

Because the acid works as a natural flea repellent, the pests may leap out of your dog's fur. Only apply coconut oil to your dog's coat outdoors. The fat covers the flea's exoskeleton and essentially suffocates the pest. Coconut OilĬoconut oil contains a fatty acid called lauric acid, a component that kills fleas. Here are some of the best flea remedies for you to try at home: 1. You've confirmed the presence of fleas on your dog, either by symptoms, the presence of flea dirt, visible fleas in your dog's coat, or all of the above. If it turns red, it's flea poop (the red color happens because of the digested blood). You can also collect some of the flea dirt and wet it. Running a flea comb through your pet's hair can reveal the flea dirt. These look like tiny specks of black pepper on your dog's skin. Intense itching and scratching, especially around the neck and shoulder areaĪnother telltale sign of fleas is flea droppings, also known as flea dirt.But most of the time, you'll notice the symptoms of a flea infestation before you notice the fleas themselves. You can see adult fleas with the naked eye, although it isn't always easy. Then, we'll discuss some home remedies for fleas on dogs. Let's take a look at some telltale signs of a flea infestation so that you know what to watch out for. Luckily, you can try different home remedies to get rid of these pests on your dog and around your home. But many pet owners worry about the chemicals in flea collars and other standard treatment options. They can infest other pets in your home, as well as your bedding and furniture, if you don't take steps to eradicate them.Ĭlearly, you'll want to identify and treat a flea infestation in your dog as soon as you can. What's worse, fleas use their large back legs to jump around, sometimes to distances of a foot or more. These pesky little parasites feed on your canine friend's blood, make Fido itch like crazy, and potentially lead to more serious health troubles if the issue isn't dealt with. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can.Fleas: the dreaded pests that no pet owner wants to see on their dog. If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (603) 865-5532, you can email us, or you can reach out on Facebook. Also, decontamination of the environment is super vital. Call your veterinarian so that we can help you with medication. What should I do if I see fleas or ticks on my dog?ĭon't panic. If you find one, you can remove it, or you can bring the dog to us to take the tick off for you. Rarely you'll see them crawling on your pets. Usually, people find them when they are attached and fully engorged. A fine-toothed flea comb might help you find them, or sometimes you see them jumping off your pet. Often you will see the dog chewing at their butt area. It can be tricky, as fleas are incredibly tiny. And for cats, it's a topical because they couldn't get enough cats to eat the oral, but it's the same drug, only in a liquid form. I can't speak for other veterinarians, but I'll typically recommend oral products that will last for three months. What will my veterinarian recommend for flea and tick treatment? What different types of flea and tick preventative treatments are there?Īs I mentioned, there are orals, there are collars, and there are topicals, and it's best to discuss with your veterinarian about what's appropriate for your pet. There are also many generics in the carrier that transmit those chemicals in them and might not be as effective, as we also see a breakdown. Many over-the-counter medicines have been on the market for a long time, such as Frontline, and that's why we're seeing the flea and tick resistance to them. What is the difference between over-the-counter and prescription flea and tick medications? Many topicals now have resistance to them or take too long to kill ticks and are resistant to fleas. Oral flea and tick medications are superior to either topical or collars. How effective are flea and tick medications? Ticks are more common in our area, and the things that they spread are Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and Ehrlichia. What health problems can fleas and ticks cause my dog?įleas can cause anemia if there's a heavy enough burden, and they can pass other diseases. Dogs go outside to go to the bathroom or to go someplace with their owner, and one tick or one flea comes in the house and can spread to you and your other pets. Can my dog get fleas and ticks even if they're primarily an indoor dog?
