How to Prevent Your Dog from Getting Fleas

Fleas are minor, wingless, blood-sucking parasites/ insects found on the outer side of the body, causing health issues. Have you ever noticed your uncomfortable dog wildly scratching himself or trying to bite the skin? If yes, then indeed, it will be infested with fleas. Now, you may want to help the dog and look out for how to prevent your dog from getting fleas. Then, please stick around and give it a read to get answered.

How can a dog get fleas?

Fleas infecting your dog are 95% in immature forms (eggs or larvae), which mature into adults under warm and humid conditions and in the presence of a host animal. Once an adult attaches to an animal, it start laying eggs on the animal's hair which then fall into the surrounding environment, such as bedding or garden soil. So, the primary source of infestation is the pet's environment. Fleas can leap from one infected to another by close contact.

How to know your dog has fleas?

Fleas can make your dog's life miserable. To be sure that your dog has a fleas infestation or not, look out for the following signs;

• The dog has bumps or red patches on his skin, hair loss in some areas, and thickened skin.
• The dog is continuously scratching, biting, and licking his body. Your canine friend can have fleas or flea allergies.
• You visualize the fleas crawling through your pup's fur or seeing the tiny bits of very dark specks/ fleas feces on your dog's coat.
• The dog is more anxious than normal
• Dog's gums are pale due to anemia caused by fleas

How can fleas harm your dog?

Flea bites are very irritating and painful and are the common cause of skin damage and diseases in pets. Some fleas' bites can develop severe allergic reactions resulting in a skin condition characterized by hairless, itchy spots on the back or at the base of the tail. Puppies or old pets can develop anemia from heavy flea infestations. Fleas can also transmit tapeworms to dogs.

How do we prevent dogs from getting fleas?

Flea prevention is effective when targeting all stages of the flea life cycle and preventing them from reproducing. Flea preventatives can be used in the form of a tablet or spot-on applied to the skin. Flea collars or sprays can kill the fleas on your pet.

Flea removal in the environment is essential for complete control as the fleas can survive for months. Treating the environment involves cleaning the source areas like bedding, floors, furniture, and garden daily. Pet beddings and kennel areas are sprayed with flea-repellent solutions.

Limit the outdoor time, particularly in warm and humid months. Limit contact with wild or stray animals, which can be a source of fleas' transmission. Give daily bathing. Regular brushing of the hair coat provides the opportunity for fleas check.

Flea control can be a never-ending battle for pet owners until they know how to prevent dogs from getting fleas. Controlling the different life stages of fleas from your pet and environment is only the key to succeeding in this battle.