How do Dogs get Fleas?
The flea problem: those pesky little bugs have an annoying knack of popping up everywhere. Despite your best efforts of keeping them off your dog, they still somehow manage to get their way.
These annoying little creatures find ways to get into your home and onto your pets even when you take precautions. And all it takes is just a couple of the blood-suckers to set off a full scale infestation on your pet and in your home. The best you can do is to reduce the possibility of your pet catching them. To do that, you’ll need to know where your dog is picking up fleas.
Fleas From Other Animals
It’s literally impossible to keep every wild animal out of your yard. Not unless you’ve built your home on a ship floating over Pacific. Even with your huge fence, things like feral cats, squirrels and other small rodents will find their way in. And they’ll come carrying fleas. The more such visitors you get, the higher the population of fleas you’ll be dealing with. So make the visitors feel unwelcome by forgetting to leave stuff like corns, nuts and seeds out in the open. Keep your dog’s drinking bowl somewhere only accessible to the dog.
The Human Factor
Yes, you are in danger of infecting your dog with fleas. You and your human friends coming into your home may be flea transporters. Those creatures are so small you’ll probably not notice that you picked them up while you were out on your hike. Getting a free ride on your pants legs, shoes and socks is easy for the fleas.
The Environment
Any time your dog goes out for a walk, run, play date, visit to the vet, a car ride, basically anywhere outside your home, it’s susceptible to fleas. The only assurance is keeping your dog locked up in a sanitized environment, but you can’t do that, can you? So when you’re back from those visits, give the canine a thorough body check. Pay careful attention to the furriest spots on its skin and those deep crevices. Check out places like its neck fur and abdomen, and don’t leave out the arm pits.
Taking care of the Flea Problem
When you discover that your dog has fleas, act fast. There’s a high chance that your home may have fleas too. Don’t panic; the situation can be handled. First things first-deflea your pet, then get to your house later. There are numerous pesticides in the market. Preferably, go for those that target the adult fleas as well as their larvae. Do not immediately give your dog a bath after applying the medication. In fact, wait for 4-5 days. This is as most f the treatments migrate into dog’s subcutaneous fat layer to make the body inhospitable to both fleas and their eggs. Apply the medication gently. The fleas have already made your pet’s skin itchy, sensitive and uncomfortable. Don’t add to its troubles by rough handling.
Now for your home. Just vacuum the whole of it. After you’re done, seal the vacuum bag in plastic and throw it away. You can sprinkle some borax onto the floor and carpet before you do the vacuuming to make the fleas sluggish and easier to collect. Also wash the dog’s sleeping area with hot water. If you find more evidence of fleas, it’s time to call the exterminator.