Haemobartonellosis<\/strong> \u2014 both ticks and fleas carry this disease. The bacteria invade and disrupt red blood cells and prevent them from providing enough oxygen to the tissue.<\/p>\nShould I Choose an Oral or Topical Dog Flea Medicine?<\/h3>\n
First things first, you need to determine which type of treatment is best suited for your dog. There are topicals, chews, shampoos, sprays, etc., literally hundreds of products. Now, every dog is different, so you should mainly consider their lifestyle, age, and whether they\u2019re pregnant or not when deciding on the treatment.<\/p>\n
All flea treatment categories are good, but here\u2019s what each of them is best used for:<\/p>\n
Collars<\/h4>\n
Collars prevent and keep fleas off of your pet. They\u2019re great for puppies and dogs who are just starting to socialize or like to wander around and play outside, where they\u2019re most likely to pick up fleas.<\/p>\n
Pet parents love them, and for a good reason too! The best flea and tick collar for dogs will be easy to use and will stay on no matter what after you put them. On top of that, the flea poison lasts for months, so you don\u2019t have to mess around with topicals and chewables every day.<\/p>\n
Topicals<\/h4>\n
Topical treatments are the most common flea treatments. They\u2019re popular because they\u2019re easy to apply and are super effective. They usually kill ticks and mosquitoes, as well. Topicals are best for fast action and are vet-recommended.<\/p>\n
Oral Treatment<\/h4>\n
Tablets and pills are usually recommended for dogs that already have fleas. The\u00a0best chewable flea treatment for dogs\u00a0is tasty (just like your traditional dog treats), yet effective at killing parasites.<\/p>\n
Shampoos<\/h4>\n
Flea shampoos, too, are made for dogs that are already infested with these annoying pests. They\u2019re specially designed for killing fleas while cleansing your dog\u2019s coat and relieving their skin from nasty itches. However, you need to use them often.<\/p>\n
Sprays<\/h4>\n
Another product for already infested dogs is a flea spray. Much like shampoos, flea sprays kill pests while maintaining your dog\u2019s coat shiny and healthy.<\/p>\n
Most of them are waterproof and last about a month. The best ones can also be used on pet beddings and around your home.<\/p>\n
Powders<\/h4>\n
Flea powders are designed to kill parasites directly on contact. They\u2019re a safe flea treatment for dogs. You can sprinkle them on your pet\u2019s fur, bedding, carpets, and other infested areas.\u00a0There are even powders that can be sprinkled on pet food, too.<\/p>\n
You should consult your vet before buying the treatment to minimize the risk of an allergic reaction. Also, you shouldn\u2019t use flea treatments designed for other animals. Treatments designed for felines can be toxic to dogs and vice versa.<\/p>\n
You should always follow the manufacturer\u2019s instructions and your vet\u2019s recommendations.<\/p>\n
Even the\u00a0Best Dog Flea Treatment\u00a0Has a Protection Period<\/h3>\n
You should consider the protection period of the product you choose for your dog. Collars usually protect the longest. Topicals can protect your dog for up to a month, while oral treatments provide only short-term protection.<\/p>\n
Waterproof Is Important<\/h3>\n
If you decide on a topical treatment, choose a waterproof one whenever possible. This will ensure that your dog is fully protected and that the medicine is effective even if you bathe your dog.<\/p>\n
Multifuncional Products Are Lifesavers<\/h3>\n
Some flea treatments kill other parasites as well. So multifunctionality isn\u2019t an essential feature for pet treatments. Still, it\u2019s nice to protect your dog from ticks, mosquitoes, and lice too, and keep the pest situation under control.<\/p>\n
Safety<\/h3>\n
The safety and effectiveness of a particular flea treatment are essential. Before buying a product, make sure it\u2019s tested and safe for your dog. Be sure always to check the ingredients and customer reviews first.<\/p>\n
Frequency of Treatment Application<\/h3>\n
How often you\u2019ll apply the treatment depends on the treatment itself and the manufacturer.<\/p>\n
Collars<\/strong>, for example, provide the most extended protection \u2014 up to several months. They\u2019re also an excellent preventative measure.<\/p>\nTopicals<\/strong>\u00a0offer protection 15\u201390 days after their application. Yet, the flea poison needs to be absorbed through the skin, which means it takes them a bit longer to start working.<\/p>\nChewables<\/strong>\u00a0are by far the newest and\u00a0most effective flea treatment for dogs,\u00a0and you should administer them about once a month, depending on the brand.<\/p>\nTreatment frequency also depends on where you live. If you live in areas where fleas are active all year round, you\u2019ll have to keep your pet protected at all times. On the other hand, if you live where fleas are only a seasonal occurrence, you should give your dog flea treatment only a couple of times per year.<\/p>\n
Prescription Flea Treatment for Dogs\u00a0and Other Medication<\/h3>\n
We understand that you may want to mix your dog\u2019s flea treatment with some other medication to enhance the effects. However, this isn\u2019t recommended, as no one can tell what side-effects combined medications can give.<\/p>\n
Now, if your dog is already on some medication, but you need to give them flea treatment, too, we can\u2019t stress this enough \u2014 talk to your vet. They\u2019ll know which medication and treatments can be combined, and they understand drug interactions and effects a lot better than you do (or us, for that matter).<\/p>\n
Homemade Flea Treatments<\/h3>\n
Using an all-natural treatment is excellent and all, but we don\u2019t recommend DIY-ing it. However, our best dog flea treatment reviews include natural products, too, so check it out.<\/p>\n
Making your own treatment is dangerous as you can mix ingredients that are usually harmless to your dog, yet combined can cause allergies, for instance. On the other hand, products on the market are tried and tested and won\u2019t harm your pet as long as you follow the instructions.<\/p>\n
Flea Treatments for Sensitive Skin and Allergies<\/h3>\n
Your dog may be sensitive or allergic to some of the ingredients \u2014 even in the all-natural ones. Moreover, if you\u2019ve been using a specific treatment for a long time, they may develop sensitivity.<\/p>\n
Their skin can become tender, sore, and inflamed, so ask your vet to recommend another treatment.<\/p>\n
Natural Treatment or Chemical Treatment<\/h3>\n
Both are great, so it basically comes down to your choice. Our list includes only the top-rated, safest, and tried and tested chemical and natural products. Hence, it\u2019s up to you to decide.<\/p>\n
If you have a more severe flea problem, chemical treatments may offer a faster solution, but both categories work well.<\/p>\n
The Treatment Isn\u2019t Working \u2013 It Must Be Bad<\/h3>\n
There are a million factors that can influence the efficiency of the treatment. A proper application may sound simple enough, but it\u2019s often the main reason the treatment isn\u2019t working.<\/p>\n
Therefore, be sure that you\u2019re applying the\u00a0vet prescribed flea treatment for dogs\u00a0the right way. Read the instructions carefully and pay attention to the correct dosage.<\/p>\n
You have to treat all the animals in your home, not just the ones that go outside. Moreover, you have to clean your home too, to get rid of each and every flea, their eggs, larvae, and pupae. It also takes lots of time to get rid of these pests, so be persistent and don\u2019t give up!<\/p>\n
Best Prevention Flea Treatment for Dogs\u00a0\u2014 Tips and Practices<\/h3>\n
Using aggressive, yet effective (and safe), treatments for your dog is excellent. But nevertheless, if you don\u2019t do something about your home and the surrounding environment, you\u2019ll be facing fleas, and who-knows-what, time and again.<\/p>\n
Here are some tips on what you should do to prevent fleas at home:<\/p>\n
\n- Clean your backyard.<\/strong>\u00a0Fleas love hiding in cracks and crevices where there\u2019s lots of moisture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Spray your backyard with a pesticide that\u2019s safe for your family, your dog, and the environment. Mow your lawn regularly and keep the shrubs well-spaced and tidy to prevent infestation.<\/p>\n
\n- Safeguard your property.<\/strong>\u00a0Put up fences to prevent feral animals from entering your yard and infecting your pet.<\/li>\n
- Consider professional help.<\/strong>\u00a0Buying the\u00a0best flea treatment for cats and dogs\u00a0is all fine and dandy. However, you should still call a professional to clean your home thoroughly to ensure that no fleas are left behind.<\/li>\n
- Use a pet hair vacuum.<\/strong>\u00a0Also, clean and mop your floors and other surfaces to remove flea eggs, larvae, pupae, and adult fleas. Leave no space untouched, especially dark places \u2014 fleas just love those.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Also, be sure to throw out the vacuum bag after each use.<\/p>\n
\n- Wash the beddings regularly.<\/strong>\u00a0And your dog\u2019s toys too. Leave everything in the sun until it\u2019s completely dry. This should kill any remaining fleas.<\/li>\n
- Avoid certain ecosystems.<\/strong>\u00a0Keep your dog away from fleas\u2019 natural habitats. That includes tall grasses, woods, decaying leaves, overgrown shrubs, etc.<\/li>\n
- Check your dog for fleas daily.<\/strong>\u00a0Even if you\u2019re using the best and\u00a0newest flea treatment for dogs, check your pet every day. Inspect between their toes, in and around their ears, head, neck, their tail, and belly.<\/li>\n
- Act fast.<\/strong>\u00a0Do everything you can to prevent your dog from getting fleas. If they still pick them up, act as quickly as you can and start treating your pet and thoroughly clean your home.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n
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How long after flea treatment can I bathe my dog?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n
The most common question among pet owners, yet the answer depends greatly on the product itself. When it comes to oral treatment, you can bathe your pup whenever you want as the treatment isn\u2019t affected by water in any way.<\/p>\n
However, when it comes to topicals, powders, and similar products, you should follow the brand\u2019s specific instructions. For example, with Advantage, you have to wait for 24 hours before bathing your dog. With some other products you can bathe them after just two hours have elapsed. We recommend you wait 24\u201348 hours, just to be sure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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How often can you put flea medicine on a dog?<\/i><\/h3>\n\n
Again, the answer depends on the treatment you choose.<\/p>\n
\n- Shampoos are effective for soothing your dog\u2019s skin, but they only work while you\u2019re shampooing your pet, so you have to use them frequently and team them up with another product.<\/li>\n
- Flea sprays are longer-lasting. They should be applied every few days or weeks, depending on the brand.<\/li>\n
- Tablets, pills, and chews are fast-acting, but you\u2019ll need to re-administer them to your dog every couple of days (up to a month), depending on the brand.<\/li>\n
- Topical\/Spot-on treatments last about a month or more, also depending on the brand.<\/li>\n
- Collars are the longest-lasting of all treatments. They start working the moment you put them on your pet and last for months.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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What happens if you put cat flea medicine on a dog and vice versa?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n
Some flea treatments are designed to work both on cats and dogs. If this is the case, it will be clearly marked on the packaging. However, using flea treatments on the wrong animals can cause serious health issues and even death.<\/p>\n
Cats should never, under no circumstances, come in direct contact with dog flea treatment. Not only is canine flea treatment more potent, but it also has insecticides that are toxic to felines. Cats can\u2019t metabolize those pesticides. Hence, they get poisoned.<\/p>\n
Poisoning symptoms include hyperexcitability, drooling, tremor, twitching, depression, seizures, vomiting, loss of coordination, and worse \u2014 death.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve accidentally put\u00a0topical flea treatment for dogs\u00a0on your cat,\u00a0reviews\u00a0say you should:<\/p>\n
\n- Bathe them as quickly as possible with mild soap to strip their skin of toxins. If you notice any symptoms, skip this step and go to the nearest emergency vet immediately.<\/li>\n
- Rush them to the emergency vet, where they\u2019ll thoroughly cleanse your pet with specialized decontaminates. If your cat has absorbed toxins, the vet will give them medications that will stop their body from processing them.<\/li>\n
- Monitor your cat for any symptoms or changes in behavior for the next couple of days, and revisit the vet if you notice anything strange.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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How long does it take for fleas to die after flea treatment?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n
Spot on treatments and collars kill fleas on contact. On the contrary, oral treatment and some topicals need some time as they\u2019re active in your pet\u2019s bloodstream. This means that a flea has to bite your dog for it to get poisoned and die. Oral treatment usually takes two hours to a day to kill fleas.<\/p>\n
You should note that a fleas\u2019 life cycle consists of the egg, the larvae, the pupae, and the adult stage. Flea treatments kill mostly adult fleas, so you have to repeat the treatment a couple of times to remove them altogether.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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How long do you have to wait to wash a dog after flea treatment?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n
The answer depends on the brand of treatment you\u2019re using. Be sure to follow the brand\u2019s specific instructions and guidance. However, our recommendation is the same as with bathing \u2014 wait for at least 24\u201348 hours before washing your dog.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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What is dog flea medicine and how does it work?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n
Dog flea medicines are unique treatments for your pet designed to prevent flea infestation while protecting your dog\u2019s overall health.<\/p>\n
Each treatment category is efficient but works differently:<\/p>\n