Fleas can make your dog itch. Flea bites often cause skin irritation and infections. Moreover, these parasites can spread to other animals and even humans. That is why treating your dog is an absolute must. What can you do to help your four-legged friend?

Give your dog a bath

A bath may be enough if your dog just got the fleas. But if your four-legged friend’s condition is more severe, a bath is unlikely to solve the problem. Even so, the bath is always worth a shot. If you are thinking of trying any flea shampoo, consult your vet first. Fleas bite your dog and its skin can become very sensitive. There is a small probability that a special shampoo will worsen the skin condition. If your veterinarian thinks it is safe to do so, use one of the commercially available flea shampoos.

Use a flea comb

Another thing you can do to help your dog get rid of fleas is using a flea comb. There are various types of flea combs available at pet stores, just pick one. Don’t try to kill the fleas with your bare hands — they are fast and it is quite difficult to catch them. If you find any on your comb, have a bowl of hot soapy water on hand and just immerse the comb. Remember that you have to be fast!

Home and pharmaceutical remedies

There are plenty of home remedies for dog fleas to choose from. Plants like lavender, sage, catnip, spearmint, rosemary and eucalyptus are natural flea repellents. You can use a homemade spray: dilute a few drops of the chosen essential oil with water and apply directly onto your dog’s coat. You can also prepare a spray bottle with apple cider vinegar solution. However, do not use these homemade potions until you have confirmed with your vet that it is completely safe for your dog. Alternatively, ask your vet for recommendations on the most effective over-the-counter or prescription treatments.

Keep in mind: better prevent than cure!

If your dog has had fleas before or takes regular walks in places where other animals might have left flea eggs, try to check your dog frequently. Also, use the flea comb at least every once in a while, as prevention is better than cure.

How does a flea life look?

In order to avoid fleas, you should know how they live, and we are not talking about their hobbies. The flea life cycle consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. This means that even if you got rid of the adults, it may happen that the problem will come back once the eggs and larvae are mature. Therefore, you should check your dog frequently when you have found fleas on its skin: it may seem like the nightmare is over, but it will return in a few days or weeks.

Remember to clean the house!

This is not good news: if your dog brought fleas home, you need to act quickly. Flea eggs can be anywhere. Adult fleas cannot survive too long without a host, but their eggs will continue to thrive. That is why you should clean every washable surface and wash every piece of fabric at home. And remember that just because you got rid of fleas once doesn’t mean they won’t come back. Check your dog regularly!