The problem of infecting a dog with various skin parasites is probably painfully familiar to every dog lover. The appearance of fleas in an animal is fraught not only with the occurrence of corresponding symptoms, which include severe itching, anxiety, lack of appetite and sleep, but also with a host of other problems.
Fleas act as carriers of dangerous diseases, helminth infections. Integrated control of parasites includes mandatory treatment of the infected animal with insecticidal agents, the most popular and effective of which are shampoos.
These medications are used to rid your pet of fleas, prevent their appearance, and care for their fur.
The most effective
To choose an effective flea shampoo for dogs, it is recommended that you first familiarize yourself with the line of drugs in this group.
The safest for the animal, but with highly effective properties are the following::
- Phytoelite shampoos. The products in this line are presented in several varieties, the composition of which is enriched with a large number of components of natural origin. They have a mild antiparasitic effect and are inexpensive. Phytoelite shampoos can be used to treat parasitic infestations in puppies more than two months old.
- Celandine. This shampoo also contains herbal ingredients and contains permethrin, a highly effective flea repellent. It can be used even if the animal is highly infected. In the line of drugs in this group there are several options for shampoos intended for animals of certain breeds and age groups.
- Bifar. This product is in a relatively high price segment and is of good quality. The composition contains a complex of various active ingredients that have a complex effect, helping to remove fleas and improve the condition of human skin and hair.
- Doctor ZOO. This flea shampoo can be used to treat the smallest puppies, less than two months old. The composition of the product includes only natural ingredients of natural origin, which makes it completely safe to use. It can be used for frequent grooming of the puppy’s coat and prevention of fleas.
- Mr. Bruno. This shampoo is highly effective, but its composition includes toxic components, which precludes the use of the product for treating puppies. The drug must be used in strict accordance with the instructions.
Before using shampoos, it is important to make sure that the dog does not have wounds, scratches, or skin diseases.
The presence of these can cause a deterioration in the animal’s condition after antiparasitic treatment.
Symptoms of infection
The presence of fleas can be detected by inspection. When infected, black parasites or their eggs appear in the pet’s fur, which look like small dark or white balls. They are most often located in the armpits, ears and croup.
The following symptoms indicate the presence of these insects in a pet:
- severe itching;
- the formation of ulcers on the pet’s body;
- lack of appetite;
- excessive hair loss;
- restless behavior.
Selection rules for a specific situation
When choosing a shampoo for a dog, you should definitely take into account a number of important factors, for example, the age of the animal, the degree of its infection, breed, length and thickness of the coat. For example, the best flea shampoo for puppies contains a minimal amount of insecticides, prevents further reproduction of fleas, and helps destroy existing parasites. Often shampoos in this group contain plant extracts, that is, they are completely safe.
Bath products containing small amounts of toxic agents are recommended for regular bathing of animals that are often at risk of flea infestation. These include dogs that have free access to the street or are in contact with relatives.
Products containing a significant amount of insecticides are used to get rid of parasites in adult animals. At the same time, they should be used only as a therapeutic, but not a prophylactic agent.
Before using highly toxic flea medications, it is recommended to show the animal to a specialist.
The Best Flea Sprays and Aerosols for Dogs
With the onset of spring, problems related to the health of pets worsen. The risk of infection increases, because not only ticks, but also fleas carry dangerous diseases. To reduce the risk of infection, you should take care of protecting your dog in advance. Inexpensive and effective sprays have a repellent effect and are completely harmless.
The list of the best sprays and aerosols for fleas includes the following products:
Bolfo (Bayer)
The aerosol has antiparasitic properties that affect lice, fleas and ticks. Used to treat the animal's place of residence in order to more effectively destroy parasites. In case of contact with the mucous membrane, it may cause slight irritation. It is recommended to use in an open area or in a well-ventilated area. The procedure should be repeated several times until the insects are completely destroyed.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Weight | from 4 kg |
| Duration of action | 10-15 days |
| Volume | 250 ml |
pros
- harmless;
- easy to spray;
- nice smell;
- instant results;
- effectively fights parasites.
Minuses
- small volume;
- high price.
Review: “Good spray. We've been using it for six months now. After use, all parasites disappeared. In addition, the fur became smooth. A universal remedy.”
Beaphar
Made with natural oils to protect dogs from fleas and ticks. The composition includes lavender oil, which is very unpleasant for insects and at the same time completely harmless for dogs. It has a beneficial effect on the animal's skin, has antibiotic properties, and has an antifungal and antiviral effect. Improves the appearance of the coat, reduces itching from bites. Can be used every 2 weeks for preventive purposes.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Weight | from 4 to 8 kg |
| Duration of action | 20 days |
| Volume | 150 ml |
pros
- harmless;
- improves the appearance of the coat;
- nice smell;
- sprays well;
- qualitative.
Minuses
- high price;
- gives off an alcoholic aroma.
Review: “We walk the dog in the forest every day. We have to process wool almost daily. Does not cause allergies or irritation. He is our assistant in the fight against ticks.”
Frontline
The spray is designed to combat fleas and ticks in animals. Treatment is carried out in an open area to avoid contact with the mucous membrane. The procedure should be repeated several times, and the animal’s place of residence should also be treated. This effective and high-quality product is widely used in veterinary medicine. Does not cause adverse reactions. Destroys both flea eggs and adult fleas within 2 months.
| Characteristic | Meaning |
| Weight | from 4 to 25 kg |
| Duration of action | 45 days |
| Volume | 100 ml |
pros
- acts quickly;
- qualitative;
- has no specific odor;
- good sprayer;
- washes off easily.
Minuses
- price;
- small volume.
Review: “Previously we used shampoos to fight parasites, but now we switched to a spray, it is much more effective. The bottle is enough for several times. Doesn’t cause irritation.”
How to use
To rid your animal of parasites, it is important to know how to properly wash your dog with flea shampoo. This kind of procedure is quite simple, but failure to follow some recommendations may lead to the lack of the desired result.
It is necessary to take into account the animal’s habits, its disposition, and behavioral characteristics . If the dog does not tolerate water well and is afraid to swim, you should not force him; you can resort to a number of some tricks, which are presented below.
Preparation
Before using flea shampoo, it is recommended to first comb the animal's fur. This measure will help remove a certain number of fleas and rid the animal of tangles, that is, clumps of matted fur. If you leave them, even the most effective shampoo will not be able to cope with fleas. If the fur is very matted, the tangles should be cut off.
You should not bathe your animal immediately after eating or on an empty stomach. Since adult dogs are fed twice a day, it is advisable to carry out water procedures between these two meals. You should not bathe a sick animal. Also, treatment will have to be postponed if there are flea scratches or wounds on the dog’s skin.
Bathing
Before washing your dog with flea shampoo, it is important to consider the animal's behavior.
If your dog does not tolerate water treatments well, flea repellent can be used as follows::
- Fill a small basin with water or put it in the bottom of the bathtub. Next, add the amount of anti-flea shampoo required for bathing the animal. You should know that each product has certain dosages, which should be calculated according to the dog’s age, size, and coat thickness. After obtaining a thick foam, thoroughly treat the dog's fur with it, and then rinse carefully using a warm shower.
- If bathing is to your pet’s taste, treatment can be carried out as follows: first, you should thoroughly wet the animal’s fur, using a shower or filling a bathtub with water. Next, lightly foam the amount of detergent required according to the instructions in your palms, then apply it to the wool and rinse it thoroughly. Afterwards, it is important to rinse off the foam completely.
It is not recommended to leave foam on the animal, as the use of insecticides can lead to poisoning of the dog.
Procedures after swimming
Equally important are the measures taken after bathing the dog. To prevent re-infection, you need to completely replace your pet’s bedding, in which hordes of blood-sucking creatures may well nest. If this is not possible, you need to boil the litter and then freeze it outside for several hours. However, the best option is replacement.
If possible, it is recommended to limit the animal’s contact with stray brothers. It is these dogs that are often sources of infection in healthy pets. It is periodically recommended to use any mild shampoo to prevent the appearance of parasites in your pet.
Important instructions for use
A direct contraindication to the use of any product is the presence of individual intolerance to the components. It manifests itself in an allergic reaction on the skin - itching, burning, redness, inflammation, rashes. With severe allergies, there is a deterioration in well-being - tremors of the limbs, trembling throughout the body, loss of appetite, drowsiness, apathy, irritability, anxiety, increased salivation, lacrimation. At the first sign of an allergic reaction, the dog should be washed with regular soap and given an antihistamine by mouth. The condition returns to normal within a day.
You should not use flea shampoo frequently. The instructions for each product indicate the duration of action and the re-treatment period. Violation of this rule leads to an overdose and side effects. The most common phenomenon is irritation, peeling of the epidermis, itching.
The shampoo is applied to damp hair, foamed thoroughly, left for 5 minutes, and rinsed off. Dry the wool with a towel, napkins, and comb with a comb. If your pet is afraid of water or does not like water procedures, whisk the foam separately in a basin, apply to the fur, leave for 5 minutes, and rinse off. This method is also suitable for small puppies.
How the shampoo works
Before treating your animal, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with how flea shampoo for dogs works. Products containing only plant extracts are more often used to provide a preventive effect and have a distinct odor that repels parasites.
The principle of operation of almost all shampoos, the composition of which includes insecticidal substances, is somewhat different . Products in this group create a thick sticky foam, which prevents fleas from moving and helps separate nits from hairs, as a result of which most parasites are literally washed away during bathing.
In addition, medicated shampoos have a detrimental effect on blood-sucking insects, helping to soften the insect’s hard integument. Due to this property of the drug, a flea exposed to it dies within a few days.
Is it possible to process
It is imperative to treat a flea infestation in a pregnant dog, since the lack of measures taken can lead to unpleasant consequences, for example, the death of the offspring.
However, you should choose a safe medicine for fleas in pregnant dogs, which includes low-toxic substances. It is better to do this under the guidance of a veterinarian.
Popular questions
How often can you wash your puppy with flea shampoo? Puppies 1 and 2 months old do not need frequent bathing, since they have virtually no contact with adults infected with fleas. When fleas are detected in the litter and the mother, it is recommended to simultaneously treat all members of the canine family .
How often can an adult dog be washed? If the dog has access to the outdoors, it is recommended to bathe it as soon as its fur gets dirty. For preventive treatment of wool, bathing once every two to four weeks is sufficient.
Do I need to use additional antiparasitic agents? The need to use them arises only when the animal is highly infected.
Folk remedies for fleas
Folk remedies are a fairly effective way to combat fleas. They are safe for humans, but take longer to achieve results. This remedy can be made at home from herbs. Tansy and wormwood are used for this. Brew the tincture and treat the home. Wormwood branches can be placed in the corners of the house where fleas accumulate most. Coniferous shavings have a similar effect. Baking soda works great against parasites. It is necessary to mix it with salt and treat all places where the pet rests.
If fleas are found on an animal, you should immediately contact a specialist who will prescribe the correct and effective remedy to combat this problem. You should not delay the procedure and give a chance to parasites that can multiply quickly.
Possible consequences
One of the common side effects of treating animals for fleas is the development of an allergic reaction. Similar problems are possible both when using special anti-flea drugs and traditional medicine.
Most special products are toxic. After them, the following negative reactions are sometimes observed:
- chills;
- vomit;
- diarrhea;
- labored breathing.
The deterioration of the dog's condition negatively affects future puppies.
Frontline and Bars spray
Insectoacaricidal preparations containing fipronil as the active ingredient, as well as auxiliary substances and solvents. Available in the form of a 10% solution for topical (spot) application, as well as in a bottle with a sprayer.
Recommendations:
- on plants it is used at the rate of 1 ampoule per 400 ml of water;
- re-treatment after 7 days;
- do not mix with other drugs.
Note:
Fipronil belongs to the class of Phenylpyrazoles. This is a contact and intestinal insectoacaricide with a wide spectrum of action, has moderate systemic properties and good residual activity when treating leaves, and can be used for treating and treating seeds. From my own experience: the effect on plants is comparable to the effect of neoron. It kills ticks very well, but is highly toxic.
Toxicity:
The drug has a hazard class 3, does not cause skin irritation, but irritates the mucous membranes. A similar active ingredient among herbal medicines is found in products called Regent and Adonis, which have hazard classes 2 and 3, respectively (highly toxic to humans and animals).
Security measures. Process flowers only outdoors. When working with the drug, avoid getting the solution and dust into the eyes and open areas of the body. Eating, drinking and smoking is not permitted.
After work, wash your hands and face thoroughly.
First aid for poisoning: if the drug gets on the skin, wash off with soap and water; In case of contact with eyes, rinse thoroughly with running water; if it enters the digestive tract, drink 3-4 glasses of water, induce vomiting, take several tablets of activated carbon, seek medical help.
We carry out disinfection of the premises
To eliminate parasites from a dog, it is not enough to just treat the dog. The bloodsuckers that live nearby will come back again after the medicine expires. As a result, it is necessary to simultaneously clean the living quarters and the booth in which the animal lives. To disinfest an apartment, you can use one of the following methods:
- Heat treatment. In winter, things are taken out into the cold; a couple of hours are enough for the parasites to die. You can kill fleas by boiling or pouring boiling water over things.
- Chemical substances. The floor, walls, corners, utility rooms are treated with Karbofos, Reid, Fenaxin. They resort to insecticidal agents - sprays, powders, which were used to treat the animal.
- Home methods. To clean the room, use wormwood, kerosene, and pine sawdust. The death of parasites is possible with kerosene disinfestation. Using prepared decoctions and infusions from plants, wipe all surfaces in the room 2-3 times a day. Lay out the wormwood where the baseboard goes, in the corners, under the furniture. Regularly add a new portion when the previous one dries out.
- Professional services services. In difficult situations and when the methods of control used are ineffective, they turn to specialized services. Treatment by professionals involves the artificial organization of fine particles of steam that contain an insecticide. Particles settle, getting inside porous materials, causing the death of bloodsuckers.
The pet's kennel also requires treatment. The same methods are used as in the house. The animal's bedding is burned. To prevent the return of insects, wormwood and tansy are placed around the booth and in it.
To choose the right drug for bloodsuckers, it is better to consult a veterinarian. He will prescribe a remedy that will correspond to the age and other characteristics of the pet.
Brief characteristics of parasites
Fleas are ectoparasites, i.e. creatures that live on the surface of the body of another living creature. Insects are small in size (up to 4 mm) with a dark body and a yellow belly.
Their body is flattened and covered with a hard shell, their long limbs are covered with bristles. Due to the structural features of the limbs (they are directed backwards), insects can jump high and easily move along the fur of the “host”.
They reproduce by laying larvae on the fur and skin of animals. These parasites can live for at least 3 years.
Protecting your pet during walks and everyday life
It is better to follow preventive measures than to get rid of bloodsuckers.
Prevention methods
To reduce the risk of parasite infection, dog owners should adhere to the following preventive measures:
- carry out regular treatment, disinfection and replacement of the pet’s bed;
- keep your home clean;
- wash the enclosure, booth;
- examine the dog after going out into the yard, walking, mating;
- protect the dog from contact with other dogs;
- wear a flea collar;
- As a preventative measure, treat the animal with appropriate drops 2 times a year.
Fleas will not appear if you follow these measures. If you are unable to remove bloodsuckers from your animal on your own, you need to make an appointment with a veterinarian.
Security Overview
Preparations for insects that live on a pet’s body can have a repellent, destructive or complex effect. Many drugs against ectoparasites have a wide spectrum of action; they both repel and destroy insects.
How long the medicine will act depends on the properties and concentration of the main elements of the drug.
Medicines to protect against bloodsuckers:
- Tablets - Bravecto, Simparica, Comfortis, Frontline, Nexgard;
- Sprays – Frontline, Bars, Hearts;
- Injections – Ivermectin, Eprimek, Lufenuron;
- Collars – Bars, Hearts, Celandine, Foresta;
- Drops – Celandine, Barrier, Advocate, Advantix, Bars forte;
- Shampoos – FitoElita, Dana, Lugovoi, Bars;
- Powder – Celandine, Sanal, Insectal.
Benefits of use
Anti-flea shampoos have an optimal price-quality ratio, they are easy to apply, they have virtually no contraindications or side effects, most of them can be used to treat pregnant and lactating females, elderly and weakened pets.
Disadvantages - short-term effect, with frequent use of the same product, redness and irritation, increased dryness of the skin sometimes appear.
In specialized pharmacies and clinics it is easy to find an effective means for killing fleas, which shampoo is better to choose, how many times to bathe, dosage, a specialist will tell you. The choice of product depends on the age, weight, lifestyle and general condition of the pet
Preventive actions
To protect your home from fleas, you should follow simple requirements.
- Carry out frequent general cleaning - at least once a week, wash floors with disinfectant, vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture.
- Treat your pet for parasites in a timely manner.
- Wash outdoor shoes thoroughly.
It is enough to observe the usual hygiene requirements, which are the same at all times. But the main thing is to carefully monitor the animal, since in most cases it is the animal that can bring parasites into the house.
