Pest Control: Best Flea Treatments for Dogs

Fleas are unwelcome guests that can plague your dog and your home. If left untreated, a flea infestation can make your beloved dog suffer. Luckily there are many different treatments on the market to combat, prevent, and eliminate these parasites.

We have no doubt you love your dog and want to do what’s best for them. To find the best flea treatment for your beloved pooch, you should educate yourself on which flea treatment is effective and, more importantly, safe.

Want to know more? Check out the rest of the article below.

Why use a flea treatment for dogs?

Fleas can cause several conditions when left untreated. As your dog’s caregiver, it is your responsibility to treat them as soon as possible.

Tapeworms

If your dog ingests a flea infected with tapeworm eggs, it will cause a tapeworm infection. The tapeworm egg will mature into an adult tapeworm inside your dog’s intestinal tract. They can grow up to several feet. Tapeworms hook onto your dog’s small intestine and absorb nutrients as they pass through the digestive tract, causing a nutritional deficiency and weight loss.

If your dog is infected, it may seem extremely hungry and extremely tired. A tapeworm infection can also cause constipation or diarrhea. Tapeworms look like small white “worms.” You will be able to see them in your dog’s stool if they are present.

Flea-Bite Anemia

Like us, dogs can become anemic from too much blood loss. Any dog can develop flea-bite anemia. However, small dogs and puppies are more susceptible because they have smaller volumes of blood. Elderly and sick dogs are also more susceptible to flea-bite anemia because they can’t manufacture blood cells as quickly as healthy dogs. If your dog has pale gums, weakness, or lethargy, take them to the vet; serious cases of flea-bite anemia can be fatal.

Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD)

Some dogs are severely allergic to flea saliva. This will represent itself as excessive licking, scratching, and biting around the groin, tail, or backside. As a result, your dog will develop scabs and sores. TIn addition, they may rip out their hair until they have bare skin. Flea allergy dermatitis can cause bacterial skin infections and raw and inflamed skin.

Things to consider when buying flea treatment for dogs

There are hundreds of flea treatment products on the market. To choose the best one for your fur baby, you should consider the following factors.

How long the product lasts

Find out how long the product remains effective and how often you will need to replace it. You may find a cheap product needs to be reapplied more often than others, costing you more money in the long run. Also, applying flea treatment can be stressful for your dog. The fewer times this needs to be done, the better.

How quickly the product begins working

If a product starts working quickly, it means your dog will spend less time suffering. So find a product that gets to work as quickly as possible.

Ease and convenience of application

There are various ways in which flea prevention treatment and flea treatment can be applied to your dog. Do some research and think about the least stressful way to apply the treatment for your dog.

It kills fleas on contact or only after they bite

If your dog is allergic to flea bites, you should buy a product that kills the fleas on contact. If buying a product that kills the fleas on contact, ensure the ingredients are safe for your dog to ingest, as they will still lick and clean themselves.

Pet age and weight requirements

The amount of flea treatment you use on your dog is dependent on its age and weight. Some treatments are only suitable for animals over a certain age. Also, a larger dog may need more flea treatment than a smaller dog. Always read the “how to use” instructions. Read these before you buy the product. If you find that you need to buy several packs of flea treatment when using a certain type of flea treatment, you should try an alternative product.

Waterproof and/or water-resistant

If you have the option, choose a flea treatment that is waterproof or water-resistant. Your dog will get wet and muddy when you take them for a walk. This is the time when your dog is the most likely to catch fleas, so you must provide a treatment that can withstand harsh weather conditions.

Type of treatment

There are several types of flea treatment applications. Some will be better suited to your dog than others.

Flea collars

are worn by your dog at all times and not only treat a flea infestation but also prevent them from coming back. Therefore, it is important to note when the flea collar will lose its potency so you know when to replace it.

Flea drops

are placed onto the back of the neck of your dog, so they cannot lick it off. The drops are absorbed and released through the sebaceous gland, poisoning the fleas. This can be used as a preventative measure as well as an effective treatment.

Flea pills

are taken orally and poison fleas through your dog’s bloodstream. Flea pills are an effective preventative treatment against fleas.

Flea sprays

are sprayed over your dog’s body. Flea sprays have different formulas, but most contain an insecticide to kill the fleas and a hormone growth regulator to kill the eggs. Flea sprays should only be used when infected and not as a preventative measure.

Flea shampoos

are used to treat an existing flea infestation and are not usually used to prevent one. Flea shampoos kill the existing fleas on your dog after one wash, but your dog can still get reinfected once the shampoo has washed off.

Flea treatment for dogs price range

You can buy fleas treatment for as little as $3 lasting up to 4 weeks. However, you can easily pay up to $60 for 6 months of protection. Always remember to buy vet-recommended products with good reviews.

FAQs

Q: Can I use various flea treatments at once?
A: Never use various flea treatments at once without consulting with your vet. Some flea treatments are safe to use together; however, some are in the same class of medications, leading to a build-up of toxic levels.

Q: What should I not use for flea treatment?
A: You may have read on the internet that garlic and tea tree oil act as an effective flea treatment for your dog. However, these ingredients should be avoided as they can be toxic to your beloved pet.