Dogs have been with humans for a long time now. They are the constant companions to almost any kind of activity. From hunting and gathering to simple acts at home, they are there to support and be with us. As long as we do them right, then they would be as loyal as most dogs can be.
However, they face some issues as they grow older. Like humans, they have health concerns that you need to tackle at some point. Old age is one of the main reasons for this, but sometimes it can also be seasonal. For example, many owners dread the summers for their canine friends. Based on this page, this is because it is the season of the fleas.
A Flurry of Fleas
Many people are already familiar with these creatures. These pesky little things can wreak havoc to all of your critters, but most especially to dogs and cats. They are inherent bloodsuckers, like lice in humans. It can be uncomfortable for your pet since they will feel itchy all the time and they cannot do anything about it but a scratch.
Unfortunately, there is a danger with all of this scratching. For one, it can injure the surface of the skin causing bleeding and deformations. You may have seen some dogs losing most of their fur because the skin is already too damaged due to the scratching. Also, this does not alleviate the flea infestation. Rather, it makes it even worse making more breakouts on the surface as they find other areas that they have not affected yet.
It can also become worse as fleas can just go from species to another species. It can affect other animals in the vicinity as well as humans. They would usually inhabit the armpits and other areas that they can easily hide. It can be quite painful and easily prone to infection. This is why it is important to keep them away from your beloved animals. How so, you may ask?
What to Do with your Dog
If the situation is already severe, you can approach your vet about it so that they can give you the right medication. This is usually done through shampoos and thorough cleaning of the dog. If you want to have a more internal approach, newer products like Nexgard chewable for dogs have been introduced in the market as a way of keeping fleas out of their system. They can be bought online or in some pet food stores.
On the other hand, prevention is always better than cure. There are a lot of ways that you can protect your dog and yourself as well. Some of them are quite simple, but fleas tend to stay around because they can be resilient to hostile conditions. Reinfection is also possible, so keep an eye out if there are any breakouts. Below are some ways that you can keep these tiny parasites away as much as possible.
Tips on Keeping Them Clean
- Clean Your Home Thoroughly
As we know, this is the area where we stay with our pets all the time. However, if you already had an infestation, then it is time for a major overhaul of almost anything. Fleas can live without food for up to a year, and they will just wake up if they are ready to infest something. You might need to invest in a well-rounded vacuum cleaner. It is a vital machine that can take these little critters away from where they are hiding.
- Pay Attention to Where Your Dog Stays Often
Whether it is the kennel or the couch, these places are fine breeding grounds for fleas. If left unattended, this is where cross-infection happens. You might end up staying or touching the surface and it can jump right to your skin. This can all happen without you being the wiser. Learn more about this condition here: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/311941.
This is why the previous tip is important. However, you need to be more thorough in these places. Your dog will end up getting back and staying in these areas even after you have cleaned it. If they are still infected, then you would need to do everything all over again.
- Avoid Letting them interact with Infected Animals
It can be a challenge to force your dog not to go out. After all, they still need exercise to develop health and well. To track down the source of infection, you would need to undergo a process of elimination.
If your pet got it from a park interacting with others, then it might be best to avoid that area as much as possible. Also, don’t let them stay near strays for a long time. These animals have the highest chance of being infested with fleas.
- Get Your Dog to Take a Bath
This is [probably the most difficult one, especially since most dogs abhor the sound of baths alone. Some breeds do love water, but the rest tend to stay away from it. It can be heartbreaking to see your dog cry because they do not want to get in the water. However, you need to remember that it is for their good. For healthier dogs, bathing at least twice a week is already a maximum, but this depends on the situation.
If you are having a flea problem, then you would need to buy a shampoo or soap that is laced with insecticide. Most of them are not harmful to the animal as long as it does not get into the most sensitive body parts. Also, wash them thoroughly and make sure that you will be brushing their fur afterward.
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