How to Protect Your Pet From Fleas

By eHow Pets Editor

Rate: (5 Ratings)

A single female flea can lay up to 700 eggs in her lifetime. If you don't want to see your pet turn into an open breeding ground, then follow these steps to ensure protection.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • Foggers
  • Frontline
  • Flea Shampoos
  • Flea Combs
  • Vacuum Cleaners

Step1
Consider using sprays and foggers that not only kill adult fleas, but also eliminate eggs from ever hatching. DOES THIS APPLY TO A PET OR A HOUSE? MENTION TOXICITY FOR CHILDREN AND PETS..
Step2
Try Frontline, a new vaccine developed by the Heska corporation, kills about 96 percent of fleas within 2 hours of application, and protects dogs and cats for an additional 3 months or more. CAN YOU MAKE THIS GENERIC AND NOT MENTION THE BRAND NAME?.. BASICALLY SAY THAT THERE ARE NEW VACCINES W/ X INGREDIENT THAT DO X.. CHECK W/ YOUR VET.
Step3
Add a medicinal tablet to your pet's diet. Program, an effective flea control tablet developed in North Carolina, turns fleas sterile when they bite into a pet's skin. AGAIN TAKE OUT PRODUCT REFERENCE
Step4
Give your pet a bath regularly, at least once a week. Special shampoos, armed ???specifically to protect your pet from fleas, can be found at a local pet store.
Step5
Create a thick coat of suds and soak your pet's entire body in the solution. Leave this coat on for 15 minutes, then rinse well.
Step6
Consult a veterinarian if your pet is allergic to flea bites. Certain injections and medications, specially prescribed, are available to assist mild to severe symptoms.
Step7
Groom your dog every day. Using a flea comb, examine your pet's skin, paying special attention to tiny bumps.
Step8
Wash and completely clean all animal bedding in your house.
Step9
Vacuum your home as often as you can. Make sure to discard the vacuum bag after every use.
Step10
Look over and block vents and other access areas in order to keep mice, rats, squirrels and other wild animals out. These animals are notorious for carrying fleas.
Step11
Check your pets thoroughly and consistently for ticks, especially after outings in wooded areas. Ticks present an entire different set of problems. Consult your veterinarian if you suspect a tick infestation in your pet.

Tips & Warnings

  • Better safe than sorry: consult a veterinarian before using any product on your pet for the very first time.
  • For added protection, provide your pet with a quality flea and tick collar.
  • Be sure to read the directions specifically on the label of each product you use.

Comments

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SenoraM said

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on 1/19/2008 Foggers (mentioned in the Things You Need section) ... I had a terrible flea infestation in my house over the summer and fogged all of the rooms. I killed the fleas but (unfortunately) the aerosol coated and disarmed the sensors in all of my smoke/fire alarms. I had to callt he alarm technician out to the house to have it professionally cleaned ... :-(

SenoraM said

Flag This Comment

on 1/19/2008 Foggers (mentioned in the Things You Need section) ... I had a terrible flea infestation in my house over the summer and fogged all of the rooms. I killed the fleas but (unfortunately) the aerosol coated and disarmed the sensors in all of my smoke/fire alarms. I had to callt he alarm technician out to the house to have it professionally cleaned ... :-(

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on 5/27/2007 Frontline isn't a vaccine, it's a spot-on treatment. Also, many of the shampoos, dips, foggers and etc sold at pet stores contain fairly toxic ingredients (permethrins and pyrethrins.) These compounds have been around for so long that some flea populations are resistant to them. They can irritate humans and cause extreme reactions in some dogs. They are *especially* toxic to cats, so owners with multiple animals should NOT use them. The flea collars are good to put in your vacuum cleaner bag, but I'd keep them off of my pets. The best flea prevention comes from your vet, who will know your area and your pet well enough to recommend a safe and effective protocol for staying flea free.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Add some fresh garlic to your dogs food once a day. The scent coming off their fur after a week of digesting fresh garlic will keep fleas away.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Buy a Dyson vacuum cleaner. It vacuums with good suction, and I don't think the fleas can get out.

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eHow Article:  How to Protect Your Pet From Fleas

eHow Pets Editor

eHow Pets Editor

Category: Pets

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