How do I get rid of fleas on my pet?

Common Health Pet Questions Part 1

Fleas are nasty little critters that can infest your home and make your pets miserable. To rid your pets and home of fleas you must attack them from all sides. If you use the four-step plan described below you can effectively rid your home and pets of fleas.

You can begin by using a product that prevents the flea pupa from leaving the egg. These products generally have a high safety rating and can be given by tablet once a month. This treatment prevents flea breeding but does not kill fleas.

Now you need to use a product which will kill adult fleas; some type of topical insecticide. These types of products are usually in spot-on form. They work by dissolving into the fatty skin tissue of your pet which means your pet will still be protected after shampooing. Some of these products last up to 3 months. You can also use flea powder and flea collars on your cats and dogs.

Then you must use a flea spray for your home. The chemical must kill both adult fleas and also the eggs and larvae. Most of these types of products last up to 7 months. Many will adhere to the base of your carpet and will not be removed when you vacuum.

And the last and most important step is to vacuum thoroughly and often. Vacuuming is very effective and should be done daily. Make sure you also keep your pet's bed clean and vacuum areas where they spend the most time. Pay particular attention to areas of the house in which fleas are most likely to breed , such as underneath radiators or other warm spots.

Getting Rid of Fleas the Natural Way

Almost all dogs will get fleas at one time or another. This is especially true if you have more than one pet in your home or if your dog goes outside a lot. There are many products on the market today to help control and get rid of fleas. Most of the commercial products have strong chemicals in them. Below you will find some natural home remedies for controlling fleas on your dog or in your home.

If your dog has fleas and goes inside your home your furnishing and carpets will also have to be treated. You want to make sure you wash your dogs bedding regularly in a hot wash cycle. You should also vacuum your home thoroughly. Once you are done vacuuming; you can lightly sprinkle a layer of ordinary table salt on the carpet. Let it sit overnight and the next morning vacuum again. You should always empty the vacuum bag when you are finished.

You can make a flea repellent that you can spray on your dog. Take a lemon and cut it into quarters and place the pieces in a pint jug. Cover the lemon pieces with boiling water and let it stand overnight. The next day you can pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray it all over your dog. Remember to watch out for their eyes and thoroughly wet the area behind their ears and around their head.

You can also add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to your pet's water bowl. This makes their skin more acidic and fleas and ticks dislike it. If your dog won't drink the water you can put the mixture in a spray bottle and use it the same way you do the lemon repellent. However, the lemon water smells a lot nicer than the vinegar mixture.

You can use the above suggestions to help rid your pet and house of pesky fleas without using harmful chemicals and commercial sprays.

And remember, pet insurance is like having health insurance on yourself, it is there when you need it for those unexpected large health-related bills. By having this kind of insurance you can ensure that your pets will get the best treatment if they are ever injured or seriously ill. You can buy pet insurance no matter the age of your pet. As long as you keep the premiums up they will be covered for their lifetime.

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