Whats the best way to keep fleas off pets?

Answer 1

FRONTLINE PLUS - - one tube lasts 3 months. I start administering it in May, again in August & then I have a tube to start over again the next May. I do not like using the so called all-in-one products that are suppose to kill fleas, heartworms, foot fungus, whatever. Heartworm medication is not necessary in a lot of areas or states so I don't like to medicate for something unnecessarily. Anyway I use FRONTLINE PLUS for fleas. I also use cedar shavings in the dogs beds. Just be sure to change it as needed, when it looses it's smell.
What most people don't realize is that fleas do not live on the animals, they live in the environment, hitching a ride for a meal. That is why topical treatments work. They bite, then they die without laying hundreds of thousands of eggs first - - hopefully

Answer 2

Frontline Plus - you put this stuff on the dog/cat's neck (down between the shoulders), which is where the bloody things breed eggs. Once you put Frontline there, then you will notice your pet stops scratching so much.

Important thing about stuff like Frontline is to regularly apply it every 2 months.

Also, you can get an anti-flea spray, stuff to kill flea eggs and fleas. The vet or supermarket should have this. This is good for spraying the dog's/cat's bed with (or wherever your pet hangs around), to reduce chance of fleas living in the bed or in/on furniture (because those little buggers are everywhere).

If it's a dog, I recommend against letting the dog onto furniture (especially on beds).

For a cat, you can also get a flea collar for the cat, although I have found this isn't quite as effective as Frontline.

Try these things and see how you go, see which one works best for your pet.

Answer 3

When the fleas are getting too much, you can give your dog a massage treat, as well as sending those fleas packing. And the great thing about this massage oil is that it is chemical-free, so it is environmentally-friendly and dog-friendly too.

Steps
Check the ingredients list below and go shopping. Health food stores are most likely your best source for the ingredients.
Place the sunflower oil into a glass or ceramic bowl (metallic bowls may react with some of the ingredients).
Add all the essential oils and blend well. It's that easy - now you have the massage oil.
Find a place in your home where your dog feels comfortable. Your dog will be a little greasy after the massage, so make sure you are happy that the area is adequately protected from possible marks or stains.
Commence the massage with Fido. Gently massage the oil mixture into your dog's coat, using your fingertips.
Make sure that you massage all around the dog, even under its legs, ears and tail, as you want to avoid fleas finding an "island of safety".
Make sure also that your dog is enjoying the experience. He should not be whining! Generally dogs love a massage - it is both extreme attention from their beloved owner and it is comforting.
At the end of the massage, your dog may be a little greasy but will smell delicious to you and not to the fleas.
You will need to repeat this massage at least every two days for about a week until you can see the fleas decreasing.
Make sure that the massage is part of a concerted effort at eliminating the fleas, including washing the dog's bedding, mopping floor areas daily and vacuuming (empty the bag or contents into the garbage bin immediately after to remove the fleas from your house).



Tips
Use this time to bond with your dog. Talk to her gently and release your tensions of the day at the same time - massage is a precious and caring act.
Wash the dog's bedding in hot water to kill fleas. If the dog has a basket or similar bed, take it out into the sunshine and hose it down and let the sun do its job (fleas are at their worst in summertime, so this should not be a problem)
You can also feed Brewer's Yeast powder to your dog's diet (approx 25mg per 5 kg (11lb) bodyweight during the period that you are trying to eliminate the fleas



Warnings
Pennyroyal oil should not be used on pregnant dogs, or by pregnant women
Pennyroyal oil is highly toxic in high doses, so make sure it is only 1 drop that you use and leave the lid screwed on tightly and put the bottle out of the reach of children and pets; it is worth using, however, as it is the vital anti-flea ingredient
All essential oils should be handled with care as they all have a toxic potential if swallowed by children or pets; keep well-guarded and away from them
Essential oils should be stored in a dark, cool area to prevent them from going rancid



Things You'll Need
2 teaspoons of sunflower oil
2 drops orange oil
3 drops citronella oil
3 drops lemon oil
1 drop pennyroyal oil (see warnings above)

I use this on my dog and it really helps.

Answer 4

I find that the special flea stuff from the vets is the best (frontline). This guarantees that they will not be around for a month. However this can be quite expensive so you can put a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil in the bath and this should help.

Answer 5

I use Revolution on my 3 dogs and have never had a problem with fleas. You can get it from your vet.

But if you're after a home remedy I have a friend that swears by a vinegar rinse. After bathing your dog with a little bit of joy dishwashing detergent you give your dog a final rinse with 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water (don't rinse it off) the fleas don't like the smell of vinegar and will leave your dog alone.

Answer 6

I use an otc topical called Bio Spot. I've used it for over 10 yrs now on all my dogs and on all the rescues that I have had. These are all inside dogs.
It works! No fleas, no ticks, and no mosquitoe bites!

Answer 7

this is going to sound odd...

vacuum everything... carpet, furniture, your pet (lol)

use a flea killing shampoo about 2 times per week, and possibly a flea collar. (some collars warn against using with other chemicals in shampoos)

You have to be agressive in getting rid of them so that you will get their eggs off of the carpet, and out of your pets hair.

Vacuum, vacuum, wash pet, vacuum, wash pet, vacuum.

it'll probably take about 1-2 weeks depending on the size of your pet, size of the house, and how bad the infestation is.

Answer 8

Advantage and Frontline Plus (for dogs only) have worked the best in my experience. It depends on the pet you have.

Answer 9

(frontline flea & tick!) you get it at a vet & it works. There are others that work from a vet but supermarket flea powders etc dont work,I tried all of them & they really are useless

Answer 10

Frequent bathing (no more than 1x a month unless they get really dirty) and a dose of Frontline Plus monthly. "There ain't no bugs" on my 4 "muggs." (borrowed from K-9 Advantix***note about K-9, there have been tests that Advantix can be toxic to the pets and children, so please be careful)