| Dog fleas can cause more than itching. | | | | if he will let you! Groom him daily with a flea comb. |
| They are difficult to control, but, left unchecked, | | | | Do not be surprised if you occasionally find a flea on |
| they can cause your dog very serious health | | | | him. He will bring them in from outside. Remember, |
| problems. | | | | you cannot get rid of them, only control them. |
| Simple facts about dog fleas: | | | | Effective Treatment of Your Yard: |
| Fleas are probably the most successful creatures on | | | | In cases where pets spend most of their time |
| the planet in terms of reproduction. There are over | | | | outdoors, it may also be necessary to treat the yard |
| 2,400 species and they are difficult to control for a | | | | for dog fleas. One way to determine if the yard is |
| variety of reasons: One female flea will produce | | | | infested is to walk around the property wearing |
| 25,000 offspring in one month. An unfed adult can | | | | white athletic socks, pulled to the knee. If fleas are |
| live for several months. The chemicals used to | | | | present, they will be seen against the white |
| eradicate adult dog fleas have no effect on the eggs. | | | | background of the socks. |
| Fleas are very good at mutating to resist new | | | | Outdoor flea treatment should focus on areas where |
| pesticides. | | | | your pet rests, sleeps, and runs, such as doghouse |
| Fleas are a menace to dogs! They cause allergic | | | | and kennel areas, under decks, along fences and |
| dermatitis, tapeworms, and anemia. Most of the eggs | | | | next to the foundation. |
| are not laid on the dog but in the dog's bedding, in | | | | It is seldom necessary to treat the entire yard or |
| the rug, and on the furniture. It is extremely difficult | | | | open areas exposed to full sun. However, as long as |
| to eradicate fleas completely. The most you can | | | | you are treating the outdoor area, it may be a wise |
| hope for is to control them and to keep your dog | | | | move (particularly the first time) to treat as large an |
| reasonably comfortable during the warm, moist flea | | | | area as possible. Once again, check with your vet to |
| season. | | | | determine which product to control dog fleas will be |
| The best way to control dog fleas is to remove | | | | most effective for out door use and will not be |
| them from your dog and your house. Take him to a | | | | harmful to your pet. Be sure to follow all instructions |
| groomer for the day and have him bathed with | | | | carefully. |
| veterinarian-approved flea shampoo. Spraying or | | | | Summary of Key Treatment Steps: |
| dipping him with a residual pesticide has little or no | | | | 1. "De-fleaing" your pet is only one essential step in |
| lasting effect. While he is out of the house, hire a | | | | ridding your home of fleas. |
| company that uses a non-toxic product to spray the | | | | 2. It is critical that you treat areas in your home |
| carpets and the furniture. These companies usually | | | | where your pet spends time. |
| guarantee a flea-free home for one year. | | | | 3. It is most effective if you treat your pet and your |
| Some dogs are bothered more by the use of | | | | home on the same day. |
| pesticides than they are by fleas. Flea collars, sprays, | | | | 4. Treat every week to ten days until the infestation |
| powders, and shampoos are all loaded with pesticides. | | | | cycle is broken. After that, once a month or as |
| Beware! If your dog is into serious scratching, your | | | | needed. |
| veterinarian can prescribe medication for the itching. | | | | 5. Expect to see newly emerging adult fleas for 2 |
| It is also very important that you discus with your | | | | weeks or longer following If you dust your pet every |
| veterinarian which products you should use on your | | | | week to ten days, new generations of fleas will |
| pet to rid him (or her) of dog fleas. There are a lot | | | | quickly die before they have a chance to lay eggs - |
| of products on the market that claim to get rid of | | | | breaking the infestation cycle.Flea eggs are |
| fleas; not all of them work and some could be | | | | completely protected from insecticides so you must |
| harmful to your dog. | | | | break the cycle of re-infestation to clear them from |
| >From this point on, it is important for you to | | | | your home. |
| vacuum the carpets, furniture, and your dog's | | | | 6. If your pet spend most of their time outdoors, it |
| bedding everyday. Place the cut-off end of a flea | | | | may also be necessary to treat some areas of your |
| collar, or a moth crystal, into your vacuum cleaner | | | | yard. In fact, it is highly recommended when there is |
| bag to kill any vacuumed adult fleas. Vacuum the dog | | | | evidence of a high infestation of dog fleas. |