What to do if flea medicine doesn t work?

Your Flea Medication Has Become Ineffective

While you can reapply flea treatment early in some cases, you should talk to your veterinarian to find the best and most effective flea treatment for your pet.

Can I reapply flea treatment if it doesn't work?

You can reapply flea treatment after 2 weeks, but it's not necessary. Fleas are a common problem for dogs and cats, and there are many treatments available to help you protect your pet from these pesky parasites. However, if you have applied a flea treatment in the past 2 weeks, there is no need to reapply it again.

Why won't fleas go away after treatment?

Fleas have a complex life cycle. At some stages of their life cycle they are resistant to insecticides and other flea control products. In order to get rid of fleas in all stages of the life cycle, two or more follow-up treatments within 5-10 days after the first application are needed.

Why am I still seeing fleas after treatment?

Flea larvae can remain dormant in your home for months, so new fleas may continue to emerge — even after treatment. These fleas will quickly die after hatching if you've treated your home and kept up with regular flea preventive for your pet, but it can take a while for all the existing fleas to hatch and be killed.

Why does my dog keep getting fleas even after treatment?

If your dog is constantly being reinfested with fleas after treatment, it is most likely there is an environmental infestation in or around your house. The adult fleas we see on pets represent only 5% of the total population. The other 95% are immature stages in the environment.

Episode 75: Why Isn't Your Flea Treatment Working?

Why is nothing getting rid of my dogs fleas?

Not treating often enough

Fleas go through a life cycle of egg, larvae, pupae and adult. Most flea treatments just kill adult fleas, but fleas can continue to emerge for months after you think an infestation has ended. When a newly emerged female flea finds a host, she can lay eggs within one day.

How do I get rid of stubborn fleas on my dog?

Is it normal to see fleas a week after treatment?

It is also important to remember that the majority of the flea population is in the environment. If you are still seeing a large number of fleas a few days after starting treatment it is possible that there is an infestation somewhere in the home.

What kills fleas instantly?

You want to immediately kill any fleas removed from your pup's fur by dunking them in hot, soapy water. If you try to crush or flush these sneaky insects, they might surprise you with their jumping expertise—they're amazing escape artists. Bathe your pet with warm water and mild soap.

How long does it take for fleas to be completely gone?

You will notice improvement after the first dose and will likely think you are flea free well before three months, however since, it can take 6 weeks or longer to get all the fleas hatched out of their pupae, three months of treatment will make sure that those fleas that hatch late will still be killed by contact with ...

Why is it so hard to get rid of fleas?

These pests are very hard to get rid of. Fleas have flattened bodies so they can move through the fur of their hosts easily. They also have very strong exoskeletons, making them very hard to crush. They also leap out of danger quickly and are very small, so if they do get away they are hard to find again.

Will fleas eventually go away?

You might be asking yourself will fleas eventually go away? While some could last 2 – 3 weeks, they could also live for up to 12 months on the host it finds, so it is unlikely they will go away on their own. Fleas can also reproduce very quickly by laying eggs in carpet, bedding, or garden prolonging the infestation.

Can I use flea treatment again after 2 weeks?

The known safe answer is to wait the period of time the product is supposed to work, typically 30 days, before reapplying. An alternative is to bathe the pet in a detergent shampoo (meant to strip off skin oils) and reapply after 24 hours.

How long after treatment will I stop seeing fleas?

As eggs hatch and develop, you might find fleas reappearing 10-14 days after treatment - this is quite normal and provided the insecticide remains in place it will kill them. This is why it is important not to carry out cleaning which might remove insecticide.

Can you double up on flea treatment?

Never use multiple flea medications on your pet, unless directed to do so by your veterinarian. Fleas can be a very frustrating problem, and some medications may not produce immediate effects.

Can fleas live in human hair?

First, is it possible for fleas to live in human hair? The short answer is no. There are more than 2000 types of fleas around the globe. However, there is no evidence that these insects can live on the human body or scalp.

What kills fleas and eggs on contact?

Foggers provide a simple way to kill flea eggs (and many other pests). It is recommended to use foggers in combination with sprays or other products that can be used under furniture, where foggers have trouble reaching.

Can fleas survive a bath?

Give Your Dog a Bath

Bathing your pet regularly will also help rid your home of fleas. Any soap will kill them, so you don't have to use a flea bath. But make sure that the soap you use is safe for a cat or dog. Some people like to finish the bath with a nice-smelling essential oil that may also help keep fleas away.

Should I vacuum after flea treatment?

After your treatment

You must not: enter your home for at least two hours afterwards because the insecticide spray can be harmful to people and pets. clean or vacuum the treated areas for at least 14 days to allow the spray time to work.

What suffocates fleas on a dog?

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains a fatty acid called lauric acid, a component that kills fleas. The fat covers the flea's exoskeleton and essentially suffocates the pest. Only apply coconut oil to your dog's coat outdoors. Because the acid works as a natural flea repellent, the pests may leap out of your dog's fur.

Will vacuuming get rid of fleas?

According to extensive studies conducted at Ohio State University, vacuuming is indeed an effective way of getting rid of fleas! Through these studies, scientists discovered that vacuuming killed 96% of adult fleas from carpets and 100% of the flea pupae and larvae.

Are dogs miserable with fleas?

Fleas are very common external parasites and have the ability to make cats and dogs miserable. They can even cause infections and serious diseases if they aren't treated promptly.

Can fleas live on bedding?

Fleas like to live on a blood host. They won't take up residence in your bed, but they will leave evidence that they've been there. If your pet has fleas, the eggs may roll off their fur and onto your bed, where they'll hatch. Adult fleas can jump long distances and may make their way onto bedding.

How long can fleas live in carpet?

Fleas can typically live up to three months in your carpet if they have a host, survival is much less without. Flea eggs live for two to three days before hatching which can take up to 12 days. Adult fleas will hide in the carpet until a suitable host becomes available.