My dog has fleas, what now?
Fleas on dogs—most people get itchy just thinking about these tiny creatures. Unfortunately, fleas are a common problem for our loyal four-legged friends. By the time you spot a flea, there are often already hundreds spread throughout the house. An adult flea can produce about 1,000 fleas in just three weeks. Because they are initially invisible and hide in warm, dark places in the home, a real infestation can develop. That’s why in this article, we explain everything about fleas on dogs, their causes, and most importantly, how to combat and prevent fleas.
How does my dog get fleas?
Fleas don’t just hide in grasses and bushes but also in less sheltered places. You could say that wherever mammals live, fleas are present too. Fleas wait for a host, like a dog or cat, to pass by and then “jump on board.” This can happen from bush to dog, dog to dog, or even from cat to dog and vice versa. A flea can jump about one meter on average. For these parasites, it’s very easy to spread and find a new host.
How does a flea infestation develop?
Just one flea is enough to cause a full-blown flea infestation. Once a flea lands on a dog, it feeds on the host’s blood. After this so-called blood meal, female fleas start laying eggs. A female flea lives about three months and lays dozens of eggs daily. When the dog moves, the eggs fall off and spread throughout the house. These eggs hatch into larvae that hide in cracks, crevices, and holes, feeding on skin flakes and flea feces. The larvae spin a cocoon in which they develop into adult fleas. In a warm, humid environment, this happens within 14 days. However, if conditions are less ideal, the larvae can remain in the cocoon from one month up to a year. This is exactly why many flea infestations occur after a vacation. During the vacation, conditions aren’t optimal for fleas, but once you’re back home and life is bustling again, the perfect situation arises. The fleas wait for a host to pass by, and the cycle begins anew.
How do you recognize fleas on dogs and what are the consequences?
Recognizing fleas on dogs is relatively easy. A flea bite causes itching and other skin reactions in dogs. The dog responds by scratching and biting itself vigorously. This can eventually lead to hair loss and wet or oozing eczema. Additionally, fleas can carry viruses and bacteria and are also transmitters of the flea tapeworm. Fleas not only suck blood but also inject infected saliva into the bloodstream. In puppies, kittens, elderly, and chronically ill dogs, bites can cause anemia and weakened immunity depending on the number of fleas. Some animals also suffer from flea allergy, which can cause a severe reaction to a flea bite. Be aware that fleas don’t just make life miserable for your dog—they can also bite you.
Flea control
You naturally want to get rid of these nasty parasites as quickly as possible, but how do you best control fleas? Treating the dog alone is unfortunately not enough. As explained above, the eggs spread rapidly throughout the house. You will need to fight fleas in two steps. First, wash the dog with a special flea shampoo. This shampoo kills the fleas on the dog. Next, vacuum the entire house thoroughly. Don’t forget cracks, holes, and hard-to-reach places where fleas like to hide. You should also vacuum between couch cushions, chairs, your bed, and the car. Blankets, beds, cushions, or other items your dog or cat likes to lie on should be washed as hot as possible—preferably at 90 degrees Celsius, or at 50 or 60 degrees if not. This kills the eggs and larvae. Finally, after all these steps, treat the house with a special environmental spray that kills fleas and eggs.
Flea prevention
Of course, prevention is better than cure. No one wants a dog and a home full of fleas. There are various products on the market to prevent fleas. Think of spot-on treatments for the neck or pills available from the vet; these pills or spot-ons usually protect a dog against fleas for about one month—always consult the package leaflet for instructions.
