When you live with a pet, it’s not uncommon for it to become infected with fleas at some point in its life. When the problem is tackled head-on at the first signs of infestation, it’s usually quite easy to get rid of them.
It’s essential not to wait for fleas to multiply. If you don’t, you could have bigger problems to deal with, such as a house-wide infestation, as well as the onset of illness and allergies in your pet.
What are the health risks of a flea infestation for your dog?
Although they may seem harmless to dogs, fleas can actually be a real danger to their health. Fleas feed on your pet’s blood, and when they bite, their saliva produces allergic inflammation on the animal’s skin. The animal then reacts by scratching and biting, which can lead to more serious lesions.
The dog also experiences considerable discomfort, mainly due to itching, which can cause a great deal of stress.
Fleas can also transmit an intestinal worm to the dog (Dipylidium caninum), which can then be transmitted to all household members. In this case, your dog will be very itchy around the anus. His stools will also be characteristic, and should contain small white larvae resembling wriggling grains of rice.
Why are preventive flea treatments so important?
For your pet’s comfort, it’s important to use preventive flea treatments all year round. Your pet is susceptible to fleas at any time, and this will help protect him.
It only takes one flea to create an entire colony. Fleas can lay an impressive number of eggs every day.
Good to know: it’s also possible to bring fleas into your home without realizing it. This is particularly the case when you bring home a contaminated textile such as a mattress, carpet or any second-hand fabric. Rigorous inspection is therefore essential to avoid accidental contamination.
What are the best ways to avoid a flea infestation at home?
Fleas can sometimes be found in the home, but not necessarily on your pets. To avoid flea infestations in your home, or to get rid of them, there are a few good habits you can adopt:
- Vacuum the floor daily, not forgetting carpets, upholstered furniture and every nook and cranny of the house.
- Thoroughly dust surfaces and take care not to leave dog hair lying around.
- If possible, use a steam cleaner on your surfaces to kill fleas and their eggs.
- Regularly machine wash all household textiles (at 60° minimum).
- Spray a repellent or insecticide in all areas likely to be contaminated.
This will avoid attracting fleas and make life more comfortable for everyone in the house.
How to clean your dog’s bed?
Regularly washing your dog’s bedding is an effective way of getting rid of fleas. Fleas like to hide in dark, quiet and dirty corners.
To do this, we recommend the following cleaning method:
- Shake out the dog’s basket daily and vacuum it to remove hair.
- Once a week, wash the basket in the washing machine at 60°, using a hypoallergenic detergent.
What are the best flea treatments?
There are many ways to get rid of fleas and free your dog from this parasite. Here are a few of the most effective.
1 – The flea comb
Highly effective against fleas, this type of comb dislodges parasites from your pet’s fur. There are even models capable of removing adult specimens, as well as their eggs and larvae.
Make sure your pet’s fur is well untangled, however, or you risk hurting him. It’s also preferable to carry out this type of brushing in a bathtub or outdoors, and to provide a bowl of soapy water to drown the fleas trapped in the comb.
2 – Flea collars
Flea collars are effective as a repellent. There are a plethora of them on the market. However, you can make your own using lavender essential oil, which is highly effective in neutralizing this type of parasite.
Simply spray some directly onto your dog’s natural leather or fabric collar. Repeat the operation each time the lavender smell has dissipated.
3 – Shampoo with lemon juice
If you’re a fan of natural products that won’t put your dog at risk, this tip is ideal. Simply add half a glass of lemon juice to your dog’s usual shampoo. This acidic solution effectively eliminates fleas.
4 – Cider vinegar and glycerine soap mix
This mixture is also formidable against dog fleas. To use it, create a shampoo consisting of :
- 1 liter water
- 1 glass cider vinegar
- 30 ml glycerine soap
Mix well and wash the dog with the solution, working it thoroughly into the coat. Then brush the dog’s still-moist coat in the shower or bathtub.
Repeat until all fleas have disappeared. Please note that this dose is indicated for normal-sized dogs. For small dogs, halve the dose.
In a nutshell :
A flea problem should never be taken lightly. You now have a complete methodology to get rid of it for good!
