The Fundamentals of Flea Control

If you’re new to having a pet, you might be amazed at how many things you have to keep track of. Vaccinations, physical examinations, heartworm medicine, intestinal worms, dog food… the list seems to go on and on. Today, I’d want to cover the fundamentals of flea control, which is necessary to keep your pet and home parasite-free.

When it comes down to it, treating fleas is very straightforward. Before you have a flea infestation, use a top quality flea control product (such as Frontline Plus) on your pet once a month, and you will almost certainly never have a flea problem.

Flea treatment, on the other hand, might be tough. If you use a low-quality flea control solution (or none at all) and allow a large flea infestation to develop on your pet (and in your home), you’ll have to put in a lot of work to get things under control.

If you’ve done the former, give yourself a pat on the back and quit reading now. You and your pet can expect a long, flea-free, and happy life together.

If, on the other hand, you’re covered in fleas, follow these steps

1. Purchase (and correctly use) a high-quality flea control product.

Here, quality is crucial. Buying a shady, unproven flea treatment product from your local pet store or supermarket won’t cut it, which is why you’ve come here for help with your flea problem. Shampoos, collars, dips, and powders for fleas are no longer effective. Instead, try Advantage, Frontline Plus, comforts, or Revolution, which are all well-known and effective flea control products. When applying the product, make sure you follow all of the instructions. This includes applying the ointment correctly and avoiding bathing (if the product is a top-spot).

2. Thoroughly clean your home

All of your pet’s fleas have been laying eggs everywhere he or she walks. With each flea depositing up to 50 eggs per day, your pet’s favorite hangouts are bound to be infested with juvenile fleas. Vacuum the entire house completely, and dispose of the bag as soon as possible. An even better option would be to use a steam mop. All of your pet’s bedding should be washed in hot soapy water and soaked for at least 10 minutes. Repeat this process twice weekly for as long as you see fleas.

In most circumstances, these two steps will be enough to get rid of your flea infestation. It won’t happen immediately, but most fleas should be gone from your home and pet within a few weeks. Fleas that hatch in the environment will jump on your pet, so don’t be surprised if you see an occasional flea on your pet in the first few weeks.

3. Essential oils are a type of oil that is used

Some essential oils, especially for cats, can be poisonous in big dosages. Essential oils can pile up in cats’ bodies and cause difficulties because they are not effectively metabolized. Although many cat owners utilize natural flea control products using essential oils, care is advised.

4. Yeast and garlic

Garlic and yeast can both help to protect your pet from fleas in a natural way. Garlic is harmful to cats and can destroy their red blood cells, so cat owners should be aware of this.

Both dogs and cats can benefit from brewer’s yeast. For cats and small dogs, use approximately a teaspoon, and for a fifty-pound dog, use about a tablespoon. Your pet may be allergic to yeast if they develop a skin rash.

5. Flea control and proper nutrition

Feeding your pet high-quality food is not just the proper thing to do; it can also help to keep fleas at bay. Because a healthy animal is less enticing to adult fleas, poor nutrition can make your pet more prone to fleas. Consult your veterinarian for suggestions.