
   • Keep in mind that apple cider vinegar is also good for your dog's skin and coat.
6. 6 Consider giving your dog nutritional supplements. There are various nutritional supplements for dogs that repel fleas and help prevent infestation. However, not all of them are the same for all dogs, so try giving a certain nutritional supplement for one month and if nothing changes, then it probably won't help.
   • Garlic. Give your dog garlic, raw (crushed) or in capsule form, to prevent flea infestations. Large dogs can be given 1 clove, medium dogs ½ cloves, small dogs ¼ cloves of garlic.The dosage of the capsules can be calculated based on the standard dose for a person weighing 70 kilograms.
   • Vitamin B Complex Your dog may be given a herbal B Vitamin Complex on a regular basis. Dosage depends on the size of the animal and the recommended dose for humans. You can also give your dog brewer's yeast, which contains vitamin B1.
   • Be aware that some dogs are allergic to brewer's yeast. Check with your veterinarian before giving brewer's yeast to your pet.
7. 7 Brush your dog to prevent fleas. To do this, you will need one fresh lemon, cut into slices, some clean water, and a comb, brush, or sponge. Place the lemon slices in a small saucepan, cover them with water and bring to a boil. When the water boils, remove the pan from the heat, cover and set aside overnight. The next day, dip a comb, brush, or sponge in the water and comb the dog's fur.
   • Choose a comb, brush, or sponge based on your pet's coat type and length. Take what works best.
8. 8 Make a homemade flea spray. This spray is good because it not only repels parasites, but also makes the dog's coat more beautiful! You will need 1 cup (250 ml) distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, 1 liter of pure water, 2-3 drops of cedarwood or lavender essential oil, and an empty spray bottle. Pour all three liquids (vinegar, essential oil, and water) into the bottle and shake well to mix. Spray the solution onto the dog.
   • It doesn't matter what kind of vinegar you use. You can use either white or apple cider vinegar, although the latter has a nicer smell. You can also mix both types of vinegar if you are missing one of them, as long as the result is 1 cup, or 250 milliliters.
   • Although essential oil can be dispensed with, it will give the solution a more pleasant scent.
   • Do not spray the solution into your dog's eyes, nose, and ears. It is better not to spray it on the animal's face at all, but to gently apply it with a towel or sponge.
   • You can also spray the solution onto your dog's bedding to keep fleas from getting in there.
9. 9 Make a flea bag. To do this, you will need the following: two 15-centimeter square trims of highly breathable fabric, a handful of cedar sawdust, 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 milliliters) of dried lavender buds, and a lemon peel. Sew two squares of fabric together along three sides to create a pouch. Fill it with cedar shavings, lavender buds, and lemon peel. Tie the bag with a ribbon or string and place it on the dog's bedding or wherever your pet is often. Change the mixture in the bag to a new one every 1-2 months.
   • If you want to try this method but don't know how to sew, you can purchase a pre-made bag made of breathable material.

Method 2 of 3: Removing fleas from your dog

1. 1 Monitor your dog's health. As with preventing other health problems, it is best to keep your pet strong and healthy. This means that your dog should eat the right amount of healthy food, be active enough, experience as little stress as possible, and feel a lot of love on your part.
   • Perhaps fleas sense which dog is sick and which is healthy, and prefer sick animals (they are "tastier" for them). Monitor your pet's health to reduce the risk of flea infestation and, if necessary, eliminate these parasites.
2. 2 Spray your dog's coat with a mixture of olive oil and essential oil. Dissolve 10 drops of an essential oil in 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil, pour the mixture into a spray bottle, and spray your dog with this flea repellent. Like some other remedies, it doesn't work for all dogs. If you do not see any improvement after 3-4 weeks, stop using this method.
   • You can use cedarwood, tea tree, citronella, lavender, eucalyptus, and mint oil.
   • Be aware that eucalyptus and mint oil are toxic to cats. Cats do not tolerate certain essential oils. If you have a cat in your home, choose a method that doesn't require essential oils.
3. 3 Bathe your dog at least once a week. If your pet is already infected with fleas and you are trying to get rid of them, bathe him at least once a week. When doing this, use an insecticide-free shampoo or soap, or an unscented hypoallergenic shampoo. Shampoos and soaps with fewer additives help avoid drying out of the animal's skin due to frequent bathing. Thoroughly rinse off any remaining shampoo or soap from your dog.
   • If you are unsure of which brand of shampoo or soap to use, check with your veterinarian or pet store dealer. Sometimes a suitable shampoo can be purchased directly from your veterinarian.
4. 4 Brush your dog with a flea comb daily. Try to do this as often as possible and note how effective the treatment is. Pay special attention to the animal's tail, belly and muzzle. Try to comb out not only adult fleas, but also their eggs (they look like tiny white dots) and excrement (in the form of small black dots).
   • If you find fleas, comb them out with a comb and dip it in a glass of water. The water will kill the parasites and their eggs.
   • Remember that flea excrement is made up primarily of dog blood. If they get into the water, they can turn it dark brown or even red. Don't worry about this. This actually helps determine that you are indeed dealing with flea poop.
5. 5 Don't let your dog roam around the house. If your pet is infested with fleas, restrict its freedom of movement around the house. Flea eggs can easily settle on upholstered furniture and carpets and lie there for a long time until they find themselves in a favorable environment (for example, they fall back on a dog). Try to keep the animal in contact with soft furniture, fabrics and carpets as little as possible (in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, hallway, etc.) until you get rid of fleas.

Method 3 of 3: Keeping fleas at home and outdoors

1. 1 Keep order on the personal plot. Fleas and their eggs can hide in tall grass, fallen leaves, and other cluttered areas. To prevent this from happening, keep your yard clean and trim the grass short. This is especially important in areas where your pet is often.
2. 2 Spray the area in front of your home with an aqueous solution of diatomaceous earth (diatomaceous earth). This powder is a fine calcium dust of diatomite, formed from fossil unicellular oceanic algae. Only use diatomaceous earth that is marked as suitable for food purposes. The powder can be diluted in water (for example, in a watering can) and sprayed with it on grass, paths, sidewalks, paving stones, verandas and even flower beds. Pay special attention to the places where your pet is often.
   • The diatomaceous earth solution dries out flea eggs and prevents adult parasites from breathing, thereby killing them.
   • If you live in a humid climate, you can spray the area with diatomaceous earth solution every two months.
   • If you live in dry climates, the powder solution can be used less frequently, such as once every 3-4 months.
   • Remember to wear a face shield when handling diatomaceous earth powder, as it can irritate the lungs.
   • You can buy diatomaceous earth powder from your garden supply store or online. It is widely used to control other pests.
3. 3 Use a garden hose to spray where your dog is often. Fleas and their eggs drown in water. You can use a generous hose to water where your dog is often, such as his kennel, playground, favorite sleeping area, and so on. Just fill them with water.
4. 4 Wash and vacuum the floor often. To kill fleas and their eggs inside the house, you need to do regular cleaning. Try to wash hard surfaces (parquet, tiles, etc.) as often as possible. Pay special attention to cracks and crevices in the floor where fleas can hide. Carpets and rugs should also be vacuumed daily to remove any parasites and their eggs that may have fallen off the dog.
   • To make your job easier and to prevent flea infestations, it may be easier to remove carpets and rugs altogether during a dangerous season. Clean them thoroughly before storing and then again when you take them out again.
   • It is advisable to vacuum not only carpets and rugs, but also nearby upholstered furniture (sofas, couches, armchairs, pillows, etc.).
   • If you are using a dustbag vacuum cleaner, you can remove the bag after cleaning and freeze it to kill collected fleas. If you do not do this, the fleas in the bag will remain alive.
5. 5 Clean your dog's bedding properly at least once a week. If the litter is small, you can machine wash it weekly in hot water and a mild detergent. If the bedding is large and will not fit in the washing machine, you can soak it in a bath of water and vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. If the litter is so large that both methods are unsuitable, you can vacuum it thoroughly.
6. 6 Hire a steam cleaner. If flea infestation is serious or has receded but you want to eradicate every last parasite, consider contacting a steam cleaning company. Ask to use only hot steam to clean floors, furniture, and dog bedding. Remember to move the pieces of furniture to clean underneath.

Warnings

• Check with your veterinarian before changing your dog's diet or giving medication. This is especially important if your pet suffers from any chronic illness or allergy.