Treating Fleas On Puppies

Overview:

Fleas on very young puppies can be fatal as they can cause anemia. Most flea products cannot be used on young puppies under 6 weeks of age.

The first line of defense is to speak to your veterinarian.

How do you know if your pet has fleas? 

Scratching & biting at the fur is a good indicator your dog has fleas, although dogs scratch & bite for reasons other than fleas. Upon close inspection of the fur & skin, you can usually see fleas on your dog, they are small dark brown insects. It is easier to see fleas if you have a light coloured dog. You may also notice flea droppings on your dog's bedding. If you are unsure, stand your dog on a white piece of paper, rough up it's fur a little & then lightly spray the paper with a demister. If you have very small brown specks which leave red stains on the paper then that is a sure sign your dog has fleas. 

Tackling a Flea Outbreak

Below is a percentage of the flea population in the environment: 

5% of adult fleas live on your dog.

10% are pupae

35% are larvae

50% are eggs

Killing fleas on your dog is will not solve the problem as most of the flea life cycle is spent off the animal. You need to focus your attention in three areas:  

1) Kill adult fleas on the dog.

2) Kill adult fleas, eggs & larvae in the home. 

3) Killing adult fleas, eggs & larvae in outdoor areas. 

If you live in a multi-dog household or have dogs, it is important to treat all animals simultaneously.  

Treat the puppy:

The best & safest method to manually remove fleas from your dog with a flea comb. Puppies can lose body heat very easily, so if you do bathe your puppy, make sure he is kept in a warm room & towel dried.

• Have a bowl of water with a couple of drops of Dawn detergent nearby. As you comb the fleas off the puppy, place the flea in the water & swish it around so that it drowns.

• Dilute 5 parts water to 1 part Avon's Skin So Soft bath oil & gently sponge or spray onto the puppy's coat. Once dampened, manually remove fleas with a flea comb. Once again, ensure the puppy is in a warm room so he doesn't become chilled, which can be life threatening in young puppies.

• Another method is to remove the fleas with a flea comb & then stick them to some tape.

Do not use flea medications (including topical/spot on products, flea collars, dips or shampoos) on young puppys unless you have been told to do so from your veterinarian.

Keep a very close eye for fleas on puppies, as a heavy infestation can kill. If in any doubt whatsoever, seek veterinary attention immediately.

Fleas can also transmit tapeworm, so once the puppy is an appropriate age, he will need to be wormed. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you which is the best product to use.

Treat the mother:

If you treat the puppy but not the mother then the puppy will quickly become infected again. Check with your veterinarian for products which are safe to use on nursing queens.

Treat the environment:

No flea treatment is complete until you have treated the environment.

To treat the house & environment you can either hire the services of a professional pest controller or buy a product from your local supermarket. Most DIY products come in the form of an aerosol "bomb". Prior to letting the bomb off you & your pets should temporarily vacate the premises. Be aware that flea bombs are toxic to other animals, so all pets (including fish) need to be removed prior to bombing.

IGR's: (insect growth regulators) disrupt the cycle of the flea. They prevent eggs from hatching, kill larvae & prevent adult fleas from reproducing. These most often come in as a  bomb/spray.

A pest controller should be able to spray your house & garden for fleas. It is important to specify that you have dog(s) living in the house, so they can use a suitable spray which is safe for pets.

Wash rugs, dog bedding etc., in the hottest possible cycle.

Frequent vaccuming will also remove fleas & their eggs. One useful tip is to put a flea collar in your vacuum cleaner bag. When vacuuming, pay extra attention to corners, skirting boards, under furniture & any other nooks & crannies. Also vacuum furniture, curtains etc. This is where the larvae love to hang out, eating dust & debris, so it is vital that you thoroughly vacuum. Once you have vacuumed, clean out the bag & dispose of carefully. Ensure that every time you vacuum, you empty it out to prevent any fleas escaping.

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Please note:

The medical articles on this site have not been written by a veterinarian & should not be considered a replacement for a veterinarian visit. The articles are provided for informative purposes only & should not be used for  the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. 

Always seek immediate veterinary advice for any problems (health or behavioral) in your pets. 

While great care has been made in the creation of these articles, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages. If in any doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical advice.