Dog - Flea and Worming - Fleas

Fleas can begin to die within 20-30 minutes to a few hours after applying a flea treatment, depending on the product used. 

However, because the vast majority of fleas live in the environment as eggs, larvae, and recently hatched adults, you may still see adult fleas on your dog as these immature stages develop. Rest assured, these new adult fleas will also be killed by the flea treatment if you reapply it as directed. 

It is important to ensure that all pets in the household are up to date with their flea treatment to optimise flea control. It can take several months to completely eliminate a flea infestation due to the flea life cycle.

Treating the environment is crucial for reducing the flea population and speeding up control. This involves washing bedding in hot, soapy water and vacuuming regularly and thoroughly. For more information, read through How to Get Rid of Fleas on Dogs.

Fleas can be a serious health risk for puppies and senior dogs. For puppies, whilst there are some flea treatments suitable for puppies from the age of weaning, most products are safe from around 8 weeks of age. It's very important to choose the correct product for your puppy's current weight, as well as read and follow the product label instructions to ensure that it is safe for your puppy's age. 

In general, flea treatments are very safe for senior dogs. Fleas can cause discomfort, skin irritation, and even anaemia in dogs of all ages. For senior dogs, these problems can be particularly troublesome, as their immune systems may be weakened and their bodies may be less able to cope with the stress of a flea infestation. If your dog has underlying health conditions, reach out to your vet, or our Vet Squad, if you are not sure whether flea control is safe for them.

Dogs can get fleas in many ways, such as contact with other animals, spending time outdoors, or even through humans in the household bringing flea eggs, larvae or adults into the home on their shoes or clothing! 

No one likes the thought of fleas in their home, especially as humans can be affected by fleas as well, not only by their irritating bites but also by diseases they carry and transmit. 

The most important aspect of ongoing flea prevention is to ensure that all pets in your household remain up to date with an effective flea control product, all year round. This will ensure that any adult fleas that jump on your dog are killed before they have the chance to produce viable eggs that will infest the environment.

In addition, to prevent fleas in your home after treatment, thoroughly clean your home by  washing your pet's bedding regularly in hot soapy water, and vacuuming regularly. Be sure to either discard the vacuum bag, or empty the contents into a plastic bag, seal completely and discard, as flea eggs and larvae can develop, pupate and hatch within the vacuum bag and re-infest the house.

Consistent and thorough prevention is key to keeping your home flea-free.

Excessive scratching, biting or licking, hair loss, skin irritation, skin lesions such as papules, redness, scabbing or hot spots, and restlessness are all common ways to tell that your dog may have fleas.These symptoms are usually more likely around the back half of your dog, however they can be generalised. 

You might also sometimes see live adult fleas, particularly around the tail base, but it is more common to see flea 'dirt'. This is flea faeces, and is made up of digested blood. It will look like small specks of dirt in your dog's coat, and when placed on a white towel or sheet and moistened with water, the specks will turn red or rust-coloured.

The frequency of flea treatment applications depends on the specific product you're using. Most treatments last for a month, however some, like Bravecto and Seresto, last several months. Capstar is a very fast, but short-acting flea treatment, that only lasts for 24 hours. 

Due to the flea lifecycle, and the ability of immature forms to last potentially for months in the environment, we recommend regular, year round flea protection for all dogs. 

It's important to always follow the instructions on the product label carefully, especially if your dog is bathed or swims regularly. Most topical, or spot on, flea products will have specific guidelines around when to wash or allow your dog to swim following flea treatment, to ensure optimal performance of the flea treatment. 

Consult with your veterinarian or our Vet Squad for specific recommendations based on your dog's needs and your particular situation. Many flea treatments are combined with tick, heartworm and/or intestinal worming control, so this may affect the choice of the most suitable product for your dog.