Dog Flea Control:
Stamp out dog fleas, ticks and heartworm!

A dog flea control program, coupled with an aggressive tick removal and heartworm prevention regimine, should be an important aspect of any dog lover's regular pet care and grooming regimen. Just like your dog needs food, love and regular checkups, he needs a method of dog flea control to protect him from the irritation and disease that fleas, and other bugs like ticks and mosquitos, can wreak.

Mosquitos, which bite dogs AND people, can transmit heartworm disease which can be fatal in dogs. In addition, their bites are itchy and when your dog scratches at them, he irritates his skin, opening it up to a host of other potential problems.

Fleas and ticks are other blood-sucking parasites which crawl and jump (rather than fly). They are known for living on the surface of animals' skin, and can use dogs, cats, deer and people as a host! You'll need a good dog flea control program to keep fleas and ticks off your dog and off of you!

Fleas hide in your dog's fur and can multiply rapidly, spreading from your dog or cat, to his blankets, bedding and carpet inside the house. These unpleasant insects can quickly infest your entire home and they are just as happy to bite people as dogs. Because fleas and, to a greater extent ticks, can transmit dangerous, debilitating illnesses like Lyme disease, this is to be avoided at all costs. A strict dog flea control regimen is the solution. Knock out fleas and ticks before they have a chance to establish themselves. Reduce the chance of infection from mosquitos by protecting your dog with heartworm medication.

Eliminating an environment that fosters fleas and ticks is a great first step in any dog flea control program. Fleas and ticks tend to live in shrubby, forested or grassy areas. If you live in an urban apartment, you will probably not have much call to be concerned about fleas and ticks. However, if you live in a more rural area, or you take your dog out to the woods or the park on the weekends, he has a high probability of being exposed to fleas. These dog fleas and ticks which will cling to your dog as he passes by a bush or stalk where they've been hiding, or they may drop down on him from above. To minimize the risk of exposure for your dog while he's around the house, keep your lawn mowed short and keep your dog out of ungroomed brushy areas. It is always a good idea to inspect your dog's skin on a regular basis for the presence of parasites, pay special attention when he is coming back from an outdoor adventure. Physical removal of fleas and ticks is also a valid dog flea control technique.

The best way to reduce the risk of heartworm is to give your dog a monthly heartworm preventative pill. One such brand is HeartGard. These pills can be given orally once a month and your dog will love them and eat them up like candy. This is the single best way to reduce your dog's risk of contracting heartworm if he is bitten by a "carrier" mosquito. Your dog should have heartworm pills given on a year-round basis for the best protection. Vaccinations for Lyme disease are also available for dogs... consult your veterinarian to learn if they are recommended in your area.

With a simple monthly treatment of a dog flea control product, such as FrontLine, or Advantage, during flea and tick season, you can dramatically reduce the likelihood of fleas and ticks calling your dog their home. The dog flea control solution comes in a little sealed dropper. Each application is measured and concentrated specifically for the size/weight of your dog. If you have more than one dog, you should get a separate box of flea control for each one if they are different sizes. You should also get separate flea control formula for your cats.

These dog flea control preparations are made from strong insecticidal chemicals, so it is important to follow the application directions and keep the repellant away from children and other pets.

I find that it is easiest to see fleas on Kera's belly, where the fur is thinner. Fleas tend to congregate around the feathers on the back of her legs and the base of her tail. It is much easier to detect fleas on light-colored dogs, since they tend to be black and small, about the size of the head on a small straight-pin. If you find a flea on your dog, remove it quickly (it may try to run away) and douse it in a cup of soapy water so it will die.

You may also find flea droppings (which won't run or jump away from you when you locate them) which are small and black, they may turn red if you squish them or drop them in water, as they consist of digested blood. If you find flea droppings, that is strong evidence that fleas are living on your dog somewhere. It may be time for a flea bath or to begin a program of dog flea control.

Ticks are much easier to detect. They bury their heads under the dog's skin and their bodies stretch into little brown balloons as they engorge themselves with blood. (I know this is gross, sorry.) If you find a tick on your dog, make your best effort to remove all of it, including the head, with tweezers. Sterilize the tweezers afterwards and sterilize the wound with alcohol or peroxide.

If you notice evidence of fleas or ticks on your dog, you should bathe her, either with a special dog flea shampoo or with regular people shampoo. If you leave her sudsed up for five minutes before you rinse her, the soap should kill any live bugs on your dog. Afterward would be a great time to apply a dog flea control treatment, like FrontLine, or Advantage, if it has been at least 30 days since flea and tick repellant was last applied.

To get the best pricing on dog flea and tick repellant, it makes sense to buy packages containing 3-6 doses, to protect your dog for the duration of the season in your area. Be sure you get the proper dosage for your dog's weight. If your dog is a puppy and still growing, buy flea and tick repellant based on his current weight (3 months worth). Don't get the amount he will need when he is full grown or you may risk over-dosing him which can lead to negative health consequences. It is better to err on the side of giving him a bit too little, than a bit too much.

Explore the Resources Below to quickly and easily by dog flea and tick control products online. Don't forget to pick up some Heartgard, too to keep your dog safe!