Why do my dogs keep itcing and scratching days after their flea treatment?

Question

stop the itch, please

Answer 1

Because fleas bite. The bites don't immediately heal when the fleas are dead.

Answer 2

First of all, what flea treatment are you using?

Do you mean your dogs itch MORE after applying treament? The excess itching most likely means it's irritant to their skin - if it's a product from a pet shop or supermarket be especially beware because they can cause worse than itching. If you just mean they carry on itching the same, the fleas don't always die instantly, depending on the product or, if it's from a shop, they're probably not dying at all.

You need to be using something from a vet - Frontline, Stronghold or Advantage. Switch flea products, and make it a switch to one of these three - they're all different drugs, so if you have a slight problem with one you should be OK with another. Get a vet to advise.

Chalice

Answer 3

Depends on the treatment. You need one that kills eggs too. And there could still be fleas in your carpet, couch, yard, etc. If the dog isnt on a repellant, then they will keep getting fleas.

Also, some dogs have a stronger reaction to the bites then others, just like people. Its like getting a mosquito bite, in some people it itches for an hour then goes away, in others it itches for days.

If the dog seems really miserable, try giving him/her a benadryl pill. Roughly 1 mg per pound of dog. The pills are 25 mg, so if it is a small dog, give him/her half a pill, bigger dogs may need one or two. Dont be shocked if he/she sleeps alot after the pill. It might make them groggy, but it curbs the itching. Its been recommended to me by several vets and Ive used it on all my dogs to help allergies and itching from flea bites until the bites heal.

Answer 4

The reason why is most likely the treament is not strong enough so you may want to try a different one also try doing other things such as giving them baths or buying a flea collar. If there is alot of fleas it may take longer to get rid of also the fleas may come back because there are some where were the dog goes!

Answer 5

Maybe they have dry skin or allergies to grass or something; maybe something in their diet or lacking in their diet. Do they get enough fats? not to much grain in the dry food? Maybe it's the flea treatment you are using. I have found that soaps or shampoos don't do the job. I Get good results with either Frontline or Advantage though.
Good luck. Itching and scratching can be as irritating to people as it is to the animals.

Answer 6

I've never had a bath or flea collar be very effective. I use the Frontline or similar long acting product. Never a flea on the pet. When a pets has fleas, I always get bit, too.

No bites on me in years.

Answer 7

If you used something like FRONTLINE Plus
it should have killed up to 100% of existing fleas in less than 24 hours, Continues killing fleas for an entire month or more, Remains waterproof for 30 days, even if your dog or cat swims or is bathed

You may still have fleas in your home that will eventualy die as they land on your dog. You may want to try a Room Fogger, kills adult and pre-adult fleas to prevent reinfestation for up to 210 days.

Answer 8

Perhaps it is just reflex or he has gotten used to scratching. Do you ever scratch your head? Do you have fleas - no, but you do scratch your head occasionally don't you? Your dog will do the same thing. Probably not a problem.

Answer 9

What kind of flea treatment did you give him? If it was just a flea dip or bath that won't help. You need to use frontline.

Answer 10

I would imagine it would take more then one treatment (bath) to get rid of them for good. Also it need tome to wear in and get all the new fleas.