How to Rid Fleas From a Dog

Fleas can make a dog miserable with itching and scratching. Keeping your dog free of fleas makes life more pleasant and more healthy for everyone in the household, so it is important to know how to get rid of your dog's fleas and then keep them away permanently.

Things You'll Need

• Flea shampoo
• Bathtub
• Warm water
• Towel
• One of the following: flea collar, flea capsules, or topical flea medication

Instructions

Getting rid of current fleas

1. The first thing you will need to do is get rid of fleas and flea dirt that are already on your dog. Purchase a flea shampoo.

2. Put the dog in the bathtub and use warm water to get the dog wet all over.

3. Use a generous amount of shampoo and work it into the coat. Pay special attention to the area around the tail and the neck; fleas tend to gravitate to these areas. Be careful not to get the shampoo into your dog's eyes.

4. Let the lather remain on the dog for 5 minutes. During this time the medication in the shampoo will be killing the fleas.

5. Use warm water to completely rinse the shampoo out of the fur. Use a towel to dry off the fur as best you can. (Be prepared--the dog will certainly give a good shake to get rid of a excess water!)

Preventing future flea infestation

1. The medication in the flea shampoo will protect your dog from fleas for a few days. After that, you will need to begin a regimen of preventing future flea infestations. You must decide between three options: a topical medicine, capsules taken orally, or a flea collar. You only need to do one of these.

2. If you choose to use a topical medicine you can purchase one at a pet store (or the pet section of a retail store) or you can purchase one through your veterinarian. Be aware that the brands available through your veterinarian may be more effective than the brands sold "over the counter."

3. If you choose to use oral capsules, you can purchase them through a vet or at at a pet store. (Be aware that the prescription capsules sold through veterinarians will likely be more effective than the "over-the-counter" brands sold at pet stores.)

4. If you choose to use a flea collar, make sure you read and follow the instructions that come with the collar. (If you want the strongest flea collar available, there is now a prescription collar that you can get through your veterinarian.)

Tips & Warnings

• Oral capsules purchased from your vet may be more effective than those purchased at pet shop or retail store.

• Do not use flea shampoo on a dog younger than 12 weeks old.

• Do not use more than one flea remedy. For example, do use topical medicine while your dog is wearing a flea collar. Using more than one treatment could cause over-exposure to flea medication and cause harm to your dog.