Fleas in dogs

How does your dog get fleas?

A flea does not have the ability to jump from one animal to another. Consequently, dogs never become infected with fleas by having contact with other animals. However, infection does occur when your dog comes to a place where a pupated larva is ready to hatch and jump on an animal. This can happen both outside as well as in your home. If your pet suffers from fleas, it is important to treat the environment properly, as this is often where the main problem lies.

De-fleaing your dog

Dogs and fleas: they are not good friends. At least, the friendship has a one-way direction. Fleas truly love dog coats. Your dog, on the other hand, will only suffer from fleas. They cause itching and, in severe cases, being infected even leads to anaemia. Moreover, fleas can carry pathogens and can also cause itching and skin lesions in humans. This is why we always recommend preventive de-fleaing of dogs with anti-flea medication.

Anti-flea medicine for dogs

You are going to treat your dog with an anti-flea product. What options do you have? And which of the are most effective for you dog? We can inform and advice you. First of all, we will help you get started with an overview of different anti-flea products:

• Anti-flea collar
• Anti-flea spray
• Anti-flea drops
• Anti-flea tablet
• Anti-flea pipette
• Anti-flea shampoo

As you see, there are several ways to prevent and control fleas. Most people choose an anti-flea tablet or pipette (also called a spot-on product). You can purchase these products at our clinics.

Controlling dog fleas at home

Fleas are not confined to your dog’s fur; before you blink they are on your couch or in your carpet. They lay eggs and multiply rapidly. Therefore, it is important to not only treat your dog, but also clean your dog’s bed and the rest of the house. The most effective anti-flea treatment is vacuuming. Do you have carpets or cushions? Shake them out well (not in your house). Don’t forget to clean the vacuum cleaner thoroughly afterwards. You may also want to use an environmental spray against fleas (e.g. Indoor-X).

Combining flea treatment with deworming

De-worming is at least as important as de-fleaing. Here’s the thing: worms hide in the eggs of fleas. By the time the flea egg hatches, the worm can infect your dog with a bacteria or virus. By combining flea treatment and worm treatment, you significantly reduce that risk.

Is your dog still suffering from fleas? We are here for you!

Is your dog or puppy constantly being bothered by fleas despite flea control? Most likely your environment is seriously infected or you are not applying anti-flea medication properly. No worries: we are happy to help you solve this problem. Feel free to contact us!