Dog flea treatment

Fleas are common parasites that affect both dogs & cats. There are two types of flea that infect dogs;

• Cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis)-These are the most common type of flea in the world & in fact dogs are more commonly infected with cat fleas than dog fleas.
• Dog flea (Ctenocephalides canis)-Dog fleas are relatively rare & most flea infestations in dogs are caused by the cat flea.

Fleas are more than just a nuisance to dogs. They are able to transmit tapeworm & the bacteria responsible for canine bordetella, plus heavy infestations can cause anemia. Some dogs will become hypersensitive to one of the 60 proteins in flea saliva, resulting in flea allergy dermatitis. An itchy, crusty skin condition. 

Life cycle of fleas:

The majority of the flea’s life is spent off the animal. Only 5% of the flea population is actually on the dog. Below is a break up;

• 5% adult flea
• 10% pupae
• 35% larvae
• 50% eggs

So, as you can see, fleas on your dog are only the tip of the iceberg. It is important to understand this so that you can combat a flea infestation properly. Only treating the dog will not break the flea cycle.

Dog flea treatments:

There are a multitude of flea products on the market for dogs. Not all are created equally. Your veterinarian is always the best person to speak to about proper flea control as they know your circumstances best. Always seek medical advice before using flea treatments on puppies, pregnant or lactating bitches.

• Flea collars are impregnated with an insecticide to kill fleas on the dog.
• Flea shampoos & powders – Again, applied to the dog. They are not overly effective.
• Topical adulticide. There are several effective products on the market (Frontline, Advantage, Revolution are popular brands) which are administered via liquid form to the dog’s shoulders. These are available through your veterinarian or online pet product store.  These products are very effective for killing adult fleas on your cat. The active ingredient varies from product to product. Application is generally once a month. 
• Oral suspension Program® - This is added to the pet’s food.
• Flea Sprays - There are some effective cat flea sprays on the market. Frontline make such a spray. Wear rubber gloves while applying the spray to your cat while ruffling the coat. Avoid contact with the eyes & mouth.

Generally, it is my opinion that the products available from your vet such as the topical adulticide & oral suspension are the most effective.

As has already been stated, only 5% of the flea population lives on your pet. The rest are in the environment, so it is important to treat that too.

You can either hire a professional pest controller or do it yourself. 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. You & your pet(s) will need to temporarily vacate the premises when these are being activated.

Areas your pet regularly sleep & eat should also be treated. This includes washing pet bedding in hot water.

Vacuum the house, paying attention to hard to get at areas such as underneath furniture, skirting boards etc. These are a perfect environment for flea eggs, larvae & pupae to thrive. Put a pet flea collar in the vacuum cleaner bag when you are doing this.

If you have outside buildings, flea bomb those too. If your dog has a kennel outside, wash all bedding in hot water & vacuum thoroughly & using a fogger, spray the inside & out.

Treating the pet & the home should be done on the same day to break the cycle.

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.

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.