Flea Control for Dogs

Flea prevention is an important part of dog care.

There are thousands of species of flea but only one, Ctenocephalides felis, affects dogs and cats.

Fleas have long been a thorn in the side of dogs and their owners.

Conditions Caused by Flea Infestation in Dogs

Fleas are more than just a nuisance; they can cause serious health problems in dogs, such as the following:

Flea Life Cycle

In order to control flea infestations, it's important to understand the flea life cycle:

Flea Control Products for Dogs

There are a wide variety of flea control products for dogs. Some are over-the-counter and some are prescription products. Following are the most common prescription products and their actions:

When choosing over-the-counter flea products, it is critical that you read the label carefully. Choose the appropriate product for your dog's weight and age. There are many products that are highly toxic to cats. These can be dangerous even to cats living in a home with a dog treated with them.

This is not an exhaustive list of products. Your veterinarian can help you choose the product or combination of products that best suits your dog's lifestyle and situation.

Flea Prevention Product Resistance

Flea populations may be seen to develop some resistance to a product over time. While this has not been seen in the widespread flea population, it may happen on a small scale such as in a home. Your veterinarian may recommend that you alternate the product that you use periodically. This will make it harder for the flea population to develop resistance to any single product.

Flea Infestation

Prevention is the best medicine, but if you already have a flea infestation in your home, these products can help you control and eliminate it. You may also need to use a product that treats your home and/or your yard. Your veterinarian can help you determine the product or product combination that will help you get rid of the fleas the fastest. It's important to stick with the treatment. It may take several months to break the flea life cycle, and you may continue to see some fleas during that time.

If you’re not sure if your dog has fleas, you can use these tips and video to find out. If you're not sure if your dog has fleas, you can use these tips and video to find out. If your dog is scratching or has skin sores or hair loss, visit your veterinarian right away for a diagnosis and treatment plan.


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Disclaimer: This website is not intended to replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. If you require any veterinary related advice, contact your veterinarian promptly. Information at DogHealth.com is exclusively of a general reference nature. Do not disregard veterinary advice or delay treatment as a result of accessing information at this site. Just Answer is an external service not affiliated with DogHealth.com.