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The Dog Flea Treatment Center

May 4, 2010 | Permalink

Treating you dog with a good dog flea treatment is essential

Dog scratching on the ground needs a dog flea treatmentIf your dog has fleas, it’s very important for their health (and your home!) to get rid of them. First off, they tend to be incredibly annoying for both your dog, and for the people around them. They can cause severe skin itching and infections, especially from scratching at them. Lastly, they can transmit diseases and tapeworms. It’s incredibly important that, once you’ve established your pup is infested, that you find an effective dog flea treatment before the situation gets out of control.

picture credit musicienne

How do I tell they have fleas?

First sign would be if your dog is scratching and biting itself, especially around their head and tail. They may develop bald spots in their fur due to scratching, as well as their skin getting irritated from the bites. You aren’t immune either, the fleas may spread to the furniture, your clothes, and you. Flea bites often show up as small bumps and an itching rash.

Some Effective Dog Flea Treatment Methods

As they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. Keep a close eye on your canine, especially during the summer and early fall, this is flea season. Give your pet a bath on a regular basis, at least once every week to 2 weeks. This should help to wash away any fleas that have gained a foothold and laid eggs.

Consider getting a dog flea treatment such as a flea collar as well, they’re one of the oldest, most effective ways to prevent fleas. Additionally, they’re available at just about any pet store. Just be sure to pick the right one for your dog by reading the instructions carefully.

Chemical Dog Flea Treatment

There are a wide range of chemical dog flea treatment options available, which include anything from topical medications, drops and sprays, and creams, to oral medications. Ask your veterinarian about some of the most common brands, such as Frontline, Advantage, and Sentinel. They are all highly effective treatment methods.

Once you begin treating your pet for fleas, remember that the fleas aren’t just hiding on your pet. They’re hiding all around you, in your carpeting, your furniture, your bedding, and your clothes. Effective treatment includes treating all these high rish areas to be sure that you don’t get a resurgence.

Don’t attempt to purchase these dog flea treatments on your own, instead be sure to consult a veterinarian. They will inform you of the different options in treatment available, and make a safe choice based on your dog’s weight, age, and history.

Herbal Dog Flea Treatment

One of the oldest and most effective “natural” ways to prevent fleas  is to add a bit of garlic to your pet’s meals. This is a time tested means. A little sulphur, or black walnut hulls (available in many health food stores) will not only help with fleas, but other pests such as ticks and mosquito. These are all slow acting solutions that can take a month or 2 to notice any effect. You can also read our post about natural flea repellent to find more information about natural ways to fight fleas.

To learn more about dog flea treatment tips and other infestations in dogs, visit Heartworm Medicine.

How to keep you dog healthy during summer

April 30, 2010 | Permalink

While we are busy putting sunblock over our bodies and drinking cool pops to refresh our bodies during summer, we often forget about our pets, and just like humans, dogs are sensitive to heat. Hence, because they are covered with fur and unable to tell you if they are hot or cold, it can be difficult for the owner to tell when their friend is danger of overheating. So here are few tips to help you keep your dog healthy, even through a hot summer.

1. Make sure that your dog fur is groomed accordingly to the time of the year. During cold seasons, winter and fall, let the hair grow long, but as soon as warmer seasons arrive, bring your dog to the groomer to trim their fur. Would you like to wear a winter coat all summer long? So doesn’t your dog!

2. Provide your pet with a comfy environment in the house. The dog’s room should not be higher than 77-80 F. If it is too hot for you, then it is too hot for you puppy as well! If it is a very hot summer day, put a little fan near the dog’s sleeping area. You can even use a cool wet cloth in front of the fan to cool down the area by a few degrees.

3. If your dog is spending some day outside on a hot day, make sure that there are cool shaded areas for the dog to rest. Also make to have on hand some cool water for the dog to avoid dehydration.

4. Check you dog’s water bowl. Make sure the bowl is at least half full at all time. Even in the shade, the water in the bowl can become warm, so check the temperature of the water every few hours.

5. Even on hot day, you will still need to give you dog its exercise. However, avoid long walks, exercicing and playing at the park with other dogs in the middle of the day. Opt for early hours, when the temperatures are cooler and the sun less strong. Bring a cool bottle of water and a bowl so the dog can drink after playing.

6. Summer is bugs season. Protect your dog against fleas, ticks and worms by vaccinating them or using specialized anti-bugs products. Remember that fleas and worm infestation can be dangerous for your dog, but the worms or the disease they carry can often also be transmissible to their owner. Heartworm disease is also a pest that affects canines. It is spread through mosquito bites and can be prevented using preventive medication.

7. We will never say it often enough. Do not leave your dog in the car on a hot day during long period of times. If you have to run a quick 5 minutes errand at the pharmacy, make sure to leave the window slightly open and to park the car in a shaded area.

8. Do not attach your dog to a pole, with no or insufficient protection against the sun. If you are going to have lunch or a coffee, make sure that the dog will have a shaded area where to hide from the sun. And remember that sun will move in the sky, so a shaded area could potentially become a dangerously exposed area in the hot summer sun.

Dogs, just like humans, can suffer from heat exhaustion and heat strokes. So take the all the necessary protection for your dogs during summer.

For more information, visit Heartworm Medicine.

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