Fleas cause dogs no shortage of misery. They can jump aboard your pooch’s body and remain there, sucking his blood and causing a horrible itch. When he scratches the area, the pests simply jump elsewhere and begin to feed anew. You might have noticed your canine scratching his skin furiously as if relief lie just beyond his grasp. Or, you may have witnessed him biting himself to the point he begins to bleed. These are signs your dog is dealing with a flea problem.

One of the challenges with controlling an outbreak is that eggs and larvae seldom stay on your canine’s body. Instead, they drop to the ground and become lost in the rug, grass, or furniture. Even if you clean your pooch and rid his body of the pests, these eggs can hatch and result in another outbreak.

In this article, we’ll describe the steps you’ll need to take to get rid of your canine’s flea problem. This is a multi-pronged approach that focuses not only on his body, but also on your home and yard.

Controlling The Problem Outside

If your dog spends any time in your front yard or backyard, you’ll need to take measures to prevent an outbreak in those areas. When fleas are present, they can usually be found in the foliage. Rake up loose leaves, cut the grass, and get rid of any straw lying in your yard.

Also, clean outside areas frequented by your canine. This might include the patio, garden, and places covered in shade. Don’t forget to thoroughly clean his doghouse.

Controlling The Problem In Your Home

Getting rid of fleas, eggs, and larvae from your home requires a few steps. First, vacuum each room meticulously, paying close attention to areas in which your pooch sleeps. Do this daily for a few days.

While this helps eliminate fleas, the primary goal is to remove eggs and larvae. Move furniture and vacuum underneath to clean hard-to-reach spaces. Vacuum curtains that rest near the floor. Vacuum any recliners or couches on which your pet climbs. When you have finished, place the bag in a sealed trash bag and throw it away (outside).

Next, use foggers and carpet powders to kill adult fleas that may be hiding within your home. These products will also prevent residual eggs and larvae from maturing. After carefully washing your dog’s bed, treat it with a flea-control product.

Ridding Your Dog Of Fleas

There are many products that will help get rid of pests from your canine. For example, sprays and shampoos are popular options. If you intend to use the former, avoid spraying your dog’s eyes. Instead, spray a soft cloth and use it to rub those areas. Shampoos are effective, but must be worked into your pooch’s coat.

Flea collars are also effective, but far less so once they get wet. If your dog enjoys water and is apt to jump into your pool, a collar may be a less-than-ideal solution.

Over the last several years, veterinarians have been increasingly recommending flea-control products that are ingested in pill form. They are typically taken monthly and may preclude the use of insecticides on your canine’s body (though you should check with your veterinarian).

Ongoing Prevention Of Outbreaks

Fleas pose a perpetual problem. For this reason, implement an ongoing program that prevents infestations. This can be accomplished by using products designed to kill adult pests, prevent eggs from hatching, and retard the development of larvae. While there are products that claim to do all three of these things, most dog owners would be better served by purchasing solutions that are specifically formulated for each area.

Many people address flea outbreaks merely by giving their canines a bath and vacuuming their homes. It’s not enough and often leads to recurring outbreaks. Use the suggestions above to save yourself and your dog a lot of grief in the future.

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