Modern flea remedies for dogs

Each owner of a four-legged pet knows that fleas in dogs can appear after the first exit on the street and acquaintance with the outside world.

But when it comes to eliminating parasites, many are either lost or begin to make mistakes. In order not to harm the health of the pet, you need to clearly know about the rules for using this or that remedy, and, since the modern market is simply overflowing with such drugs, it is not surprising that some dog breeders often come to a standstill when choosing. Today we will try to clarify this situation and describe all the possible means that will help to remove fleas from your pet.

Introducing Dog Fleas

What do fleas in dogs look like? The body structure is in many respects similar to their closest relatives - the length is from 1 to 5 mm, during the gestation period, the body length of the female can reach 15 mm. Color - dark brown. On the sides, the body is flattened and covered with small setae directed backwards. The hind legs of the parasites are elongated, jumping.

Dog fleas do not have wings, which, in turn, makes them practically invulnerable - parasites move freely and quickly in the hair and it is very difficult to catch them. These bloodsuckers differ in their small size from other canine parasites - even a hungry tick has a larger body than an adult flea.

The larvae of these insects look like small caterpillars, which are often confused with the larvae of flies. During its development, young offspring feeds on organic waste and waste products of adults. But it is useless to search for larvae in animal hair, as fleas lay eggs outside the body of their host.

On a note! With severe infection, parasite eggs can also be found in the hair of a pet. This happens for the simple reason that fleas simply do not have time to jump from the host’s body.

Fleas do not live on dogs - in fact, they jump on an animal only in order to get enough, after which they immediately leave it. These insects live in booths or pet resting places, breed there. One female, for a rather short period of time, simply strew eggs around her territory, from which larvae subsequently appear.

Fleas in dogs can appear in the following cases:

• after contact with an infected animal;
• while walking in the forest;
• from a person whose clothing has gotten an insect;
• after staying in an infected room, such as a basement or cellar.

Parasite control

So how to get a flea out of a dog. First you need to make sure that these bloodsuckers are worried about your pet. The following signs will testify to this:

• the animal often itches, and it experiences anxiety in different parts of the body;
• the wool contains small white grains - flea eggs, as well as black dots - the waste products of adults;
• when bathing a pet with the naked eye, you can notice how fleas massively get over his head and jump into the water;
• if you comb the hair with a thick brush, then several parasites will surely remain on it.

But remember, if the dog itches, but there are no fleas, then this will indicate irritation of the skin of the animal, which could be caused by:

• other insects - most often ticks. In this case, the dog will comb only one part of the body - the ear, side, etc .;
• allergies - to dust, food, combustion products, smoke or synthetic materials that the animal has touched;
• unbalanced diet or lack of vitamins;
• skin weathering - after prolonged exposure to the sun, a strong wind can cause a similar reaction;
• fungal infection - its main symptom is red spots under the coat;
• stress - oddly enough, but this is also possible. This can be caused by a lack of fresh air when the dog does not go outside for a long time.

In all these situations, it is necessary to immediately lead the animal to the veterinarian.

And we return to dog fleas and means that will help get rid of them.

Antiparasitic drops

Drops are the most popular and reliable flea remedies for dogs. They are applied to the withers area to prevent the animal from licking the preparation, and for a certain time the pet is isolated from the water. The effectiveness of the drug determines its active substance, the duration will also vary.

The disadvantages of drops include:

• high cost in comparison with other antiparasitic drugs;
• some of them are toxic to warm-blooded.

Popular flea drops include:

• Stronghold - non-toxic to animals, can be used for pregnant and lactating dogs. Applicable for puppies who have reached the age of 6 months. The product is compatible with other veterinary drugs and is suitable for dogs of any breed.
• Bars - a domestic flea remedy for dogs, is available in pipettes. One pipette will be enough to handle one dog. The tool is applied to the withers and along the line of the spine. When used correctly, it is highly effective.
• Front line is a fairly powerful insecticidal drug, but if it enters the body of an animal, it can provoke vomiting. Therefore, it should be applied with extreme caution, observing all the rules prescribed in the instructions.

The above preparations are the most popular and managed to earn positive feedback from dog breeders who tested them on their pets. In general, drops are ideal for animals that rarely come in contact with water and live alone, that is, no one will lick them.

Parasite Shampoos

You should immediately warn that flea shampoos for dogs are the least reliable means. Their validity does not exceed 7 days, in addition, not every dog ​​can be bathed, since some breeds simply do not lend themselves to this procedure. In addition, all dogs after bathing begin to actively lick, so the use of antiparasitic shampoos can be dangerous.

Advice! If you still decide to use this particular tool, then you should first talk with dog breeders who solved the same problem for the corresponding breed.

In most cases, these drugs are used for dogs that rarely go outside. With constant contact with infected animals, the use of shampoos does not bring positive results.

For breeds with delicate wool, we can recommend products from the following brands:

• Phytoelitis;
• Beaphar;
• Mr. Bruno.

Important! Flea shampoo for puppies is selected based on the insecticide concentration, which should be minimal. In this case, the first bathing must be carried out with a small amount of funds. Otherwise, there is a risk of adverse reactions: chills, vomiting, etc.

For dogs of large breeds, in which the hair is stiffer and the skin is less sensitive, shampoos can be used:

• Celandine;
  
• Bim;
• Leonardo
• Lugovoi.

But if the dog regularly walks on the street and is constantly in contact with infected animals, then one shampoo will not be enough. For reliable protection in this case it is necessary to apply an integrated approach - to use drops or sprays in parallel, and if the dog allows it, wear an anti-flea collar. For a description of popular brands and selection recommendations, see the article: Flea collars for cats and dogs.

Sprays

Flea sprays for dogs work on the same principle as drops - they repel parasites with their pungent odor. But since the spray is applied along the entire length of the coat, it is more effective.

Important! When using these products, it is necessary to wear gloves, treat only in the open air, after which the dog should not be ironed and not allowed to lick its lips for several hours.

Almost all antiparasitic sprays are low toxic, but after the dog licks them, the effectiveness of the drug will be reduced. And in some cases, this can lead to poisoning of the animal, which will manifest itself in the form of difficulty breathing, chills, and even vomiting, dermatitis and allergies are very rare.

It is best to treat flea dogs with sprays immediately before a long walk or training of the animal. In this case, the pet will be busy and will not lick the drug, and the tool itself will have time to act.

The most popular sprays are:

• Hartz;
• Leopard;
• Front line;
• Celandine.

Now you know how you can rid a dog of fleas, but remember that any drug requires compliance with the instructions for use, as well as regular use. And if you have chosen an integrated approach, it is imperative to follow security measures. And in any case, you should first look into the veterinary clinic and consult a specialist.