If your pet has fleas, chances are you’re not too thrilled about it. Not only are fleas a nuisance, but they can also transmit diseases and cause anemia in severe cases. Moreover, fleas are notoriously difficult to get rid of—once they’ve infested your home, they can be nearly impossible to eliminate. Fortunately, you can do a few things to treat fleas on your pet animals and in your home. But before that, take a look at what causes them.
What Causes Pet Fleas?
There are many reasons why your pet may have fleas. One possibility is that they picked them up from another animal. If you take your dog for walks, they may have come in contact with a flea-infested animal. Additionally, if you have cats that go outdoors, they may also bring fleas into the home. Finally, animals that live in kennels or shelters are also at risk of flea infestation. If you adopt a pet from a shelter, it’s important to have them checked for fleas as soon as possible.
Ways To Get Rid of Fleas on Your Pet
If you’ve discovered that your pet has fleas, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them and help your pet feel better.
Oral and Topical Treatments
There are a number of oral and topical medicines available that will kill fleas on your pet. Many of these medications must be prescribed by a veterinarian, but there are also a few you can buy over the counter. Be sure to follow the directions carefully when using any of these products, as some can, in fact, do harm if used improperly.
You can buy these flea-treatment medicines from an online pet pharmacy. Pet dispensaries usually have a wide variety of products to choose from, and the prices are very reasonable. Make sure you get the right product for your pet, as some products are only meant for dogs, while others work better on cats.
Shampoos and Sprays
There are also a number of shampoos and sprays that can be effective in killing fleas on your pet. Again, be sure to follow the directions carefully, as some of these products can irritate your pet’s skin if not used properly. You can purchase these from your local pet store or online.
When purchasing shampoos and sprays, make sure they are specifically designed to kill fleas—don’t just use any regular or old shampoo or spray, as it probably won’t be effective.
Grooming Tools
Many grooming tools can help you remove fleas from your pet’s coat. These include combs, brushes, and rakes. For example, there are several deshedding tools available, such as that can help remove fleas, dirt, and debris from your pet’s coat.
Be sure to remove the fleas from your pet’s coat after each grooming session—if you simply leave them in the coat, they will likely just jump back on your pet.
Home Remedies
There are a number of home remedies that can be effective in getting rid of fleas on your pet. One popular home remedy is to soak your pet in a tub of soapy water for a few minutes. This will kill the fleas on your pet’s body, but not necessarily the eggs.
Another home remedy is to make a flea collar by soaking a bandana in a mixture of water and lemon juice. Then, put the bandana around your pet’s neck like a collar. This home remedy is said to be effective in repelling fleas.
Preventing Fleas in the First Place
The best way to deal with fleas is to prevent them in the first place. There are a few things you can do to help prevent fleas from infesting your home and your pet.
Keep Your Pet Clean
One of the best ways to prevent fleas is to keep your pet clean. This means regularly bathing your pet and brushing its fur. This will help remove any fleas, eggs, or larvae that may be on your pet’s body.
Use Flea Collars, Powders, and Sprays
There are several products available that can help prevent fleas. Flea collars, powders, and sprays are some of them. Be sure to follow the directions carefully when using any of these products.
Vacuum Regularly
Another way to prevent fleas is to vacuum your home regularly. This will help remove any fleas that may be in your home. Be sure to vacuum not only the floors but also furniture, cushions, and other areas where fleas may hide.
Wash Your Pet’s Bedding
Finally, be sure to wash your pet’s bedding on a regular basis. This will help get rid of any fleas, eggs, or larvae that may be in your pet’s bedding.
Final Thoughts
There are many ways to get rid of fleas on your pet. Be sure to follow the directions carefully when using any products, vacuum your home and wash your pet’s bedding regularly to prevent fleas from returning.