Mary Allen
Fleas are small, mean, and rarely come alone: if you only see one animal in the dog’s fur, you should expect hundreds more that are better hidden. But what is the best way to get rid of the plagues?
Many people think that only homeless strays can get fleas. However, even the cleanest dog and household is not safe from the small animals – an infestation usually occurs by chance, through contact with already affected conspecifics or with eggs, larvae, and pupae in a contaminated environment. Due to their rapid ability to reproduce, a few fleas can quickly gain the upper hand.
Flea in the Fur – Now What?
If you discover even a suspiciously jumping point on your beloved fur nose, you have to act quickly and carefully. The most effective against direct infestation of the dog are antiparasitics that break the cycle of reproduction of the parasites. These can be combined preparations against several types of parasites, which are administered orally in tablet form or applied directly to the skin and coat as a spray, collars, or spot-on. However, these remedies should not only be used for acute treatment, but also as a preventive measure throughout the year, so that the annoying little animals don’t even have a chance. Because if you fail to take preventive measures, you have to expect a lot of work to get rid of the fleas in the long term.
Large Cleaned After Infestation
If you find fleas on the dog, you can be sure that thousands of eggs have already been laid in the area. It is therefore essential, in addition to treating the dog, to thoroughly clean the entire living space with insecticides for environmental treatment. Until the dog is free of fleas, all floors and floor cracks, upholstered furniture, home textiles such as carpets, cushions, blankets, and curtains, and also pet furniture such as dog beds and blankets must be cleaned regularly and carefully. Don’t forget the interior of the car either – otherwise, the flea circus will start all over again. Therefore, the following applies in particular to these parasites: prevention is better than aftercare – and it also saves money, time, and effort!
facts
- Fleas are tiny parasites that feed on their host’s blood
- The saliva triggers the typical
itching - Fleas lay numerous eggs shortly after infestation, which fall off the dog and thus contaminate the environment
tips
- Direct infestation can be effectively treated with antiparasitics
- The dog’s entire environment must be cleaned carefully – otherwise, the flea circus will soon be giving another performance
- So that it doesn’t get that far in the first place, regular flea prevention is advisable