How To Deal With Fleas on Dogs and In The Home
Doggy Day Care at the Willows
A flea infestation is a real nuisance and can cause significant irritation to both your furry friend and your family. There are typical signs to watch out for when you suspect your pet has fleas. We look at how to deal with dog fleas and how to clean your home after your canine companion has been treated.
Spotting signs of dog fleas
There are different types of fleas for both humans and dogs, however, this type of parasite can sometimes infest another species. Once they have infested your pet, they can bite, mate, and lay eggs within 24 – 48 hours so a fast response is essential.
Below are common signs of when a dog has fleas:
- Excessive scratching and grooming
- Loss of fur, irritated skin and small red bumps
- Tiny dark brown moving flecks within the dog’s coat (fleas)
- Small black specks on your dog’s skin or fur (flea dirt)
- Unexplained insect bites on you or your family
Dogs are susceptible to fleas, so the first way to check is to groom them with a flea comb. This fine-toothed comb will pick up any fleas and/or flea dirt and should be used daily if your dog has fleas to help remove them.
One top tip from the RSPCA is to hold the comb over a piece of white paper or kitchen towel and add a few drops of water. Look at the colour and if it changes to a reddish brown, then your dog is likely to have fleas. Giving your dog a regular groom will also help you spot the first signs of a flea infestation.
How to treat dog fleas
There are specific flea treatments that you can get from your local vet. It’s always best to speak to your vet in the first instance, especially if your dog has any existing health conditions. Flea treatments can be easily applied at home, and it’s important to treat your dog as soon as possible to reduce them from spreading.
There are also a range of flea ‘baths’ with approved shampoos and sprays, which can give your dog some instant relief.
Cleaning your house after fleas
Once you’ve treated your dog, you’ll need to thoroughly clean your house afterwards to get rid of any fleas, larvae or eggs. First, vacuum your entire home, which includes furniture upholstery and skirting boards. Always throw out any vacuum dust after hoovering to avoid the risk of flea eggs and larvae from hatching. Fleas are incredibly resilient and can live in a variety of conditions within the home.
Wash all bedding on a high temperature – your dog’s and your own – and any clothing you’ve recently worn when playing with your furry friend. Put any soft toys they like to chew in the washing machine too, in case of any unwanted inhabitants.
Check your dog before bringing to day care
At Doggy Daycare at the Willows, we ask our customers to regularly check their dogs for fleas. If you suspect that your dog has fleas, please keep them at home until they have been fully treated. If you have any questions, just ask our trained Doggy Daycare Assistants.
Find out more about our doggy day care services – get in touch for a chat with our team.
If you have any questions about our doggy daycare service or you’d like to bring your dog along for a visit, get in touch to speak to our team.
Thank you for reading our latest blog, How To Deal With Fleas on Dogs and In The Home.
Sources:
https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/general/fleas
https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/how-to-handle-fleas-on-dogs