10 Tips To Protect Your Pet Against Fleas | Healthy Living slideshows | Well Being center

Clean Your Yard

Because your dog spends most of his days playing in the yard, odds are he is probably getting those fleas from there. That is why the first step in getting rid of pet fleas is by cleaning your environment. Cut the grass, mow your lawn, trim the trees, and basically keep the area clear to prevent pest infestation. Fleas and ticks also tend to lurk under rake leaves, so get rid of them while cleaning. Also, as you spray your yard, spend more time in the areas where your dog goes frequently. That is where eggs and larvae are more likely to be shed.

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Photo courtesy of Julep67 by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/julep67/2510012132/
http://www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/care/top-ten-ways-to-stop-fleas#.UgIYttIeB5u http://www.dogster.com/dog-health-care/10-tips-for-keeping-your-home-flea-free

Invest In A Flea-Trap

They are available in several hardware stores and can help reducing your home flea infestation. Though there is no guarantee that a flea-trap would eradicate "all" the fleas in your surroundings, it will at least help you to control your environment and monitor your progress when it comes to eradicating fleas. Another alternative would be to make your own flea-trap, which could help you save money and really avoid the toxic side-effects of industrial products. There are several ways one can realize his homemade flea-trap, but the general concept is to set a small dish of soapy water near a light source at night. The fleas will naturally be attracted to the light and the warmth, and that will cause them to jump in the soapy dish and be trapped by the water.

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Use A Flea Spray

Flea sprays are also very effective for the eradication of fleas, and are readily available at the pet stores or the veterinarian's office. The advantage that they have is that they are convenient and easily accessible. It is better to use them after cleaning your home, and they are very potent against adult fleas as well as their larvae and eggs. This is also another huge advantage, because it is important to treat the flea infestation at all stages. So when choosing a specific spray, try to find out how well it works. Lastly, remember that consistency is key. You might not achieve all your desired effects in one day, but recognize that it will take a while because you really get the results.

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Clean Your House Too!

In addition to cleaning your yard, you should also clean your house. As your dog moves from the yard to the inside of your house, he carries along fleas and this creates new nests that you might not have suspected. Susceptible places include sofas, rugs and carpeting. Henceforth, you need to thoroughly exterminate your home with adequate products. Wash your dog's bedding and clean all its belonging with warm water and soap. And if your pet sleeps on your bed too, wash all your sheets and linen with hot water and laundry detergent. You could also consider buying new pillows, if needed.

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Flea Powder

In addition to using a flea spray, flea powder can also come in very handy. It is very efficient in killing fleas on the pet itself, in the home and even in the yard! They are also inexpensive, which makes them even more convenient for repetitive use. When applying the flea powder on your pet's skin, make sure to cover its nasal orifices so as to avoid inhalation. You should protect yourself as well, given that flea powder can be toxic to humans when inhaled. Also ensure that you cover your eyes in order to avoid a local allergic response.

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Flea Dips

Flea dips are hygienic baths for pets as an attempt to eliminate fleas. Unlike flea shampoos, flea dips are intended to be left on the pet after the bath, In other words, there is no rinsing after the bath. You could either purchase a flea dip solution at the pet store or by the veterinarian's office, or you could get creative and make your own! You will need some water, one or two lemons, a pot, a spray bottle, a pet sponge and a pet brush. Bring the pot of water to boil, and the sliced lemon(s) in the boiling water. Remove it from heat, and let it sit overnight. Then, apply the solution on your pet's skin using a spray bottle, and brush it as you go along. Repeat the process as needed.

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Flea Collars

Flea collars are also a great option to prevent your pet from being infested by fleas. Note that they have no effect in curing flea infestation, but only work as a preventative measure. Flea collars have two principal mechanisms of action. First and foremost, flea collars emit a certain gas that helps in repelling fleas and ticks. Secondly, they release some active ingredients that penetrate the skin of your pet and kill the fleas and ticks as soon as they bite. When purchasing a flea collar for your pet, make sure you read the product description to ensure that you are getting the effect that you need. Some collars perform both actions, and some others are rather selective.

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Flea Shampoos

Flea shampoos are generally medicated, which doubles their efficiency in combating fleas. They are particularly needed when the animal has a large amount of visible fleas on the skin. Although they are very efficient, flea shampoos are quite limited by several factors. First and foremost, they do not provide long lasting protection against fleas, and the bugs tend to come back if he pet is continuously exposed to the fleas reservoir. Another limitation of this treatment method is the fact that the pet might be difficult to bathe. This is particularly observed while bathing cats and agitated dogs.

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Oral Medications For Pets

There is a wide variety of oral fleas control medications available on the market. The advantage they provide is the fact that their action is rather generalized, compared to local methods of flea control (pet dips, flea collars, etc.) Oral flea control pills are also very efficient, taking action within 30 minutes of administration and rendering most fleas dead within 4 hours. Because of such efficiency, oral flea medications are recommended in cases of sudden and over flea infestation, when the skin of your pet reveals flea dirt or when you can actually see live flea. These medications have a radical effect and yield results within an hour.

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Regular Manual Check

Lastly, practice regular manual checks of your pet's skin to ensure safety and protection from flea infestation; like we tend to say "Better safe than sorry". With that said, don't wait until you see your dog scratching himself constantly to start taking action. Regular spontaneous checkups will help you to notice any abnormal behavior from your pet, any change in patterns, any irregular scratching or any hairless patches on the skin. Alongside with this, regular pet baths and shampoos will help you keep your pet clean and decrease his risk of flea infestation.