How to Rid Your Pet of Fleas

Ever adopted a pet (or found that one has adopted you) just to discover that he or she is infested with fleas? Flea medicines can be expensive, and depending on the severity of the flea infestation, time may be of the essence in saving a life. The following tips may help you save money and a trip to the vet.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Dawn Dish Soap - unscented (scented soaps may irritate your cat or dog's sensitive skin)
• Water
• A towel
• Tweezers and/or a flea comb (optional)
• Fleas
• An extra set of hands

1. Heat water to a temperature that is comfortably warm, but be careful that the water is not so hot as to irritate sensitive skin. You can determine the temperature by slightly dipping your elbow into the water. CAUTION: Do NOT make contact with water that steams or shows other signs of dangerously high temperatures, as this may result in severe burns.
2. Wet the animal and apply Dawn dish soap in liberal amounts or as needed to penetrate the fur of the affected animal. Lather soap on the animal for at least one minute. If you are working with a feral animal, this gives you the opportunity to provide what is most likely a much needed bath to a very dirty animal.
3. Upon close inspection, you will be able to detect and remove the fleas at this point. While the fleas are not dead, they are "sedated" so that you will not experience any difficulties finding or removing them from the animal's fur. You may discover that tweezers or a flea comb are much more efficient in removing the fleas.
4. To assure that the fleas will no longer plague your resdence, be sure to dispose of them as soon as you remove them from the animal. There are many pesticides that are effective in eliminating fleas, yet are still safe for pets. However, you can also save money at this point by simply using the tweezers to eliminate each flea inividually (although this is a fairly exhaustive process).
5. After your pet has been dried and is comfortably warm, you may still want to quarantine affected pets depending on the severity and context of your situation. Be sure to vaccum all living areas that the affected pet may have come into contact with. Also, be sure to wash all linens and towels in hot water in order to kill any possible fleas or flea eggs that still persist. You may also choose to purchase flea medication so that you may prevent future infestations.

Tips & Warnings

• Be cautious when washing young animals. Often when dogs and cats are small, the sudden change in temperature can cause them to become sick which may be difficult for them to overcome. A heating pad aids in maintaining a healthy body temperature when used as directed (never on high heat).
• Fleas are known to cause Flea Anemia and other diseases in young kittens and puppies. If your pet is lethargic and refuses to eat, please contact an animal care professional immediately.