Perhaps, the most common dog health problem is an infestation of dog fleas. Treating dog fleas can be a real headache for dog owners especially if the flea infestation is not treated promptly.
The parasites known as dog fleas live in the dogs fur and bite the dog. A dog can get a dog flea infestation from another dog, walking though grass, or from the dogs living environment.
In addition to the discomfort from bites, many dogs develop rashes and may lose fur due to a flea bite allergy. An allergy to fleas is an allergic reaction to flea saliva. Dog fleas can also carry diseases.
Why is it important to treat dog fleas quickly? Dog fleas reproduce at a phenomenal rate. A flea infestation can spread from the dogs fur to the household in a short amount of time.
The dog owner must treat the fleas on the dog and the fleas in the house in order to get rid of fleas. Flea shampoos, flea collars, and monthly applications of flea repellents are common flea treatments.
Vacuuming the home thoroughly is often recommended as the first step to flea treatment of a home infestation. The vacuum used should be a powerful vacuum of shop vacuum. Wood floors should be vacuumed since flea eggs, flea larvae, and fleas could be in the cracks and crevices of wooden flooring.
Dog bedding and other cloth around the dog should be washed in hot water and dried on high heat if it will not damage the material. Surfaces that come in contact with the dog like pet kennels and feeding dishes should be washed with hot, soapy water.
Dog flea sprays and flea bombs can be used to treat home infestations. Flea bombs are used to treat several rooms at one time. Flea sprays are often used in smaller areas such as the places where the dog spends the majority of its time.
It is important for the dog owner to follow the instructions on all flea elimination products for the dog and the house. Flea repellents and other flea treatments are chemicals that can be hazardous.
