There Are Several Ways Of Controlling A Dog Flea And Tick Problem!

Controlling A Flea And Tick Problem

There are several ways of permanently controlling a dog flea and tick problem. Believe it or not, but fleas actually don't spend very much time on your dog at all, they spend more time off of your dog.

They do however need blood to survive and if your dog is not protected, unfortunately he becomes dinner. Look for flea dirt around your dog's belly area.

Flea dirt looks like specs of dirt, but it is actually blood. Using a damp cloth, wipe the specs and if it smears red, then chances are it's flea dirt. You can also place a white tube sock on your hand and run the sock down your dog's back between his fur. If fleas are present, you will see them. One thing to remember is that fleas are very good jumpers and can jump approximately three feet.

If you do have an existing flea problem, remember to treat the pet and the environment where he lives. Doing this at the same time is critical for obtaining the best results possible.

Flea Bites Can Cause Allergies In Dogs

Many dogs and cats are allergic to the saliva from a flea. Just one flea bite can cause an allergic reaction with excessive chewing and scratching at the location of the bite.

Other Problems From Fleas And Ticks

Flea bites can also cause tapeworms and anemia in dogs. If you notice what looks like white rice in your dogs stool then this very well could be tapeworms and you should get him to the vet a.s.a.p. with a stool sample.

When dogs are heavily infested with fleas, it's easy for them to become anemic because of the amount of blood that they lose. Plus, their resistance becomes low and they may become lethargic.

Products And Treatments

While there are many dog flea and tick prevention products on the market today, dog owners should beware: Check out the video below regarding the famous spot treatments and other chemical induced flea/tick products:

All Natural Dog Flea Treatment

1.TripleSure Natural Flea & Tick Spray is what we use for our dogs. It's made with botanical oils, it's safe, smells good and more importantly, it's effective. You can read a little more about Triple Sure here.

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2. Diatomaceous Earth aka Diatomite is a safe, chemical free, non-toxic substance made from the fossils of hard shelled algae or diatoms. It is effective for treating fleas, ticks, lice, chiggers and other crawling insects. This chemical free product can also safely be used in the yard to prevent fleas and other insects before they hatch.

Diatomaceous Earth is an excellent product for all dogs and especially for sensitive dogs. Be sure that you purchase the food grade and not the pool filter grade which includes chemicals.

ALERT! Diatomaceous Earth is a very fine powder that is much like tiny pieces of glass. DO NOT dust your dog out doors on a windy day and we recommend wearing a mask so that you are not breathing in these tiny particles. People with any type of lung or breathing problems should use precaution as you would with any fine powder material.

How To Use DE
Put the fine white powder in your hands and dust it through the dog's fur. Be sure to get the tail area. Repeat the process several times but space out every other day or so until you see results. This might be good for dog's that are sensitive to traditional dog flea and tick medicine.

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3. Dr. Ben's Paws & Claws is a cedar oil that has been referred to "as the most advanced BIO substance ever developed for insect control". From what we understand, this product is also good for healing hot spots and mange as well. To use, you simply spray on, but unfortunately it only lasts 2 ours.

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Dog Flea and Tick Medicine | Traditional Chemical Treatments

Although the following products have been common in the past, we prefer and only recommend using all natural products. The key is to stay on top of flea and ticks before they become a problem.

•  Some recommend flea/tick collars for dogs that are under twenty pounds. However, they are not recommended for sensitive or large dogs.

•  Manufacturers say that dips can be effective for dogs with allergies. Never Use dips and collars together and you must thoroughly wet your dog before using a flea dip. The dip should be diluted and thoroughly worked into your dog's fur with a sponge. Follow the manufacturer's dilution instructions exactly.

•  Again, manufacturers say that flea and tick powders are only effective if used frequently and thoroughly worked into the dogs coat, therefore we do not recommend them.

•  According to the makers of traditional flea shampoos, they work well when used as directed. Since they do not have residual action, a topical dip, an application of flea powder or a flea collar should follow. That's alot of chemicals!

The above methods are the products that use chemicals to maintain dog flea control as well as ticks. Remember, these are harsh chemicals and should be used only as directed. Do not over use any of these products. Today there are products available for everyones budget that will keep your dog flea and tick free. Remember to mark your dogs calendar monthly so that you know exactly when to reapply.

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