How To Treat A Puppy For Fleas

How To Treat A Puppy For Fleas

A puppy with fleas is an unhappy one. Not only can fleas cause your dog discomfort, they can also infect your canine with tapeworms and other parasites. If you notice that your puppy has fleas it is important to take measures to eradicate them, so that your puppy will not fall ill or develop a case of mange due to his parasite burden.

Dealing with fleas in dogs is a serious undertaking. Not only can it be challenging to identify the source of the problem, but also difficult to treat and avoid infestations in the future. So, have you seen an increase in fleas on your dog lately? Have you noticed any of these symptoms: excessive itching, hairless patches, hot spots, red infected areas, and biting during sleep. If so, your pet may be suffering from a fleas outbreak and you need some tips for treating your puppy with fleas.

How To Treat A Puppy For Fleas

Fleas are a common problem for puppies and their owners. The good news is that there are several effective treatments available that can help you get rid of fleas in your puppy’s environment—and on your pup’s body!

The first step in treating fleas on your puppy is to confirm that your pet has fleas. It’s important to know this because some other types of insects can cause allergic reactions in dogs, so it’s best to rule out other conditions before jumping into treatment. If you’re not sure if your dog has fleas, talk with your vet about what signs to look for and whether or not they recommend testing your pet for this condition.

Once you’ve diagnosed fleas on your puppy, you’ll need to treat both the animal and its environment. There are several different options when it comes to dealing with these pesky pests.

We all want our puppies to be happy and healthy, which is why we’ve put together this guide on how to treat a puppy with fleas.

Fleas can be a major problem for your furry friend, but luckily there are ways to prevent them from infesting your home. Here are some tips on how to get rid of fleas in your home, and how to treat a puppy with fleas:

1) Make sure that any new furniture or carpets are treated before you bring them into the house. You can buy special sprays at the store or online that will kill the fleas without harming your pets or other house guests.

2) If you see any signs of fleas on your dog (scratching, biting), use an over-the-counter medication immediately. There are many different brands available at pet stores and online, so find one that works for you!

3) Make sure that everyone in the family understands how important it is not to bring any stray animals into the house because they could carry fleas along with them!

4) Keep up with regular grooming sessions so that you can check for signs of fleas more easily

How To Treat A Puppy For Fleas

Nearly every pet owner has had to deal with the dreaded F word: fleas. These pesky parasites can cause excessive chewing, scratching, and licking in dogs. In severe cases, flea infestations can lead to a host of medical conditions, including anemia, tapeworms, hot spots, and bacterial infections.

Puppies are especially vulnerable to these flea-related health issues, says Dr. Judy Morgan, a New Jersey-based holistic veterinarian. Even a mild to moderate infestation can put their health at risk. Because of their small size and immature physiology, puppies have a greater chance of developing anemia, she says, which can cause weakness, respiratory distress, and even death.

Fortunately, you can tackle the problem head on with a little prevention and a thorough home cleaning. Here’s how to find, treat, and prevent fleas on puppies.

Finding Fleas on Puppies

“Spotting fleas early is important in keeping your puppy safe and preventing a full blown infestation,” says Dr. Rob Hance of Sunset Blvd. Animal Clinic in Houston, Texas.

A flea comb will help you find the fleas themselves, as well as any debris they leave behind. While you’re grooming your pup, look for symptoms of fleabite dermatitis, Hance says. This occurs when a dog is allergic to flea saliva.

“Puppies with fleabite dermatitis will scratch excessively and may develop red, irritated and infected patches of skin called hot spots,” he says.

More extreme symptoms of a flea infestation can include weight loss, pale gums, and lethargy.

Morgan recommends checking your dog up to three times per day for flea activity.

If you suspect your puppy has a flea problem, or if she exhibits any concerning symptoms, take her to the veterinarian right away, Hance advises. A doctor can confirm the infestation and prescribe proper age-appropriate treatment.

Treating a Puppy with Fleas

Treating a puppy immediately and regularly will help stop the infestation and prevent flea-related health complications.

Bathing your puppy with a gentle flea shampoo that’s specifically formulated for young animals can help alleviate some flea-related skin irritations, Hance says. This will also remove the adult fleas living in your pup’s fur.

But flea shampoo doesn’t kill flea larvae or remove their eggs, he says, so prescription flea and tick medication may be necessary.

Talk to your vet before applying any kind of prescription or over-the-counter treatment. Many of the common chemicals used in flea medications are too harsh for puppies, Morgan says. Some are neurotoxins, which can harm a puppy’s developing nervous system.

Also, puppies love to lick and chew. This means anything you put on them will end up in their mouths, she says, especially if you have multiple puppies climbing and gnawing on each other.

Your veterinarian will be able to recommend a safe product for your dog. Some commonly prescribed flea preventatives for puppies can be used as early as 4 to 6 weeks old.

Getting Rid of Fleas in Your Home

Remember: fleas only live on their host 5 percent of the time. The rest of the time they’re making their home in your carpets and couches, Morgan says. “Treating the puppies without treating the environment is futile.” The need for aggressive environmental controls may be only temporary, though. As you pup matures, you can consider using more powerful flea preventive medications that can do an excellent job of preventing infestations all on their own.

Herbal sprays like lavender, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil can help repel fleas from your home, Hance says. Just make sure the spray is formulated—and properly diluted—for use around young animals. (Improper dilutions of tea tree oil, in particular, can be toxic to dogs.)

Other natural products include food-grade diatomaceous earth, a natural pest control powder, and beneficial nematodes, which kill fleas and their larvae, Morgan says.

Give your house a good cleaning to remove any eggs or larvae embedded in your carpet, rugs, and furniture, Hance says. Vacuum all floors and furniture that have upholstery or padding, he adds, and throw the vacuum bag out immediately.

“Don’t forget to wash your bedding, as well as your puppy’s bedding, in hot, soapy water to make sure all flea larvae and eggs are wiped out,” Hance says.

It can also be helpful to treat your yard for fleas to prevent future infestations, he says. He recommends placing sage, rosemary, basil, mint, or lemongrass plants near your front and back doors to keep fleas at bay.

List Of How To Treat A Puppy For Fleas