how can i treat fleas on my dog?

Question

i just found out that my dog has fleas and the dog shampoo doesn't work that well. what should i do??? and how many times do you have to bath a dog with fleas??? or can i just use laundry soap???

Answer 1

you need to use a product containing pyrethrins. laundry soap isn't for dogs, and does not kill fleas... follow the directions on the flea shampoo label, which usually says you must leave the soapy product on the dog for at least 10 minutes before rinsing.

if you have flea eggs in your house, the dog will become reinfested.

meanwhile, fleas are host to tapeworms, so you might consider a visit to the vet. you can buy "flea drops" (Advantage is one) which are a monthly treatment you apply between the dog's shoulderblades, directly to their skin. This can be obtained through the vet, or at many local pet supply stores -- or www.canadavet.com (cheaper source). These applications continually kill fleas, and hatching fleas which might come into contact with your pet.

if you have a flea problem you might want to dust or spray your yard, deck and areas outside your entry doors.

your dog also needs a yearly vet check and its immunizations.

Answer 2

You can buy flea shampoo at the petstore. Do not use laundry soap or human shampoo, as they are not designed to be used on dogs. Flea baths only kill the fleas on the dog then and there, they do not prevent fleas from jumping on the dog after the bath.

Use Advantage, Advantix, or Frontline every 3-4 weeks. They won't kill the flea the second it jumps on the dog, it may take up to a day for the flea to ingest the medicine and die.

Flea collars do not work so don't bother. They are toxic if they get wet anyway.

You also have to treat the yard, furniture, and house. Fleas only go on the dog for food, they live in the carpet, draperies, fabric, and grass. You can buy powders or sprays to treat these areas.

Answer 3

well, all dog owners share that same dilemna when we discover that our beloved pet has fleas, ticks or any type of parasite. First of all, DO NOt, I repeat DO NOT USE LAUNDRY SOAP! as it may remove the natural oil of the fur.
And yes, dog shampoo doesnt work that well. What I usually do to my Lab is to leave the shampoo for 5-10 mins and when I rinse it off, some of the fleas are dead while others still hop happily on my dog's back.So I usually bathe him twice a week to eradicate them but to no avail.
But Theres a VERY VERY amazing product that I strongly recommend, FRONTLINE Plus offers the long-lasting, most complete flea and tick control available, killing up to 100% of fleas on your pet within 18 hours and up to 100% of ticks on your pet within 48 hours. Best of all, research confirms that FRONTLINE products work for an entire month to help keep your pet flea-free. I've tried it on my lab, even stubborn ticks were dead upon biting him. Also frontline is absorbed by the sebaceous glands so you can bathe your dog anytime. hope this helps!

Answer 4

I don't think you can keep the fleas away for free.... unless you want to wait until winter because the flea season is in summer. My dog ALWAYS get fleas in the summer, we shower her every week but doesn't help. The first year we used Advantage, didn't really help, but fleas were gone because winter was coming. This year we got her frontline plus. It's more water-resistance so the med stays on her for longer. I don't suggest you to get it from petco or petsmart because they are overpriced. Get it online where the price is cheaper.

I got them here. Search for coupon I believe they have 15% off and free shipping at the moment.
http://www.petsmedicine.info/

Answer 5

I think that it depends on what you like, what will work, and what you can afford.

Advantage: It for adult fleas

Frontline: Adult fleas and larvea and is waterproof, also for hooks and roundworms

Revolution: A bit more expensive but is used as a dewormer, heartworm preventative, and for fleas. You HAVE to make sure you part the hair and it makes direct skin contact.

advantix: the same as frontline

Advantage multi: the same as revolution

Capstar: will kill the adult fleas within 24 hours and then you have to give one of the monthly treatments listed above.

Answer 6

Don't use laundry soap it can burn the dog, their skin is sensitive. The vet has products that are more reliable then what u buy at the store. Plus make sure they aren't in your carpet or in your house because he will continue getting them.

Answer 7

either buy a flea collar or flea cream from a local pet store

Answer 8

Use Frontline plus - this will kill all fleas
You can also try a shampoo that has Neem as an ingrediant.

Answer 9

why does your dog have fleas, he should be taking a vet prescribed med for preventive purposes.

Answer 10

.frontline. the only thing that works!