How to get rid of fleas for dogs

Flea season can be a nightmare for you and your dog if you don’t know how to get rid of this parasite. Some regions have year-round warm climates that are favorable for fleas to thrive. The best measure is still prevention in nature, but there are ways to kill fleas after they have hatched and multiply on your pet. Here are a few ways to kill and prevent fleas from harming your dog.

Table of Contents

Drug treatment

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Bathe your dog with a flea and tick shampoo. Regular dog bath oils and dishwashing liquid will also kill fleas, but if something stronger is needed, you can try a flea and tick bath oil. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Read the bath oil label carefully to know how to use it correctly.
Wet your dog’s coat with warm water and apply flea shampoo to the dog’s coat.
Wait at least 10 minutes after applying the bath oil to your dog’s coat, then rinse with warm water.
Flea bath oils often contain pyrethrins, chemicals used to kill fleas.
Flea bath oil is intended to kill fleas and ticks that are already present on the dog’s coat.

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Buy flea spray. ^{[2] X Research Resources} Flea and tick sprays are available as aerosols and pump dispensers.

For best results, choose a spray with a mature insecticide and control insect growth. This way you can be sure to kill both adult fleas and their eggs.
Follow your veterinarian’s instructions and label directions for proper use.
Spray in a well-ventilated area and avoid getting into the dog’s eyes.
Wear gloves when spraying to protect yourself.
When you want to spray on sensitive areas like the dog’s face, you should spray the medicine on the glove and rub it on the dog instead of spraying it in the eyes, mouth or ears. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

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Try a flea powder. Flea powders are usually sold over-the-counter and work the same way as sprays. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Read the instructions on the label for correct use. If anything is unclear, check with your veterinarian before using a flea powder on your dog.
Usually you can apply a thin layer of powder to your dog’s coat and leave it as is. However, it should be noted that the powder makes the dog’s coat feel gritty and has to be rubbed many times.
Start rubbing from the dog’s head down to the tail, making sure the powder can come into contact with the dog’s skin. ^{[5] X Research Sources}
You should also sprinkle powder on the dog’s bed.
Repeat once a week if needed. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

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Mix dog bath medicine. ^{[7] X Sources of Study} A dog wash and rinse should be used after the dog begins to have flea infestations.

Mix the soak or rinse according to the instructions on the package. Ask your veterinarian for further instructions.
When using a dog bath, also known as a flea bath, you need to soak your dog in a diluted solution of the medication. Conditioner is a thin solution used to rinse a dog’s body until the coat is completely wet. You need to completely immerse your dog in both of these solutions, not just for each area of the dog’s skin.
Use water to soak and drain in a ventilated place.
After the dog is soaked in water mixed with medicine, most drugs need to be left alone, not rinsed with water. ^{[8] X Research Sources}
These products often contain chemicals such as pyrethrins, permethrins, and organophosphates.

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Wear a flea collar for your dog. ^{[9] X Research Sources} Flea collars vary in quality and many have a very limited range of action, only killing fleas around the collar (around the dog’s head and shoulders). However, a high-quality flea collar can repel or kill fleas when used correctly. Be sure to choose a collar that is appropriate for your dog’s age and weight.

Run two fingers under the necklace to make sure it fits snugly and isn’t too tight.
Trim the excess after wearing the dog collar. Don’t let your dog chew on the other end of the collar.
See the label for how long the necklace lasts and what to avoid. Some necklaces lose their effectiveness if wet.
Monitor the dog’s neck area below the collar and remove it if skin irritation occurs.

Use flea prevention treatments

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Take medication monthly. ^{[10] X Trusted Source University of Kentucky Cplege of Agriculture, Food, and Environment Go to the source} Monthly topical medication is one of the most common and effective flea prevention methods.

Most topical, so-called “topical” medications require a prescription from a veterinarian.
Add a few drops or the amount of medication as directed in a graduated bottle. There are drugs that need to be applied to the area between the dog’s shoulder blades, and there are types that need to be applied to different places on the dog’s body. Apply the medication to the skin, not just the dog’s coat.
This medication kills adult fleas that crawl on dogs or sting them. The drug is usually effective for a month.
Some products also kill flea eggs, but not all products are effective.
This medication needs to be taken monthly and throughout the year. However, if you live in an area with cold winter weather, you can reduce use during the cold months, as fleas are less active during this time.

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Give your dog a flea pill every month. Ask your veterinarian about a flea prevention pill to give your dog every month.

Give your dog the pill while eating once a month.
Your veterinarian will prescribe medication based on your dog’s weight.
If a female flea bites a dog after the dog is given medication, it will ingest a chemical called lufenuron. This chemical will transfer to the eggs and prevent the eggs from hatching. (Otherwise adult fleas are also killed, which may take some time to see results.)

Try natural flea treatments

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Bathing the dog. Bathing your dog with warm water and mild dishwashing liquid or regular dog oil will kill most fleas – if not all. ^{[11] X Research Source}

This is effective against small to moderate fleas, but may not be effective enough to eradicate large numbers of flea outbreaks.
Use only mild dishwashing liquid that is colorless, fragrance-free and safe for sensitive skin. Discontinue use when the dog has a bad reaction to the soap. Use conditioner after soaping to prevent your dog’s skin from drying out.
Bathe your dog with soap once a week. Excessive bathing (especially with soap) can be harmful to your dog’s skin due to its drying effect.
The soap surrounds the fleas and pulls them off the dog. Furthermore, soap breaks down fleas’ cell membranes and removes the waxy coating that protects them. As a result, the fleas can no longer retain water and die from dehydration.

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Brush your dog’s coat with a flea comb. You can use a flea comb, but you can also use any comb with tight teeth.

A flea comb can remove fleas from your dog’s coat.
Brush your dog from head to toe. Make sure to brush down to the dog’s skin. If you only brush the outer coat without touching the skin, fleas may still be left after brushing.
Dip the comb into a bucket of warm soapy water every time you catch a flea. Soap water can kill fleas.

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Banish fleas with lemon juice. Diluted lemon juice applied to a dog’s coat can kill fleas. However, you need to be careful not to dry out your dog’s skin.

Mix a bowl of solution with half a lemon juice and half a part warm water.
Alternatively, you can cut a lemon in half and put it in boiling water. Soak for eight hours or overnight, then strain and pour into a bowl.
Dip a comb or dog brush in the lemon juice solution and brush the dog, letting the lemon juice come into contact with the dog’s fur. Remember to comb thoroughly, dip the comb in the solution after each brushing movement.
Repeat this once a day for three days. ^{[12] X Research Source}

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Treat dog fleas with apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar can be applied to a dog’s coat to treat fleas. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Mix half a part apple cider vinegar with half a part warm water and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray the entire body of the dog, but focus on areas where fleas are most likely to gather, such as behind the ears, the buttocks around the tail, and under the feet.
If your dog’s skin is dry or if you suspect a bad reaction to vinegar, stop this treatment immediately.

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Try brewer’s yeast. Brewer’s yeast is a natural preventative measure and an alternative to harsh chemicals. ^{[14] X Research Sources} The evidence for the effectiveness of this therapy is inconclusive, but brewer’s yeast appears to have an impact on flea populations. ^{[15] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

Add yeast tablets to your dog’s food every day or every two days. Consult your veterinarian to determine the best dosage for your dog based on your dog’s age and weight. Do not self-determine without the consent of your veterinarian.
Brewer’s yeast will soak into the dog’s skin and be discharged through the pores. This will make the dog’s skin and coat less attractive to fleas, thus repelling them.

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Mix rosemary water for dogs. ^{[16] X Research Sources} This therapy has not been scientifically validated, but is believed to be effective in repelling fleas. Soak your dog in water mixed with rosemary and let it dry naturally.

Soak 2 cups (500 ml) of rosemary sprigs in boiling water for about 30 minutes. Use enough water to completely submerge the rosemary.
Strain and discard the rosemary leaves.
Add 4 liters of water to the rosemary water. Smaller dogs can use less water.
Let the rosemary water cool down. The water should be warm but not too hot lest you burn your dog.
Pour water over the dog until it is completely soaked. Let dry naturally.

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Apply lavender essential oil. ^{[17] X Research Sources} This therapy has not been scientifically validated but is believed to be effective in repelling fleas. You only need to put a few drops of lavender essential oil on important places to take advantage of this effect. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

Bathe your dog normally with soap and warm water. Use a dry towel.
Apply a few drops of lavender essential oil to the bottom of the dog’s tail and a few drops to the nape of the dog’s nape. Gently massage your dog’s skin and coat with your hands.

Advice

Wash all items your dog comes into contact with to reduce the risk of fleas returning soon after treatment.

Warning

Do not expose your cat to flea medication for dogs. Many chemicals used for dogs are toxic to cats and can kill cats.
Pregnant women, nursing women, and children should avoid contact with most flea medications. Read medication labels for prevention information.
Use caution when combining flea treatments; It is best to consult your veterinarian before using multiple therapies at the same time. ^{[19] X Research Source}
Many flea medications are very powerful and can be harmful to people with long-term exposure to them. Use gloves if possible and always wash your hands thoroughly after applying medication to your dog.

Steps

Drug treatment

Use flea prevention treatments

Try natural flea treatments

Advice

Warning

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