How Do I Know If My Dog Has Fleas
A dog with fleas will be itchyvery itchy. Because most pups are covered in fur, youre more likely to notice behavioral changes than bite marks. Watch for the following symptoms:
- Frequent scratching
- Patchy fur and hair loss
- Scabs or flea dirtsmall black flakes that look like ground pepper
If youre seeing the above signs, then its time to get out a flea comban inexpensive fine-toothed comb that works well to pick up fleas and their eggs. Slowly run the comb against the hair pattern and keep an eye out for flea dirt and/or actual fleas. Find a small black critter? Dip the comb in a glass of water with dish soap or rubbing alcohol to drown them.
Its pretty hard to end a flea infestation just by combing, so we recommend investing in a flea treatmentwhich can take a lot of different forms, including oral and topical medications and shampoos.
Its also important not to delay, since fleas arent just uncomfortable in serious cases, they can cause anemia, especially in small dogs and puppies. If you have a small or very young dog with fleas, its a good idea to reach out to your vet immediately.
Symptoms And Side Effects Of Fleas
Fortunately, a flea infestation is easy to identify accurately because you just have to look for critters in your pups fur. That said, German Shepherds have thick coats so a flea infestation can be hidden until it becomes serious.
That means you need to make an effort to thoroughly check your dogs fur regularlyas in weekly.
Aside from actually seeing fleas on your dog, check for other symptoms like:
- Frequent scratching, chewing, licking, or rubbing
- Unusually excessive hair loss and patchy fur
- Sores or red, raw skin
Treating flea infestations is important. Its not just annoying. It can actually lead to other, more serious health problems like:
- Bacterial infections: the open wounds from flea bites and your dogs constant chewing and scratching put your pup at risk for bacteria getting inside those wounds. This can lead to infections on the skin and internally.
- Tapeworms: fleas host tapeworms and as your dog chews, they will likely end up swallowing a few fleas that host tapeworms.
- Anemia: this is a low red blood cell count which is the result of too many flea bites draining too much blood from your poor pup.
- Neurogenic Dermatitis: this is a behavioral problem in which your dog obsessively chews and licks, causing chronic skin problems.
Frontline Plus Flea And Tick Treatment For Dogs
This is a popular flea and tick treatment for German Shepherd. It is good for large breeds. It acts fast, is water-proof, and is long-lasting for the dog.
It is also a preventive treatment because it kills flea and tick eggs. It is great at killing adult flea and ticks. It is a 3 dose supply that lasts for three months.
The treatment is made of strong but safe ingredients that are stored in your dogs oil glands to last up to 30 days. The frontline treatment has been recognized and used by veterinarians as the best for large breeds. If you are trying to prevent Lyme disease from ticks, this treatment kills ticks that cause that disease.
Pros
- It cures and prevents Lyme disease
- It is active for 30 days
- Made from strong but safe ingredients
- It comes in 3 doses
- It is good for large breeds
Cons
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Can My Dog Get Sick From Flea And Tick Bites
Yes, dogs can definitely get sick from flea and tick bites. These pests can transmit a number of serious diseases to your dog, including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis.
That’s why it’s so important to keep your dog on a regular flea and tick prevention program. The best way to do this is to talk to your veterinarian and find out which prevention method is best for your dog.
Will The Flea And Tick Medicine For Dogs Keep My Dog Safe From Future Flea And Tick Bites
The answer to this question depends on the type of medicine you choose for your dog. Some flea and tick medicines are designed to kill adult fleas and ticks, while others are designed to prevent future flea and tick infestations.
If youre concerned about preventing future flea and tick bites, be sure to choose a medicine that is designed to do this.
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What Is The Best Flea Treatment For Dogs
Now more than ever is the time to be proactive about pest prevention. Flea and tick season is at its peak in summertime, so youll want to ensure your dog stays safe.
It’s important to keep in mind that your pet can also be affected by fleas and ticks indoors. So, even if your pet barely heads outside, he’s still at high risk from all of the pests that make their way inside. And because of all the health risks that pests can bring to your pet, it’s highly recommended to stay on top of preventative care year-round, especially for families that live in humid climates.
Are Only Certain Dogs Allergic To Fleas
FAD can develop at any age but most cases of FAD appear between age two and five in most dogs. It is important to note that dogs with other forms of allergies, such as inhaled allergies , tend to be highly sensitive to flea bites, and are therefore much more susceptible to FAD than dogs that do not have other allergic conditions.
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Best Flea Treatment For German Shepherds
Fleas are a common problem for dogs, particularly during the warmer months.
They can cause your dog to itch and scratch, which can lead to hair loss, hot spots, and other skin problems.
Fleas can also transmit diseases to your dog, so its important to get rid of them as soon as possible.
There are several different flea treatments available for dogs, including oral medications, topical solutions, collars, and shampoos.
Some methods are more effective than others, and some are better suited for certain dogs.
The common challenge that most dog owners have is that they dont know how to choose the best flea treatment for their German Shepherd.
How Long Does It Take For Fleas To Die After Flea Treatment
Spot on treatments and collars kill fleas on contact. On the contrary, oral treatment and some topicals need some time as theyre active in your pets bloodstream. This means that a flea has to bite your dog for it to get poisoned and die. Oral treatment usually takes two hours to a day to kill fleas.
You should note that a fleas life cycle consists of the egg, the larvae, the pupae, and the adult stage. Flea treatments kill mostly adult fleas, so you have to repeat the treatment a couple of times to remove them altogether.
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How To Prevent Flea And Tick Infestations
Once your puppy is old enough, its important to start using a monthly flea and tick preventive medication to help ensure that your dog wont be affected by fleas or ticks in the future. Many of the treatments available and are effective for preventing both fleas and ticks. Talk to your veterinarian about the best medication for your dog based on your location, the age and weight of your pet, and more.
Adams Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo With Precor For Dogs And Cats
I should buy stock in this company as I have been using this on my German Shepherd Dogs for years. As you are bathing your pooch you will literally see dead fleas on the shower floor. This is due to the active ingredient Pyrethum.
This stuff is under 10 bucks and will remove every flea from your dog.
That is just the beginning of the battle though. The fleas will jump back on a day or two after the bath.
Be sure to really lather up your dog and let the shampoo sit for 5 minutes. No, making them sit still for 10 minutes wont help. If you start at their neck and work towards the tail and then down to the belly and arms you will be in good shape. I think fleas run right down to their feet when they know the Pyrethum is coming.
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The Best Oral Flea Control Product
Simparica TRIO treats, controls, and prevents more parasites than any other oral product, offering a full month of protection with one easy-to-give flavored pill.
Pros: Protects against more parasites than any other oral product, once-monthly treatment, safe for dogs and puppies 8 weeks of age and older weighing at least 2.8 pounds, easy to administer alone or in food
Cons: Not labeled for use in puppies younger than 8 weeks or breeding, pregnant, or nursing dogs
- Parasites prevented: Adult fleas, flea larvae, five species of ticks, heartworm, hookworms, roundworms, mange mites, and chewing lice
- Duration of effectiveness: Kills adult fleas within 8 hours, 30 days of protection
- Safe for: Dogs over 8 weeks old and weighing at least 2.8 lbs.
- Not labeled for use: Dogs under 8 weeks old and weighing less than 2.8 lbs. pregnant, nursing, and breeding dogs
- Use with caution: Dogs with a history neurologic disorders such as seizures
- Prescription: Yes
Our pick for best oral flea control product for dogs is Simparica TRIO, a chewable tablet that is fast-acting and kills more parasites than any other oral product. Simparica TRIO starts to work within four hours and kills 100% of adult fleas on dogs within eight hours.
Best Prevention Flea Treatment For Dogs Tips And Practices
Using aggressive, yet effective , treatments for your dog is excellent. But nevertheless, if you dont do something about your home and the surrounding environment, youll be facing fleas, and who-knows-what, time and again.
Here are some tips on what you should do to prevent fleas at home:
- Clean your backyard. Fleas love hiding in cracks and crevices where theres lots of moisture.
Spray your backyard with a pesticide thats safe for your family, your dog, and the environment. Mow your lawn regularly and keep the shrubs well-spaced and tidy to prevent infestation.
- Safeguard your property. Put up fences to prevent feral animals from entering your yard and infecting your pet.
- Consider professional help. Buying the best flea treatment for cats and dogs is all fine and dandy. However, you should still call a professional to clean your home thoroughly to ensure that no fleas are left behind.
- Use a pet hair vacuum. Also, clean and mop your floors and other surfaces to remove flea eggs, larvae, pupae, and adult fleas. Leave no space untouched, especially dark places fleas just love those.
Also, be sure to throw out the vacuum bag after each use.
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Natural Chemistry Upholstery De Flea Trigger
This is a spray for your couches, carpet, and anywhere else your dog might lie down. Since fleas are jumpers, they tend to get into carpeting and upholstery where they lie in wait for a victim.
So you can use this spray to get rid of any stray fleas around your house so that they dont spread to your other pets or re-infest your German Shepherd after youve treated it.
With that said, its not a standalone treatment. You wont get rid of the fleas on your German Shepherd, just the ones that jump off of him. And while this is definitely important, its not enough to totally clear up the flea problem.
So we highly recommend this product but we recommend using it in combination with a medication that you give to your dog or a flea shampoo. Read more about those below.
Flea And Tick Prevention Chewable Pills For Dogs
- Enriched with oatmeal to provide soothing relief from itchy, irritated skin
- For dogs and puppies 6 months of age and older
- Includes one, 18 fluid ounce bottle
- Cleansing, fresh-scented shampoo kills fleas and ticks through contact
- Can be used weekly for preventative treatment, while cleaning and deodorizing
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Capstar Oral Flea Treatment For Dogs
Image courtesy Chewy
Capstar is a fast-acting, safe, and effective flea treatment for dogs. The adult fleas on dogs are killed within 30 minutes of beginning Capstar Oral Flea Treatment for Dogs.
Capstar Oral Flea Treatment for Dogs is available in four different tablet sizes to administer to dogs of various weights via mouth. The most frequent adverse effects seen in dogs include itching, scratching, licking, and panting.
Merial Frontline Plus Flea And Tick Control
This is a fantastic flea medication thats perfect for larger breeds like your German Shepherd. In just 3 doses, it can effectively eliminate an infestation. It kills flea eggs, fleas, and even ticks.
When youve got a late stage problem and you need to kill a lot of fleas really fast, this is the treatment to get.
A word of caution: this should not be used on young puppies and smaller dogs. Its very strong, heavy duty stuff. So if your German Shepherd is younger than 8 weeks, you should use something gentler.
However, for dogs 8 weeks and up , this is a highly effective and thorough treatment that is easy to apply and acts fast.
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How We Selected Products
We consulted with two veterinarians for advice regarding the treatment and prevention of fleas and other parasites in dogs. Although this information guided us in our product selection, our veterinary experts did not endorse any of the products included in this guide unless explicitly mentioned in direct quotes.
We also conducted research using the quick product reference guide published by the independent, nonprofit Companion Animal Parasite Council. This helpful reference, which includes all FDA and EPA-approved parasite control products for small animals, lists each product’s active ingredients, how the product is used, and which parasites it controls.
Archer Insect Growth Regulator
This is used in combination with Conquer .
What is an IGR, you ask? IGRs prevent an insect from reaching maturity. This helps with infestations because immature insects cannot reproduce.
Be sure to read the instructions on this thoroughly. This is heavy duty stuff and if you use it wrong you will regret it.
When used with Conquer, insects will die and not come back for many many months.
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The Most Popular Flea Control Method Used By Dog Owners Is The Application Of Frontline To The Dog
This powerful flea treatment contains only one ingredient clove oil. You can simply drop a few drops of this essential oil into your dogs bedding. The first time you apply the treatment, it may sting the animal and give him or her some discomfort. However, within a few days, your dog should be free of all bites.
Another popular treatment for flea infestation is called Frontline plus for dogs. Unlike topical treatments, Frontline for German Shepherds contains a two-step system of treatment. First, the solution is applied to the coat. Next, the dog is placed in a sealed room with the aid of an airtight blanket. This two-step treatment prevents the tick from being able to enter the dogs skin.
Another effective flea control treatment for German shepherds is called Revolution. This treatment is best administered by a veterinarian. It contains Frontline plus for dogs, which contains ingredients like Drillex, Biotene, and Bostitch. These ingredients have been proven effective in eliminating ticks from dogs. Your vet should always consult with you on the ingredients contained in many flea treatments for your German shepherd before administering them to your pet.
Home Remedies For Getting Rid Of Fleas
Here are a few home remedies that can help treat a flea problem. As standalone treatments, theyre effective for early stages of flea infestation. Youll want to opt for medical grade treatments for serious infestations.
- Citrus: rub orange or lemon juice on your dogs coat. Fleas are repelled by the strong, acidic citrus odor. And your dog will smell lemon fresh!
- Bath: a refreshing swim in the pool or in the bathtub is a great defense. Fleas cant cling to skin or hair so they will be washed away with the current of the water. Submerge the dog fully. Or, if they wont put their head under, manually remove the fleas that congregate on top of its head to escape the waters.
- Predators: you can buy beneficial insects for your yard that feed on fleas and their eggs. This can help minimize the risk of repeated infestations.
- Essential oils: massage rose geranium oil into your German Shepherds coat. Like citrus, this essential oil repels fleas and ticks. .
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Tekko Pro Igr Insect Growth Regulator
You can use the above IGR in your home, but I am personally afraid to.
That said, Tekko works and is really high tech stuff, and the only IGR out there with two ingredients to kill flea babies: Pyriproxyfen is a juvenile hormone analog, while novaluron is a novel chitin synthesis inhibitor.
An IGR in combination with an insecticide works wonders.
Frontline Flea Spray For Dogs And Cats
Frontline® sprays do not contain the potentially toxic insecticides found in many pet store sprays, and this one is a one-stop-shop for any household that has both cats and dogs. It is also safe to use if you have kittens or puppies in your property, and is water-resistant so it is still effective even if you like in an area with a high rainfall.
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