4 essential things to know about handling fleas on dogs
For dog owners, even the thought of a flea infestation in their home is no less than a nightmare. Dogs and cats are infested with fleas, which are small dark brown insects that feed on blood, especially during the summers. Fleas are dangerous for the health of your dog as they not only cause irritation, but if your dog is hypersensitive then he or she might suffer from hair loss, inflammation, or some serious skin reaction.
While there are several flea-repelling products available in the market, some that even give free shipping you need to be careful which flea and tick medicine you pick for your dog. Read on to find out more about flea infestation and how to kill fleas and ticks on dogs.

Can you naturally kill fleas on dogs?

• Though there are many chemical products available in the market that repel and kill fleas on dogs, you can also opt for natural remedies to protect and kill fleas on your dog.
• Apple cider vinegar is said to repel fleas on the dogs. So, you can add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in 250 ml of water and let your dog have the water throughout the day. The apple cider vinegar will keep the skin of the dog acidic and will ensure that no flea comes and sits on your dog.
• You should not apply apple cider vinegar directly on the dog’s skin because if your dog has sensitive skin then it might cause skin irritation.
• You can naturally kill fleas in your house by using boric acid powder or exposing affected areas to direct sunlight, as well as thoroughly cleaning the house with a vacuum regularly.

How can you prevent flea infestation on your dog?

• A flea infestation on your dog can be avoided by making use of the chewable fleas and tick preventives that you get in the market.
• You can also make use of the best flea collars, flea pills, or the topical ointments which come in the form of sprays and gels to repel fleas and ticks.
• If your dog is already a victim of a flea infestation, then you might need to find prescription products that will act aggressively and kill fleas on your dog within a few hours of using the flea-control product.

How can you eradicate fleas from your house?

• By killing the fleas on the dog, you will just be getting rid of a small part of the bigger problem. Often your house too will be infested by the fleas and to prevent flea infestation on your dog in future, you will need to ensure that you clear and clean up your home.
• Keep in mind that it takes at least 3 to 4 months for your house to become completely free from fleas.
• One of the first steps you need to take is to wash all the beddings in hot soapy water as the fleas have a tendency of hiding under the beds.
• Next, make sure that you vacuum the entire house, especially, the carpets, hardwood floors, and furniture. Once you are done vacuuming, make sure that you throw away the vacuum bag.
• Last, invest in good environmental flea control products that will help keep your indoors and backyard free from a flea infestation.

Why is it important to understand the flea life cycle?

• It is important to understand the life cycle of a flea, as the better knowledge you have of what problem you are dealing with, the quicker you can find a solution to get rid of the same.
• Another reason why you must understand the life cycle of a flea is that often flea- and tick-control products are made specifically to treat different phases of the flea life cycle.
• The fleas on the dog are adults who lay the eggs on the dog. The eggs then spread throughout your house each time your dog scratches himself or herself or sits down in some corner of your house.
• If the eggs are dropped in a favorable place like under the bed or carpet, then they hatch into a larva, which later forms a cocoon during the pupa stage. Later, from the same cocoon, an adult flea comes out.

If you are still confused as to how to kill fleas on your dog, then it is best to visit a veterinarian and discuss it with him or her. The vet will tell you the best way to kill the fleas on the dog and acquaint you with the preventive measures that you can use to repel the fleas from your dog.

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