How to Control Fleas & Ticks on Puppies
Fleas and ticks have plagued both humans and their pets for centuries. Small, bloodsucking parasites, fleas and ticks can infest your dog and cause anemia and other illnesses if not properly treated. Puppies are especially prone to flea and tick illnesses due to their relatively weak immune systems, so eliminating infestation in young dogs is vital. Controlling fleas and ticks on your puppies is not difficult, although vigilance is necessary for complete parasite removal.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Flea and tick shampoo
- Flea comb
- Flea and tick control medicine
- Bleach
- Flea and tick control yard spray
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Controling Fleas and Ticks
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1
Speak with your veterinarian before treating your puppies for parasites. Very young puppies under 6 weeks old should not be treated with harsh chemicals, although it is safe to use chemical treatments on puppies over 8 weeks. Your vet can advise you of the best course of treatment to kill the parasites and keep your puppies healthy.
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2
Bathe your puppies to remove any loose fleas and ticks and any eggs that might be on their skin. You can use a commercially available flea and tick shampoo if your puppies are old enough or simply liquid dish soap if they are too young. Wet the puppies thoroughly, lathering them with a generous amount of soap. Allow the soap to remain on their coats for a few minutes, rinsing thoroughly to remove any traces of soap.
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3
Comb each of your puppies with a fine toothed flea comb. The spaces between the teeth of your flea comb are small enough to pull remaining fleas and ticks from your puppies' coat. Rinse the comb under hot water after each pass to keep from redistributing the parasites through their fur. You may have to brush each puppy two or three times to completely remove all parasites, so look carefully to be sure you've gotten them all. Apply a liquid flea and tick treatment along the neck and spine of your older puppies to prevent another infestation.
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4
Wash your puppies' bedding in hot water and bleach to eliminate any parasites that have nested in the material. Fill your washer with the water and bleach and place the bedding inside, allowing it to soak for 20 or 30 minutes to make sure all parasites, larvae and eggs have been killed.
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5
Spray the perimeter of your home and your yard with a flea and tick control spray. The spray will kill any live parasites present in the environment and will deter any new pests from infesting your yard. There are a number of commercially available products that are nontoxic to pets, so be sure to read the label carefully to get a spray that will not harm your puppies.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Be vigilant with your pest control procedures. Pests can be a year-round problem in warmer climates, so treating your pets and your property on a set schedule will help prevent illnesses in your pets.
Do not use any chemicals on your pets or around your house that are not approved for use around pets. Many pest control products are effective at killing fleas and ticks, but they are also poisonous to dogs. If you are unsure of a product's safety, you can contact your local poison control center for advice.
