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{ When should I flea my dog? }
No dog is immune from fleas. What’s more, they can make your life as much of a misery as your dog’s. But with the right dog flea treatment, you could eliminate fleas from both of your lives.
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If you don’t take any preventive measures, you could have a flea infestation on your hands and, as any pet owner knows, the flea cycle is notoriously hard to break. Furthermore, it can lead to allergies, dermatitis and infection. “Fleas can cause irritation which can be very unpleasant,” says Caroline Allen, director at Canonbury Veterinary Practice and PetVet. “They could also cause large sores if your animal is allergic to flea bites.“
So, to avoid the problems flea infestations bring, when should you apply a flea treatment to your dog?
All year round
“With central heating, fleas are now a year round problem,” says Caroline. This is because fleas like to live in warm environments. If your dog has fleas, chances are your home will too. Flea eggs can fall off the host body (your dog) onto carpets, bedding and furniture, so make sure you vacuum carpets and wash your dog’s bedding regularly.
While travelling
If you and your dog are travelling, apply a flea treatment in advance. This will help ensure any parasites he comes into contact with while away don’t leave him itching and scratching. Similarly, if you leave your dog in kennels while on holiday, treat him two to three days before dropping him off.
During wet weather
While fleas may not necessary like the cold, they’re not bothered with the wet, and when damp weather is combined with humidity, flea populations can multiply. While this can put your dog at increased risk of infection, it could also increase his chances of more serious health conditions. If your pet accidently eats flea eggs while washing, this could cause a worm infection. Therefore, it’s important to ensure your pet is given dog wormers as well as flea treatments.
Social settings
Dogs are very social animals but his outgoing personality could put him at risk of fleas. While you may be vigilant in applying regular dog flea treatments for your animal, other dog owners may not be, so make sure you take the appropriate steps to reduce the risk for your pet.
Moving house
Moving house can be an exciting time for you and your family, and that includes your dog. New sights and smells are just waiting to be explored but this could also mean your pet comes into contact with new hosts. Protect your pet against fleas by applying the right petmeds.Each time you apply a spot-on flea treatment to your dog, make a note in your diary. Dogs should be treated once every eight weeks so it’s important not to leave your dog unprotected between treatments.