Tackling the Flea Problems With Your Dog

By Avrum Elmakis

When your dog has fleas, it can make everyone in your home miserable. They cling to your dog's coat, biting him and sucking his blood throughout the day. Then, the fleas lay hundreds of eggs. Some remain on your dog while others drop to the floor and become nestled into the carpet. When they hatch, more fleas emerge and the cycle begins anew. Over time, your home can literally become infested, making the environment practically unlivable. In this article, we'll explain how to identify when your dog has fleas and what to do to get rid of them.

Identifying Fleas

When a home is infested with fleas, they're easy to identify. A quick walk through the house will result in dozens of them perched on your pant legs. However, recognizing that your dog has them is more difficult because they're small. If you notice that your dog is scratching himself continuously, inspect his coat. You'll need to look closely because fleas typically move toward dark, hidden areas in a dog's coat. They'll hide under the fur, around his collar, or even on his underside.

Keep in mind that fleas are brown, making them difficult to find if your dog has a dark coat. But, even if you don't see them initially, there may be signs of their presence. They leave black, pepper-like fecal matter throughout your dog's coat.

Eliminating Fleas

If you find them or the black fecal matter they leave behind, you should take immediate action to get rid of them. Fleas multiply quickly due to their penchant for laying hundreds of eggs. If you wait, you'll run the risk of an infestation in your home.

There are a few approaches to getting rid of them. A common mistake is to simply treat the dog, neglecting the eggs that have already been laid. The problem is that while the treatments are capable of killing the fleas, the eggs (many of which will have fallen to the carpet in your home) will hatch and new fleas will reclaim their territory.

Your veterinarian can provide oral medications that will effectively kill the eggs, so that new fleas will not be able to infest your dog again. At the same time that your dog is taking the medications, use a treatment that will kill the existing fleas. You can find several good options at your local pet supply store. Finally, wash the bedding on which your dog sleeps and vacuum your home thoroughly.

Fleas can quickly grow from a nuisance to a nightmare. But, once you identify them, they can be eliminated. The key is finding them early and making sure that you get rid of the eggs.

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