Protect your dog: Kill fleas and ticks for good

It’s hard to watch your dogs in pain when fleas and ticks attack them. They can cause diseases in both you and your pet, so you have to find a way to make your dog itch-free. If you don’t do so, you’ll have a lot of work to do at your house.

These blood-suckers spread very fast because they jump from one host to another, leaving numerous eggs in their host. For that reason, you have to start treating them as soon as you notice them. Moreover, in order to avoid serious diseases, you have to remove them entirely. Luckily, there are various chemical products available that can help you get rid of fleas and ticks, but natural treatments can also be helpful.

So, take a look at these methods that can help you get rid of fleas and ticks.

1. Make an acidic environment with apple cider vinegar

Keeping your pet’s coat slightly acidic can help you get rid of these small creatures because acidic taste is unappealing to fleas. To make this kind of environment for fleas and ticks, you can feed or spray your dog with apple cider vinegar. Just add one teaspoon of fermented apple cider vinegar to a quarter litre of water and let your dog drink it during the day. Nevertheless, the quantity of this liquid can depend on the body weight of your dog, so you should consult with the vet about that.

2. Use a flea comb regularly

Using a flea comb regularly can help you notice fleas and ticks immediately and it can help you treat them. You will keep your dog happy because of all the attention it will get, but also healthy and groomed. To do so, you have to choose a quality product, meaning it combs out fleas of all sizes, eggs, and larvae. Next, you have to comb from the top of its head to the underside of the tail, underbelly, neck, and legs.

3. Turn regular dog shampoo in a natural flea-killing shampoo

Using shampoo to kill the fleas and ticks can be an inexpensive but a labor-intensive and messy method. You have to bathe your pet every week and keep it in the house or in the place where fleas don’t reside. The good thing is that you can make this shampoo on your own by mixing regular shampoo with lemon juice and water. Recipe? Put half a cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice in half a cup of any dog shampoo and add two cups of water to it. This recipe can protect your pet during the peak tick season.

4. Try oral medications for a quick result

If you want immediate results and if you want to ensure that you treat your dog’s entire body, the answer to your problem could be pills. It’s easy to give them to your dog and you won’t need to think about small children and other pets coming into contact with dogs after the treatment. Medication kills ticks and immature fleas while breaking the life cycle of fleas. You can also choose a chewable option. Because of its softness and flavor, dogs seem to love it. However, do not hesitate to consult a vet before giving your pet the treatment.

5. Protect your home from fleas and ticks

If you don’t want fleas and ticks to return, you have to clean both your house and backyard. Firstly, remove all carpets until your dog is flea-free, especially pile carpets. Fleas like warm and moist areas, so carpets are probably full of them. Secondly, vacuum at least once a week in all areas and empty the vacuum bags immediately. This will stop them from multiplying and infecting your whole house. Thirdly, wash all bedding designated for your pet and places where your dog usually spends its time. You can even go the route of hiring a professional, just be sure to learn about flea bomb safety.

Still can’t get rid of these pests? There are people who do that properly — pest control experts — however, it’s always best to do the research before you decide “who you gonna call.” 

Conclusion

When the weather gets warmer, fleas can take over your home in a matter of weeks. Therefore, you have to be prepared in order to skip this mess. If your dog is allergic to fleas, you have to be especially careful and take your dog to the vet. So, follow these steps to control and eliminate the threat early and spend the summer happy and flea-free.

–  Zara Lewis

*DogsBestLife.com participates in the Chewy Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to let our site earn fees by linking to Chewy.com.