Looking After Pets

Not following the flea treatment instructions closely meand that your dog may become ill and possibly even die. The EPA receives over 44,000 complaints a year about “spot on” flea treatments for dogs. These are usually liquids packaged in small tubes that you squeeze out and onto your dog’s skin. A few flea treatments for dogs are made with a chemical known as “amitraz” that has been conclusively shown to create neurological damage, especially in kids. Since dogs usually weigh even less than a child, the harmful effects could be even worse. The following article will show you how to prevent these side effects and even possibly stop them altogether by using healthy dog food.

Adhere to the following tips when using flea treatments for dogs in order to minimize the chances of a harmful side effect and maximize flea prevention.

Always be sure you consult with your veterinarian before and after using any flea treatment.

Just make sure to use only the flea treatments for dogs. A few of us will sometimes use flea treatments ment for cats on our dogs which can cause issues.

Stay away from flea treatment for dogs that contain these harmful chemicals in their “active ingredient” list: carbaryl, amitraz, tetrachlorvinphos and propoxur.

Be certain that you follow the instructions for usage by the letter to have the best chance for a safe flea prevention.

If your furry friend has a bad reaction to the flea treatment, give him a bath as soon as possible and call your veterinarian immediately.

Finally, one of the major reasons that dogs get flea infestations in the first place is because they have a weak immune system. Dogs can get a weakened immune systems by environmental chemicals and, more importantly, from an unhealthy diet. The sad fact is that the majority of the dog food on the market today is actually very unhealthy for your dog and weakens his immune system. After you begin giving your dog a sincerely healthy diet, using the harmful and chemical laden flea treatments for dogs may soon be over.

My suggestion would be to keep applying the flea treatment for dogs and at the same time switch your dog to a diet of truly healthy dog food. Once you’ve been feeding your dog a truly healthy dog food for a while, you can take your dog off of the flea treatment and use more natural methods for flea prevention.

When a flea hitches a ride on your cat or dog, you have big problems about to happen. The life cycle of a flea takes no time for the little pest to produce eggs that soon have your home infested with the biting insects. Your pet is miserable and covered in the little creatures, and you and your family might even find yourselves with flea bites on your ankles or stomach.

Then it’s on to Project Deep Clean.  Your whole house is going to have to be treated, with special attention to the areas that your pet loves the most. Your sofa will need to be sprayed, your bedding washed, your carpets steam cleaned and your pet washed and treated with insecticidal products. The house will end up being spotless, but you’ll have spent a great deal of time, money, and effort and there will probably be a lingering odor of chemicals.  Joy.

Spot-on treatments can be the best, easiest prevention method to these flea headaches. These small vials carry a product that you apply to your pet’s skin once a month. The liquid covers a small spot and then your pet’s natural movements distribute the product over the animal’s body for flea prevention.  If your pet has long hair or lives in an area prone to fleas, spot-on treatments are the way to go.

The packages are color coded so you can choose the one right for your pet’s type and weight, reducing the risk of misapplication. However, spot-on flea treatments are in fact chemicals so it is important not to be complacent and to exactly follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. If you do not, you could give your pet an overdose making him very sick.

As pesticide treatments go, spot-on flea treatments are more effective than flea collars which just tend to treat the fleas around the neck and work for a limited time only. Powder can be messy and there is no way of avoiding it becoming airborne and breathing it in, which to say the least is unhealthy. Sprays also are breathed in by their very nature and animals can resist spraying, particularly cats.

However, pesticides are still pesticides and if they can be avoided they should be. Spot-on flea treatments are recommended for animals with severe flea allergies if nothing else has worked because the consequence of the allergy is worse than the risks associated with chemical exposure. Topical flea treatments enter your pets’ bodies through the skin and go to the liver and kidneys before the intestines. Exposure such as this to chemicals has the effect of weakening an animal’s immune system and they may be more vulnerable to health problems as a result.

Sometimes simple, effective and easy is still not the best way. It is important to choose a flea eradication method that is also safe. Take some time to learn about the alternatives available to you before exposing your pet unduly to chemicals.

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Fleas are pesky critters that can transmit a variety of diseases and illnesses and make life miserable for your pet as well. Getting rid of these pests is essential for a healthy, happy home for all of its two-legged and four-legged inhabitants. Here are seven easy ways to prevent and control the flea population around your house.

Prevention is Key
The best method in the fight against fleas is preventing an infestation in the first place. Since they thrive in heat and humidity, be sure to check your pet frequently during the hotter months as well as in the fall or autumn. Another critical preventative measure is keeping your yard trimmed and free of weeds and to keep the foliage pruned as much as possible. It’s also wise to wash the pet’s bedding in very hot, soapy water on a weekly basis as this is the most likely site for flea eggs and larvae.

Keep an Eye on Your Pet
It should go without saying that it’s necessary to watch your pet for commons signs and symptoms of a flea infestation. Keep an eye out for excessive biting and scratching, particularly around the tail and lower back areas. Watch for raw patches of skin where your dog or cat may have been scratching at fleas for some time. Another bit of evidence is “flea debris,” specks of dried blood that are black in color.

Ask for a Professional
Consult with your pet’s veterinarian for their thoughts on flea control. They can recommend a few treatment options for you to decide which would be best for your particular situation.

Flea Collars and Powders
If you have caught the problem relatively early, it may be possible to eliminate fleas by simply using flea collars and powders. There are several brands and types to choose from, and many contain a special comb with fine teeth that is designed to remove fleas from fur.

Flea Baths
It’s helpful to bathe your pet frequently using a specially formulated soap or treatment. It’s necessary to take into consideration the type of fur or coat your pet has when bathing. This is particularly true for dogs as some breeds have essential oils that shouldn’t be washed away with soap and water more than once or twice a year. If bathing in a flea bath isn’t an option for your pet, consult your vet for other alternatives.

Monthly Medication
There are pills available for your pet to take on a monthly basis that will prevent fleas from reproducing, but they do not kill the ones that have already reached adulthood. There are also multi-purpose medications and products available that are designed to prevent fleas from reproducing as well as controlling heartworm, hookworms, whipworms and roundworms.

An Unconventional Method
This simple home remedy is touted by many as a sure cure for a house infested with fleas. At nighttime, simply fill a few bowls of plain water and place them underneath a lit flashlight. It is said that the fleas will be attracted to the light, jump into the water and drowned.

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