If your dog is constantly being reinfested with fleas after treatment, it is most likely there is an environmental infestation in or around your house. The adult fleas we see on pets represent only 5% of the total population. The other 95% are immature stages in the environment.
Dog Flea Shampoo and Sprays
Along with a prescription medicine, flea shampoos and sprays can help get an active flea problem under control and bring your dog quick relief. As you bathe your dog, use a flea comb in the bath to remove any flea dirt or eggs from their coat.
These pests are very hard to get rid of. Fleas have flattened bodies so they can move through the fur of their hosts easily. They also have very strong exoskeletons, making them very hard to crush. They also leap out of danger quickly and are very small, so if they do get away they are hard to find again.
95% are in the environment as flea eggs, larvae and pupae.
Seeing fleas after treatment isn't really about how long it takes for flea treatment to work or for fleas to die. It's about the number of life stages in the pet's environment that develop into new fleas and jump on a pet.
These dying fleas often rise to the top of your pet's haircoat, so the presence of visible fleas after treating your pet, is a sign that the product is working. It is also important to remember that the majority of the flea population is in the environment.
Provided a thorough approach to flea treatment using appropriate products has been undertaken then if your pet continues to scratch there are likely to be other factors contributing. These may include allergies or intolerances to food substances, cleaning products and or an underlying medical condition.
Your dog's constant scratching may lead to visible patches of hair loss and reddened, irritated skin. Fleas may also cause skin allergies and can transmit other parasites, such as tapeworms, to your dog.
Vacuuming does work, at least in terms of reducing the severity of the infestation. But fleas breed quickly, and in the case of severe flea infestations it's unlikely you'll be able to remove all of the fleas from the carpet. In addition, flea eggs are sticky and attach themselves to carpet fibers.
You shouldn't need to use flea shampoo unless your dog has an active flea infestation. But if that's the case, you can wash your dog 1-2 times a week, but not long term.
If you do find that you still have a flea infestation after treatment, the possible causes are: The premises was cleaned or vacuumed prior to 14 days after treatment. It is possible that someone or a pet has picked up fertile fleas from other locations. Your pets were not treated for fleas satisfactorily.
In most cases, it takes three to four months to completely get rid of a flea infestation since it takes fleas this long to go through their life stages, according to the American Kennel Club. “The real battle against fleas comes down to killing those that aren't on your cat or dog,” said Cooley.
Vacuum often. All four stages of fleas are killed after vacuuming, with a 96 percent success rate.
A dog with a flea infestation should be treated immediately with medication and a flea dip bath. However, flea shampoos are notoriously harsh on a pooch's skin. Therefore, be certain you don't try to give your dog with fleas a bath every day. Once a week should be enough.
Some may need daily baths for severe infestations, where others will only need once a week. It may also depend on the kind of shampoo you use.
When it has a host, an adult flea can live about 100 days. But how long can they live without a host? Those fleas typically live only one to two weeks. The entire lifespan of a flea, from egg to adulthood, can last a few weeks or even a few months.
If not properly treated, these insects can survive in the carpet in a continuous cycle that can span many flea generations. One thorough carpet cleaning session can destroy a colony, yet it is sometimes recommended to have a follow-up session just to be sure the insects are removed from the carpet completely.
Prior to spraying, vacuum your home thoroughly. This allows the spray to penetrate deep into carpet fibres. The vibrations and warmth from the vacuum cleaner also create a stimulus for adult fleas to emerge from the otherwise impenetrable pupae, allowing them to be exposed to the spray.
Flea bites can be itchy and bothersome to pets and humans. Getting rid of fleas in and around your bed requires treating the pet, washing all bedding, and vacuuming frequently to remove flea eggs, larvae, and pupae so that no new fleas can emerge.
That's right - a prime suspect is your own backyard. Fleas jump on and off animals from the grass, hoping to get a drink of blood each time. Even if your dog is the only domestic animal that ever uses your yard, fleas can come from squirrels, deer, rabbits, and many other wild critters.
While some medications and treatments can kill adult fleas within 24 hours, it can take anywhere from three to four months of treating your pet and home to get rid of an infestation and the various different life cycles of fleas.
Research has shown that the number of fleas on cats and dogs is 70% in the fall when compared to the spring season. This increase is primarily caused by animals getting their thicker winter coats in paired with the warm and wet weather.
You can reapply flea treatment after 2 weeks, but it's not necessary. Fleas are a common problem for dogs and cats, and there are many treatments available to help you protect your pet from these pesky parasites.
These factors include fleas, staph (bacteria) or yeast (fungal) infections, and food allergies. If you're noticing an increase in your dog's scratching, they may have developed one or more of these flare factors that are pushing them over their “itch threshold” despite being on anti-itch medication.
Fleas that feed on a dog receiving BRAVECTO® are killed before they can lay eggs and produce a new generation of fleas. However, any fleas in their juvenile stages (eggs, larvae and pupae) that are present in your home before you treat your dog will mature into adult fleas over a period of several weeks.
If you live in an area where fleas are common, then you may need to comb a couple of times a week, or in some cases, daily! If fleas are only a seasonal problem and your dog doesn't seem to be itching, then try combing once a week during the warmer months.