How much fun is it when we get to be outside in great weather hanging with our dogs?! It is so great to spend time playing at the park, hiking, and exploring the world. I know that running outside with my dogs is one of my favorite past-times, and for dogs, anything they do with us makes them happy.
Sometimes after spending time outside, we realize that our furry friends may have something going on – they may start acting like they are itchy or start scratching. Maybe it is nothing but dry skin, or perhaps it is fleas. If you notice small scabs, excessive itching, and scratching, or if you know your dog has been with other dogs with fleas, it may be time for a bath.
The big question, once you know you have a flea problem, how often can you bathe a dog with flea shampoo? Is there a limit, or is it okay to use it often?
Let’s explore flea bath options for dogs and review the best ways to deal with fleas in general. Fleas may be tiny creatures, but they can certainly cause a lot of problems and discomfort for not only your dog but for you as well.
How Often Can I Bathe My Dog With Flea Shampoo
When you realize that your dog may have fleas, the first thing you want to do is get rid of them! No one likes fleas on their dog or in their house. The tricky part with fleas is that they can spread to other animals, or even people, within your home once they are on your dog.
Treating them quickly is essential to reduce the spread and to help your dog feel better fast.
Fleas are tiny bugs that feed off the blood of others – when a flea bites, they leave a small dot of blood behind that can look red, brown, or black. These bites can cause skin rashes, irritation, scabs, and incredible itching.
If you notice that your dog is scratching themselves a bunch or sitting quietly and suddenly jumping up and biting their skin, something is bothering them. To look for fleas, either use a flea comb or a regular comb to separate the fur to look at the skin gently.
Work slowly in areas that appear to bother your dog, and if you find small brown dots or tiny jumping bugs, then jackpot! You are probably looking at fleas.
Once you have verified fleas, you will want to deal with them quickly. Start by removing all bedding that the dog sleeps on and get it into the washing machine.
Using a hot cycle, wash blankets, toys, and other soft things that your dog uses to ensure that you clean up any eggs or fleas that are lingering around. You may need to do this several times. Once you have started the laundry, it is time to clean up your dog.
Bathing My Dog With Flea Shampoo
Once you have determined that your dog has fleas, get ready to bathe them. You can use any of the available flea shampoos sold for dogs. The most significant thing that will ensure that you get rid of the fleas is to use a flea comb and work through their entire coat.
If you feel that after the first bath, you still see active fleas, you can give them another bath. Be cautious when using a flea shampoo, as some contain chemicals that can cause skin irritation if used too often.
Taking the time to work entirely through their coat should do the trick, but some dogs have a lot of fur, and it may take 1-2 washings to clear up the fleas.
Do I Have To Use Flea Shampoo To Get Rid Of Fleas?
If you want to bathe your dog immediately but do not have flea shampoo, that is just fine! Using dish soap can also remove fleas from your dog. Dish soap contains ingredients that essentially breakthrough a flea’s outer shell, which then causes them to drown. The goal is to eliminate fleas, and dish soap can undoubtedly do that.
As with any shampoo, be cautious around their eyes and ears, as both dish soap and flea shampoo can cause eye and ear irritation, but dish soap tends to be a bit milder.
If the dog has fleas, what else should I clean in my house?
If your dog has brought in fleas, you want to try to get rid of them completely. To reduce the risk of getting into a long cycle of treating fleas, it is best to deal with everything all at once.
Fleas have four stages of life, from egg to larvae to an adult, and you need to get rid of all of them before you can be sure the fleas are gone.
Once you have bathed the dog and their delicate items, be sure to vacuum and clean linens on beds and other blankets. The eggs can live anywhere, so doing a full, deep clean of things should eliminate them.
If some do come back, repeat the measures, and hopefully, there will be no more fleas!
If, after several attempts, you find that you cannot get rid of the fleas on your own, you can call the vet to see if they have any options for you.
Exterminators can also get rid of fleas; however, sometimes, the chemicals used by these companies can make animals sick, so be sure to let the company know that you have pets.
Bottom Line
No one wants to deal with fleas – if you have fleas, there are ways to get rid of them, starting with the probable source, your dog. Bathing your dog with either a flea shampoo or dish soap is just the beginning of the process.
Deep cleaning blankets, towels, dog beds, and carpets will also be needed to be sure that you get rid of any leftover flea stragglers hanging out in your home. A thorough deep clean should be all that is needed to finally rid you, your dog, and your home of these pesky biting bugs.
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