How to Get Rid of Puppy Fleas

Dogs

If you own a puppy you can pretty much guarantee that it will eventually get fleas. This is common and not an indicator of how clean or dirty your home is. Once you determine that your puppy has fleas you will want to get rid of them as soon as possible, as they will not go away on their own.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Advantage
• Frontline
• Flea comb
• Water
• Lavender oil
• Cedar wood oil
• Dawn dish soap
• Citrus extract
• Empty spray bottle
• Light
• Bowl
• Salt

1. Visit your vet first. If your puppy is over eight weeks old, he can use Advantage or Frontline. Only your Vet can prescribe these. This type of treatment is given once per month on the back of the puppy's neck.

2. Get a flea comb from your local pet store and dip it in a dish of soapy water. Run the comb through the puppy's hair and wipe on a napkin. Repeat until you have combed the entire puppy.

3. Give the puppy a homemade flea bath. This is important especially if the puppy is to young to use flea shampoo. Make a shampoo by adding a few drops of citrus extract to Dawn dish soap. Rub this shampoo all over your puppy and keep the puppy soaked in it for 5 minutes before rinsing clean.

4. Take care of the yard by spreading out cedar shavings and pine needles. These two items produce a smell that fleas hate. It will keep the fleas from returning to your yard and re-infecting your puppy.

5. Use a homemade flea spray instead of a store bought one. This is safer for young puppies. Use an empty spray bottle and fill it with water. Add four drops of both lavender oil and cedar wood oil. Spray on the puppy every 6 hours for at least one week. This will kill the fleas and the eggs that hatch at the end of the week.

6. Use salt to kill the fleas in your home carpeting. Pour salt all over the carpeting. Take your puppy in the bedroom with you for the night. In the morning, vacuum up the salt and the dead fleas. Then do your bedroom floor in the morning with salt and vacuum it up before you go to bed.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use orange oil instead of citrus extract.

• Be sure to wash all of your puppy's blankets and toys. These too can contain fleas that will infest your dog all over again.