How to Get Rid of Fleas on a Beagle Dog
Beagles have short coats, which makes them easier to treat for fleas than dogs with long or thick hair. Beagles are friendly and tend to get along with other dogs and cats and may catch fleas from any untreated furry friend they meet. Some beagles get into the habit of digging in dirt where flea eggs can be. Treating fleas is a multi-layered task, but it can be done by targeting the beagle, the beagle's bedding and any place in the home where fleas would hide.
Things You'll Need
- Flea comb
- Dish of water with alcohol or water
- Flea shampoo for dogs
- Vacuum
- Washing machine
- Veterinarian
Instructions
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1
Comb the beagle to remove adult fleas. Use a flea comb instead of an ordinary comb because the teeth of a flea comb are so close together that the fleas are pushed away from the dog. Trap fleas quickly between your thumb and the comb. Expect the fleas to hop. If the beagle is a puppy, comb the puppy when he is tired and less apt to wiggle. If the dog is an adult and will not stay still, give him a chewy treat. Beagles love food and tend to put up with just about anything for food.
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2
Shampoo the beagle with a flea shampoo for dogs if there are too many fleas to comb out of the fur. Beagles rescued from hoarders and puppy mills are better off bathed first because they may never have been combed before and may panic. Seeing many live fleas come off of the dog during the bath is normal and indicates that the medication is working.
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3
Wash the beagle's bedding, felt toys, pillowcases or anywhere the dog likes to sleep. Adult fleas hop off of their hosts and wait in bedding or anything made of soft material for another host to come by, according to "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook." Use hot water to kill flea larvae and flea adults. Vacuum all carpeting and soft furniture. If vacuuming the furniture is impossible, rub flea powder into the furniture. This will make the fleas hop off and into the carpet, which can be vacuumed.
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4
Use topical flea prevention medication, which also kills adult fleas. This medication needs to be prescribed by a veterinarian. Do not give the beagle a bath immediately after receiving a spot-on treatment because the medication may come off, according to "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook."
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5
Repeat Steps 1 to 3 if necessary. It is normal for flea larvae to escape treatment and then mature into adults. However, once they are adults, they are easier to kill.
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Tips & Warnings
It is normal for beagles to shed a lot because they are short-haired dogs. Flea shampoo or combing will not promote shedding.
Never use flea powder on the bodies of beagles because they tend to lick themselves soon after the powder is placed on and can get sick.
Never rely on flea prevention medications to completely protect a beagle. Get into the habit of checking for fleas by combing or checking for red patches on the skin, which could indicate flea bites.
Never treat just the beagle and not the home and bedding it lives in. Fleas will just keep coming back.
