Fleas (Fleas on pet)

Frontline is a popular medication that works effectively against the flea infestation (other similar products will do fine as well, but consult with your vet first). There should be a particular dosage used on your pet, so it won't come to an overdose reaction.

It is recommendable to use it on the same day you treat your house.

Never use Feline Frontline on dogs, or Canine Frontline on cats. It won't work.

The product price and specifications can be found on Amazon, e.g. for dogs or for cats.

Dip your pet into a baby shampoo bath (you can even wash them with citrus-based dish washing liquid). Majority of the fleas will fall into the water and drown.

If you are buying the commercially sold pet shampoos, depending on whether you have a cat or a dog, be careful with the ingredients. Some shampoos can be toxic for cats, especially the ones for our daily use, and that is exactly why you should check particularly for a feline shampoo with mild ingredients like oatmeal. As for dogs, you can simply dip them in warm water and let them chill for some time, since they like water, and the possibility of the fleas drowning is higher that way.

Aside from Frontline which can come in a shape of a collar or liquidy substance that rub into your pet's skin and hair, flea sprays come in many shapes and sizes and are pretty much effective preventatives when it comes to flea infestation.

The thing you should look for in your flea sprays are "metophrene", "fenoxycarb", and "pyriproxyfen" insecticides for total extermination. But when dealing with these substances, pay attention to the toxicity information as stated on the "Entirely Pet's Blog":

Please note that toxicity information is included for your benefit, though products that utilize these ingredients do so in small amounts that are incapable of harming pets or humans when used appropriately. The vast majority (+95%) of users do not experience side effects associated with these ingredients and many that do experience them due to improper usage such as ingestion of a topical product or an inappropriately large dosage.

In case you have a cat, you can find in the same source:

Because cats should not ingest permethrin due to their inability to metabolize this synthetic parathroid, it is important not to use it in a household where cats may come in contact with it. This being said, permethrin is minimally harmful to humans and dogs unless an excessively large amount is applied or ingested.

Make sure to spray the tiniest corners of your house - from rugs and carpets, to hardly reachable corners and floor cracks. Larvae usually hide in the dark places, so pay special attention to these parts.After spraying the house, leave it together with your pet for a couple of hours. The process should be repeated every 2 weeks if the effectiveness is to be achieved!

A very effective method for fighting the fleas is a flea comb, or lice comb. The high density between the teeth helps remove the fleas and flea dirt (flea feces) with ease and for sure, from both hairs and fur. In combination with bathing and shortening the pet's hair, it helps get rid of the fleas, at least for a period of time if the prevention isn't applied.

Keeping your pets away from the hotspots where the fleas lurk for the free supply of blood, will help you reach your goal of ridding yourselves from them properly. Which can actually pose a problem if you have a dog, or a cat that's used to the leash.

Golden rule is to try to keep your pets away from the tall grass and gravels for at least 30 days in continuity, so that there is no further risk of them hosting a new set of fleas.

In case you have a dog you need to take for a walk every day, or even a cat that needs to walk or be walked from tme to time, then this solution may not work for you (at least not in its entirety). In that case, use flea preventative every 30 days as an alternative. 

In case you have a toy dog or a cat that is perfectly fine with not leaving the house or flat but simply sleeping all day long, then your problem is solved. You can stop using the flea preventative after a 4-month period has ended, or even after you cannot catch any sign of your dog/cat brutally attempting to commit a self-decapitation.

This mixture does miracles for your pet, only if you are persistent to pull this method off properly. You need

• 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
• 4 cups of water

You simply mix these two and pour the cocktail into your pet's bowl. This mixture will make your pet's blood acidic to fleas after only 2-3 times.

Citrusy essences can help a lot get rid of the annoying pests.

Squeeze either a lemon or an orange juice, and use the rind only to rub it into your pet's hairs and skin. The effect is a wonderful smell your pet will give off, which can effectively suffocate the fleas. It is safe to use it and the pets won't mind either the smell or the taste if it comes to the licking test.

Believe it or not, fleas hate vinegar - a lot! So if you have these tendencies towards making your own stuff - homemade remedies and such, homemade flea spray with a touch of vinegar may come well in handy. And it is perfectly safe and natural to use it on your beloved four-legged hairy or furry friend.

The recipe is as follows:

• a clean spray bottle ( potentially one that did not contain any cleaning agents or anything similar)
• 1/2 l water
• 1/2 apple cider vinegar

Simply mix everything, do a bit of shaking and there is your spray. Feel free to spray your pet as much as you feel necessary. Let the pet air dry (if warm enough in the house or outdoors), and repeat the process as many times as you wish.Even if the pet can't help licking the mixture, vinegar won't taste as offensive as we fear.

 You should know that the homemade flea spray can't kill fleas on contact. It is a natural process that requires a proactive approach.

Another very useful and natural home remedy, perfect as the main ingredient for your homemade spray is certainly a lemon juice.

You need:

• 1-3 lemons
• pint of water
• empty clean spray bottle (the one that previously hadn't contained any of the cleaning agents or similar chemicals)

Depending on how strong you want your spray to be, get some lemons, cut them into slices, place those slices in the pint of water, and let it come to boil. It should steep overnight. In the morning, simply fill the bottle up and shoot!

You should know that the homemade flea spray can't kill fleas on contact. It is a natural process that requires a proactive approach.

If your furry pet is going through a painful episode of experiencing an ever-present itching, hysterical scratching, biting and chewing of their own skin and body, as well as rubbing itself on a hard piece of object, or even better - rolling on the ground, ocassionally letting out this really faint whine, then your dog is definitely suffering a heavy form of "pruritus" - a strong desire or sensation which makes the dog/cat ease the unpleasant feeling on their skin. The other name for pruritus would be dermatitis or simply skin hypersensitivity to bites and infections.

Pruritus is usually caused by pests like fleas and lice, but it can also be caused by the weakened immune system, bacterial infections, allergies and abnormal cell development. It can start in the young age of your pet (first to fifth year), but once it becomes chornical, it persists for a long time.

The signs of a more dangerous stage of this condition are the hair loss and scabs on your pet's body. If your pet's skin is overtly dry and if the hairs are shedding more than usual, that's yet another sign you should be looking for. The flea control (oral and topical preventatives) can help a little but cannot entirely cure the condition.Flea comb can help remove the fleas and flea dirt (flea feces). It is recommendable to wash your pet in a lukewarm plain water in order to minimaze the inflamation.

In case of fleas, along with bathing and combing, grooming and clipping your pet's hair may increase the chances of sparing your pet the infestation consequences. It is easier to comb through the affected zones, and the bathing doesn't take as much time. Also, when shortening your pet's hair, a number of fleas may fall off along with the clipped hairs or fur.