Dog Fleas Treatment Guide

No matter which type of canine breed your dog falls within - Rottweiler, Labrador, Poodle, Retriever, etc - they all have the possibility of falling prey to the worst enemy any dog (or pet owner, for that matter) can have:  dog fleas. There are over 2000 different varieties of fleas out there. They also reproduce at a very fast rate; for example, a female flea can start laying as much as 50 eggs after their first blood meal, and they can lay eggs daily. This means that it only takes one flea to produce a major infestation in your pets - possibly the main cause for "Fido's" restlessness, and this can even extend to you, as humans can also be bitten by fleas.

Prevention always is better than a cure after the fact - and this holds true in the case of dog fleas. As it is very difficult to get rid of them once your pet "adopts" them. Here are some methods of natural flea control and ways of preventing dog flea infestation in your pets:

• Keep your dog clean by shampooing regularly. This process will kill many fleas by drowning them. It also helps if you add a little lemon juice to the water that you're going to use to rinse you dog. For some reason, dog fleas don't like the citrus smell and they tend to stay away from the smell for some time.

• Some herbs also work well as a natural flea treatment. A good example would be citronella. Citronella is a common ingredient in most sprays that help to prevent insect bites. Add the concentrated oil to water, and it would be a great way to get those pests away from your pets with natural means. Eucalyptus leaves are also great flea repellent. You can use a few leaves and rub them directly onto your pet's skin. Likewise with lemon essential oil or extract, as fleas don't like the smell.

• Garlic is also a beneficial repellent for dog fleas. Including garlic in your pet's diet can help eliminate and prevent flea infestation. It will not be good for your dog's breath though, so there would definitely be less licking from your pet. Do not, however, get carried away with including garlic to your pet's diet as it may be harmful in the long run. A single clove of garlic would be a safe bet.

• Brewer's yeast can be used as a flea treatment dusting powder for your dog. The thiamine in brewer's yeast will help prevent dog fleas, and it is also safe for your dogs if ever he happens to lick the powder.

Flea prevention should also be done in your home, as it is not enough that you limit the prevention to your pets. After all, fleas don't only limit themselves only to pets - they can spread and live in your furniture and carpets, or just about any place in your home. Here are a few tips that you can follow to keep your home free of flea infestations:

Vacuuming regularly will help you get loose flea eggs, larvae, and adults fleas out of your carpet. As fleas don't like the smell of lemon and citronella, a room spray containing these ingredients will help in keeping the fleas away.

If the worst happens and you find fleas on dogs within your home, the above tips can also be applicable. It would need to be done repeatedly though and in some cases, you might need to ask for professional help. Likewise, if an all natural flea control method is not working, your veterinarian will be able to suggest flea medication for dogs that will kill fleas quickly and effectively. However, following these tips will be a great first step for preventing fleas on dogs and ensuring that dog fleas don't stand a chance in your home!