Flea infestations are more common in cats than dogs, believe it or not. However, that doesn’t make dogs immune to these pests. Fleas are just as dangerous to dogs as they are to cats.
Fleas are a pain for any dog owner. They can cause itching, scratching, and bacterial skin infections in your pet, which is why they must be treated immediately. Fleas aren’t just irritating for your dog. They’re also incredibly annoying to deal with as an owner, especially for those who have dogs with long hair.
Fortunately, there are many ways you can treat fleas on dogs with long hair effectively and quickly. Here are some of the most popular and effective ways to treat fleas in dogs with long hair.
Choosing the Best Shampoo
Choosing a shampoo that is specifically formulated for dogs is vital. You want a product that will kill fleas and ticks, but it should also be safe for your dog’s skin and coat.
When choosing a shampoo, look for products that contain active ingredients such as pyrethrins or permethrin. These are natural insecticides derived from plants (pyrethrum) or the excretions of certain insects (caterpillars). They can be found in shampoos containing pyrethrin-based insecticides, which work to kill fleas on contact by attacking their nervous systems when they bite your dog’s skin.
If you’ve never used flea shampoo before, you can get some from an online store like PetCareRx. Browse through the website to see which type of shampoo you might need. You can also find many other dog flea medication and treatment options on this website. We’ll talk about these options in detail in the next segments.
Regularly Brushing Your Dog
Be sure to brush your dog regularly and use a flea comb. A good rule of thumb is to comb through their hair every day for at least five minutes. This will help ensure you don’t miss any fleas or nits that might be hiding in their fur. If you notice any insects in the comb or have questions about how to treat them, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
If your dog has long hair, it’s important that you also use a gentle shampoo or conditioner with natural ingredients like essential oils (lavender is great) on his coat every few days. Doing so makes brushing easier.
Using a Flea Comb
If your dog has long hair, you will want to use a flea comb instead of just running your fingers through its fur. A regular metal or plastic comb won’t work as well because it doesn’t have the same amount of teeth on each side and will not be able to get close enough to the skin. If you do use one, it could damage your pet’s skin by ripping off loose hairs or scratching them with its sharp edges. You need something that can reach down into the thick coat without causing any harm or discomfort to your pup.
The best type of flea combs for dogs with long hair are those made specifically for this purpose. They have fine-toothed combs on both sides so that they can easily remove any stray parasites without hurting them or pulling out large amounts of fur at once, which could make things worse.
Flea Spray Solutions
Flea spray solutions are a fast and effective way to get rid of fleas on dogs with long hair. These sprays have a high concentration of insecticides that can kill adult fleas, larvae, and eggs in just a few hours. There are many different types of sprays available, but be sure not to use any that are harmful to your pet.
Most importantly, don’t let them sit for too long. A couple of hours after application is the maximum time you should leave the product on your dog before rinsing it off. If you skip this step, you risk irritation or allergic reactions.
Medications
In addition to topical flea treatments, your veterinarian may provide oral medication. Flea medication can also be administered by injection or as a pill.
Oral flea treatment usually comes in the form of a tablet that must be given every month or two, depending on how many doses are included in the package. These tablets are easy to administer and are tasteless and odorless, making them suitable for dogs with long hair who might be uncomfortable with other delivery methods.
Topical treatments usually come in the form of sprays, creams, powders, and shampoos that you apply directly to your dog’s skin or coat (depending on how much hair they have). Some people prefer these types of treatments because they’re not as messy as pills or injections.
Fleas are a nuisance for any type of dog, but especially to those with long hair. However, as long as you stick to these treatment options, you can deal with fleas easily.
