How to Control Fleas With Your New Puppy

Fleas are annoying pests that can keep your puppy scratching like crazy. Don’t let your poor puppy scratch until nothing is left of his coat. Flea infestation can be a nightmare for your puppy as it will keep him very uncomfortable.

A flea can produce about 50 eggs a day. And once a flea hatches, it starts breeding within 48 hours. The worst that could happen is that your puppy will die of anemia because fleas are aggressive blood suckers. Thus, it’s important to get rid of fleas on your puppy while it’s still early. Part of training a puppy is to control fleas and preventing your pet from playing in places such as gravel and sand where fleas live and breed.

After you’ve checked your pup for fleas and confirmed that he has them, take your puppy to the vet first. The vet can give professional advice on giving your puppy the right and safe treatment. Remember, treating your puppy’s fleas is different from that of an adult dog. Treatments such as flea collars, flea rinses, flea powders, and other chemicals can be effective for adult dogs but are harmful for young dogs.

If your puppy is six weeks old or less, a safe way to get rid of fleas is to bathe him with warm water with mild soap. Place your puppy on the kitchen sink or basin with the water level up to his neck. Wash his face, and then lift him out. Next, put your pup on a towel and massage the soap all over his body. Afterwards, place him back in the sink or basin to rinse. Once you’re done, wrap the puppy in a dry towel. While the puppy’s hair is damp, remove the remaining fleas from your pup using a flea comb.

If your puppy is more than eight weeks of age, treat him with a top spot flea product that you can get from the Internet or a local pet care shop. Ask your vet which flea products are safe for your puppy.