Why is flea shampoo not working?

Incorrectly applying topical flea prevention is the most common cause for its failure to work. Flea prevention is expensive, and you don't want to waste a dose. Topical medication should be applied directly to the skin, not the hair. You must part the hair so that you can apply it to the skin at the base of the neck.


What happens if the flea shampoo doesn't work?

There are a variety of reasons why your flea medication may not seem to be offering any relief for your pet. The product may be a cheap over-the-counter treatment, you may be using the medication incorrectly, or you may not be keeping your pet's environment clean, which is vital to eradicating fleas.

How long does it take for flea shampoo to work?

Fortunately, all flea preventions, both topical and oral, show great speed in controlling flea infestations. Topical preventions have been shown to clear current flea burdens on dogs within 12 to 48 hours, and oral preventions often work within the first 2 to 4 hours.


Why am I still finding 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 is my dog still getting fleas 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?



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

Here are a few remedies and treatments you can use to get rid of fleas.
  1. Give Your Pet a Bath. One of the first solutions to get rid of fleas is to bathe your pet. ...
  2. Comb Your Pet's Hair Using a Fine-Tooth Flea Comb. ...
  3. Kill the Fleas. ...
  4. Spray an Apple Cider Vinegar Solution on Your Pet. ...
  5. Do Regular Checks. ...
  6. Let Your Pet Groom Itself.


How do you get rid of fleas when nothing works?

How to get rid of fleas in your home
  1. Use a powerful vacuum on any floors, upholstery, and mattresses. ...
  2. Employ a steam cleaner for carpets and upholstery, including pet beds. ...
  3. Wash all bedding, including your pet's, in hot water and detergent.


Why does it take 3 months to get rid of fleas?

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.


Why am I still seeing fleas a week after treatment?

If you do find that you still have a flea infestation after treatment, the possible causes are: The premises was cleaned or vacuumed prior to 14 days after treatment. It is possible that someone or a pet has picked up fertile fleas from other locations. Your pets were not treated for fleas satisfactorily.

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.

Can you use flea shampoo two days in a row?

But if that's the case, you can wash your dog 1-2 times a week, but not long term. Flea shampoo doesn't have any preventative properties once it's rinsed off, so it won't do anything to keep fleas from jumping right back on your pup as soon as he/she goes outside.


Can you use too much flea shampoo?

When used as directed, such products are safe and effective. However, dogs and cats can easily become sick if too much or the wrong flea product is applied, or the product is ingested post-application. Ingestion occurs if the dog or cat licks the treated area.

Can I use flea shampoo twice a week?

How often should you wash your dog with fleas? If your pooch is being pestered with fleas and ticks, they will need baths with flea shampoo once or twice a week to kill off the fleas and their eggs and end their infestation on your pooch.

How do you break a flea cycle?

It can take up to 3 months to break a total flea life cycle by using monthly flea treatments. For indoor flea control, vacuuming all floors, carpets, baseboards, pet bedding and furniture will help remove adult fleas and eggs.


How do I get rid of fleas in my house fast?

1 Vacuum your home. 2 Steam-clean carpets and furniture. 3 Wash bedding in hot water. 4 Spot-treat your home with insecticide spray.

How long does it take to starve out fleas?

Fleas don't like freezing temperatures or dry conditions. Newly emerged fleas can only survive 3 to 12 days without a blood meal before they starve.

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

It can take up to 3 months to fully resolve a flea infestation (or even longer in some cases) - see “What is the best way to resolve a home infestation?” for advice on eradicating a flea problem as quickly as possible.


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.

What are the worst months for fleas?

Summer is one of the most active times for fleas and ticks, with some of the worst season being fall, in September, October, and November. Research has shown that the number of fleas on cats and dogs is 70% in the fall when compared to the spring season.

What month do fleas go away?

For many states, the most prevalent seasons for fleas and ticks are the spring and summer, or roughly from May through September. For southern and southwestern states, the flea and tick season typically occurs year-round. Extremely high heat will destroy fleas and ticks, as well as their eggs.


Can you ever fully get rid of fleas?

It's possible, but it will take a lot of work. It is difficult to rid a pet of fleas completely because fleas were designed by nature to be practically indestructible. But with diligence and patience, you can get rid of fleas from your dogs and cats – and home – forever.

What scares away fleas?

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.

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.


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.