12 Practical Remedies to Get Rid of Fleas on Dogs & at Home

Fleas can live and breed inside your home and out in the yard! You may notice fleas crawling on your feet as you walk around your home. They may even bite you too! To make matters worse, your infestation could be much larger than you think.

Fleas go through multiple life stages. So, if you find an adult flea, there are probably hundreds of eggs and young fleas hiding within your carpet or on your furniture.

It's important to address flea infestations as soon as you notice your dog scratching. Thanks to the insect's jumping abilities, infestations are capable of spreading very fast. There's a lot you can do to take care of fleas once and for all. Here are some tips on how to get rid of these pests from your dog and your home.

What You Should Know In Case Your Dog Gets Fleas

As a dog owner, you probably are aware of the importance of preventative treatments for ticks and fleas. But, have you ever armed yourself with the knowledge of how to treat fleas, should your dog get them? Fleas are parasites that can cover not only your dog, but also your home, furniture, rugs, and more. So, if your dog gets fleas, what can you do to help him and ensure the infestation doesn't spread? Try keeping in mind the following tips to minimize the damage a flea infestation can do.

Verify that Your Dog Has Fleas

You may suspect that your dog has fleas. You may see little bugs on his fur or skin. You may also notice that he's very itchy. However, you want to be sure that what's affecting your dog is a flea infestation, and not something else. First, learn to identify what fleas look like. They range in size from the size of a half a grain of rice to a whole grain of rice. They jump (they don't fly), and they leave behind droppings that look like dirt. If you're not sure whether or not your dog has fleas, take him to the vet. The professionals can tell you what's making your dog itch and how to treat him.

Start Treating Him Right Away

If your dog definitely has fleas, you want to act fast to treat him. That's because fleas spread fast, and you want to catch the infestation in the early stages. Talk to your vet about medications for fleas. Then, administer the medication to your dog right away. You want to get a medicine that kills both the adults and the larvae.

Use Flea Shampoo

About a week later, start shampooing your dog in flea shampoo. Be gentle not to irritate overly itchy or tender skin. Flea shampoo is drying and can help kill eggs, larvae, and adults, then rinse them away. Once you've shampooed your dog with flea shampoo, make sure you get a flea comb. Once you comb this through your dogs hair, it'll catch the fleas and larvae and pull them out. Don't worry--they'll already be dead!

Make Sure Your House Does Not Get Infested

Fleas live on dogs. But, they also can live in rugs, on furniture, and on floors (fleas can, surprisingly, live on hard surfaces!) Check your furniture and carpets for signs of fleas. If you find any, get rid of them by sprinkling borax powder. Then, vacuum up all cloth surfaces in order to get rid of any living fleas left behind. Checking your home regularly, vacuuming, and using borax can help stave off any infestations. If you spot signs of fleas and your efforts don't seem to be stopping their spread, consider calling an exterminator to help you.

Hopefully, your beloved pet pooch will never have to deal with fleas. But, if you learn how to properly treat a flea infestation, you can ensure that you not only minimize your dog's discomfort, but that you also protect your belongings and loved ones from being affected, too. If you want to make sure you protect your dogs from fleas properly, ask your vet about Trifexis. Trifexis is a monthly chewable tablet that kills fleas and also prevents heartworm disease.