Keeping Your Dog Flea-Free
Oh, so many pet owners quickly say “no,” but are they really sure? With digestible flea and tick control supplements that require fleas and ticks to bite dogs first, before killing these annoying pests, your dog probably has fleas in his coat right now. If your dog is scratching anywhere, especially his rear end, your dog probably has fleas. Before assuming your pooch is flea-free, check him thoroughly first.
How to Check for Fleas
Grab a sturdy flea comb, cedar oil spray (Wondercide or Dr. Ben’s Cedar Spray), an alcohol-soaked paper towel, your dog and a comfy spot on the floor.
Spray a tiny amount of cedar oil on the flea comb, and start combing behind your dog’s ears. After 2 or 3 passes with a comb, lift up the comb to check for fleas. Cedar oil will stun fleas, so they don’t hop off the comb. If a flea is on the comb, wrap the comb in the alcohol soaked paper towel to kill it. Continue combing your dog while moving further down your dog’s body.
Fleas love to nest at the base of your dog’s tail and genital area, so check these areas carefully. If fleas are present, continue to comb the area and kill fleas until no more fleas appear on the flea comb.
Fleas can be anywhere on your dog, so check your dog’s entire body. Remember, presence of adult fleas are the tip of the iceberg; they make up only 5% of your overall flea infestation. Over 95% of a fleas’ population are eggs, lava and pupae, which are hidden deep inside your home or backyard. For best results, spray inside and outside of your home with chemical-free products for a minimum of 4-6 weeks.
How Often Should You Check?
Before assuming your dog is flea-free, check thoroughly using a flea comb. Sometimes, flea dirt (flea poop) is present—basically dried blood—which is a clear telltale sign. During heavy flea infestations, daily flea comb checks work best. Once flea infestations are under control, you should check your dog for fleas every week. During colder months, checking every other month will do.
When in doubt, check your dog for fleas before assuming he’s flea-free. 🙂
