Flea Shampoos
Flea shampoos can be an effective way to kill fleas on dogs and cats. They do not, however, provide ongoing protection. Therefore, they should be used to get rid of fleas that are already present. Additional treatments are needed to prevent re-infestation on your pet. A popular flea shampoo available on DrCarl is Fido's Flea Shampoo.
Flea Sprays, Rinses and Dips
Flea sprays, much like powders, can be used to treat the fleas directly on the pet, or to treat the home environment. Frontline is available as a topical spray for your pet that kills up to 100% of fleas within 24 hours.
Fido's Fre-Itch Rinse Concentrate is a natural, pleasant smelling, pyrethrin-based rinse for the control of fleas in dogs and cats. The product should be diluted before being applied to the pet as a rinse, spray, dip or in a hydrobath, ensuring the pet is thoroughly soaked with the solution.
Flea Spot-Ons
One of the most popular treatments for fleas today is the spot-on treatment, which is a topical liquid applied to the skin on the back of the neck or between the shoulders of your pet. There are a variety of brands available including Frontline Plus, Revolution, Advocate, Bravecto Spot-On, Advantix, Revolution Plus and Moxiclear.
Many spot-on flea treatments also treat other parasites such as ticks and intestinal worms. Many of the spot-on treatments need to be applied monthly, but you should follow the directions on the packet to ensure full protection. Be sure to select the appropriate strength product for your pet as many of the spot-on treatments are available in a variety of strengths that vary the dosage according to the weight of the pet.
Flea Chewables and Tablets
Flea chewables and tablets are also very popular and available in a number of brands including NexGard, NexGard Spectra, Bravecto Chewables, Simparica, Simparica Trio, Comfortis Plus and Credelio Plus.
Flea Collars
Flea collars can provide long-lasting protection from fleas for your pet. Seresto is one brand that makes flea collars for dogs and cats. It works by releasing its active ingredients in controlled, low doses, allowing your dog or cat to stay protected for 8 months against fleas and 4 months (dogs only) against ticks. Unlike other products, which only work after your cat or dog has been bitten, Seresto can fight off these parasites before they have a chance to bite your pet.
Flea Powders
There are two primary types of flea powders: those used on the pet and those used on your carpet. Those that are applied to your pet are not very effective at killing fleas because they tend to wash off quite quickly and do not have much time to work on your pet. Flea powders designed for use on carpets can be very effective at getting rid of fleas in the home. By simply sprinkling the powder on the carpet and vacuuming it back up, you can kill off many fleas. Nonetheless, carpet flea powders usually cannot kill off all of the fleas in a home. Therefore, additional measures are often necessary. And remember, flea powders meant for carpets should never be used on pets.
Flea Bombs
Flea bombs should be used in conjunction with flea carpet powder. These bombs can kill off fleas and help disturb the flea life-cycle, thereby preventing further infestations. Remember that approximately 95% of fleas live in the house and yard. Flea bombs can help take care of this problem, while you work on keeping fleas off your pet and from reinfesting the home. It can sometimes take several treatments of the house to get rid of all of the fleas inside.
