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.


What to do if fleas keep coming back?

Getting Rid of Fleas
  1. Sanitation. Thoroughly clean areas where fleas frequently breed. ...
  2. Pet treatment. Every pet in the home must be treated. ...
  3. Home treatment. Begin home treatment at the same time as pet treatment. ...
  4. Follow-up. Fleas have a complex life cycle.


Is it normal to still see fleas after treatment?

Often even after treating with a suitable flea treatment you will still see flea's on your animal. However, this does not mean that the treatment has not worked or that the fleas are immune – the reasons are fairly simple: Fleas are hatching in your home and re-infecting your pet.


Why does my dog still have fleas after using frontline?

If you are already using a prescription product and you are still seeing fleas, consider that it takes time for the fleas in the dog's environment to die. According to Frontline, several flea eggs may be present in the dog's environment, which is causing the flea population to continue growing.

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

  1. Step 1: Brush your pet with a flea comb. Our experts recommended initially brushing your pet with a flea comb to remove any fleas. ...
  2. Step 2: Give your pet a bath. ...
  3. Step 3: Disinfect the house. ...
  4. Step 4: Prevent future infestations.


Flea Treatment for dogs! Most are doing it wrong!?



Why won't fleas go away on my dog?

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.

What do fleas hate on dogs?

Citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, and rosemary will all naturally repel fleas. If your dog doesn't mind a spray bottle, dilute a few drops of your chosen essential oil into a 300ml-400ml of water and spray directly onto your dog's coat.

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.


What kills fleas on contact?

Diatomaceous earth is the enemy of most pests with waxy exoskeleton because it can get through their outer protective layer. DE helps in eliminating fleas by going into the shell and getting into their body. Once the pest made contact with the powder, they will eventually die of dehydration.

How do you get rid of fleas when you've tried everything?

Take a look at some of the effective ways you can get rid of them in your home:
  1. Use baking soda. ...
  2. Sprinkle salt. ...
  3. Lemon spray. ...
  4. Wash all bedding in hot, soapy water. ...
  5. Use rosemary. ...
  6. Hire a steam cleaner. ...
  7. Use a powerful vacuum. ...
  8. Use a pet-safe flea spray.


Why am I still seeing fleas 2 weeks after treatment?

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.


Why am I still seeing fleas 1 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.

How do I get rid of fleas on my dog when nothing works?

Just lukewarm water, or water and a mild soap, can help get fleas off your pet's fur and skin. The dish soap can help to drown adult fleas. If you're thinking about using a flea shampoo or something similar, talk to your veterinarian first. It can strip oils from your pet's fur and dry out their skin.

How many fleas on a dog is considered an infestation?

As few as 20 fleas might mean your pet is infested, while the most could be between 200 to 300. Ignoring a few fleas can quickly lead to an infestation on your dog and in your home,2 because two adult fleas could lead to hundreds of eggs and pupae. Fleas start feeding on blood within minutes of landing on your pet.


How long does it take for flea infestation to go away?

It can take as long as three-to-four months to get rid of an infestation, as it takes this long for all of the fleas in your home to go through their life stages.

How long does a flea infestation last?

Those fleas typically live only one to two weeks. The entire lifespan of a flea, from egg to adulthood, can last a few weeks or even a few months. And depending on where you live, the length of flea season varies. Fleas reproduce in warm, humid climates, so flea season where you are can last a few months or year-round.

What kills fleas permanently?

Choose an insecticide that contains both an adulticide (kills adult fleas), such as permethrin, and an insect growth regulator (kills the eggs, larvae, and pupae), such as methoprene or pyriproxyfen.


What kills all four stages of fleas?

All four stages of fleas are killed after vacuuming, with a 96 percent success rate. Homes that are vacuumed often will usually not have a flea problem that persists for long, because the eggs, larvae, pupa and adult fleas will all be killed or removed through the vacuum.

Why can't I get rid of fleas?

Flea eggs have a rounded oval shape with a smooth surface. When they're first laid they're wet and sticky, but they quickly dry out. And since fleas only lay eggs on their host (usually our pets) those eggs end up falling off all over the place. This is why fleas are notoriously hard to get rid of.

Can I give my dog 2 flea treatments in a month?

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.


Why is my dog still itchy after flea treatment?

These factors include fleas, staph (bacteria) or yeast (fungal) infections, and food allergies. If you're noticing an increase in your dog's scratching, they may have developed one or more of these flare factors that are pushing them over their “itch threshold” despite being on anti-itch medication.

Do fleas like clean or dirty dogs?

It is not something that only happens to dirty animals! In fact it is probably more common in clean animals because fleas prefer a clean coat. Coming into contact with other animals also causes exposure to the problem and can start a flea problem in your home.

What smells will keep fleas away?

Natural flea repellents such as citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, and geraniol may naturally repel fleas. If your pet doesn't mind a spray bottle, dilute a few drops of your chosen repellent into 10-13 fl oz of water and spray directly onto your pet's coat.


How often should I bathe my dog to get rid of fleas?

You may need to give your dog a flea bath as often as every one to two weeks, as the effective ingredients won't last as long as a topical or oral medication.