If you have found fleas on your pet, a great way to get rid of them is with flea shampoo. You need to identify the problem first before considering any kind of treatment. Do this by running a flea comb through the fur. If you find fleas, you know what you’re dealing with, but you can also look for flea eggs and flea dirt. The first sign of a flea attack is when your dog or cat starts scratching itself all the time. Then you should inspect it as soon as possible to find out if it’s time for a flea bath. Look for fleas especially behind the ears, under the chin and above the tail. Flea dirt is also often found on the belly of the animal.
What to look for in flea shampoos
When you look for flea shampoo, try to find one that works on both living adult fleas and flea eggs. Fleas need to be eliminated on all stages of their lifecycle, or else they’ll just keep coming back. Flea shampoo that only kills adult fleas may be a little cheaper than the ones that do both, but it’s not worth it because you just end up repeating flea baths instead. Another thing that varies in flea shampoo products is the active ingredient. Most commonly used is pyrethrins, which is an insecticide. This might be a bit too strong for smaller pets and puppies, so you should look for a more natural flea shampoo for these.
Ensure it is suitable for sensitive dogs or cats
You can also get flea shampoo that includes conditioner, which softens the fur of your pet. Consult with your veterinarian if you’re unsure which product to use on your pet. The easiest would be to find a flea shampoo that works on fleas and ticks at the same time, but you need to make sure your pet can handle it. Some pets are more sensitive than others and the size and general health of your pet also matters. Speaking of sensitivity, some pets are also irritated by the scent of flea shampoo. The only way to find out if your dog or cat reacts to the flea shampoo is by trying it out unfortunately.
Do flea baths really work?
Flea baths are a great way to get rid of fleas on your pet, but it’s not the only solution. If for some reason it doesn’t work on your pet, or if the pet dislikes flea shampoo, you can always try something else. Most quality shampoos do work great for most pets though. They are easy to work with and rinse out of the fur, without leaving any chemicals behind that can irritate the skin. Be sure to avoid getting the shampoo in the eyes of your pet, as this will be very uncomfortable and it might frighten it for future flea baths. I also recommend using an integrated pest management approach when it comes to tackling fleas. This means, you must also use flea drops/collars, sprays or powders depending on your situation. This will ensure the best results and keep your pet flea-free and healthy.
Use flea shampoo based on your pets body weight
If you have a medium or a large pet, your best choice would be to go with a flea shampoo that contains pyrethrins. This will ensure you get rid of all the fleas and flea eggs. If however you have a small pet, a puppy or a pet with bad health, you should look for a shampoo that contains natural ingredients only. In both cases, try to find a product that has conditioner to keep the fur and skin of your pet healthy.
How to give your pet a flea bath
Like with all other flea treatment products, you should read the instructions carefully before using it. Contact a veterinarian if you have questions regarding the health of your pet and a specific product. When you use flea shampoo to bathe your pet, start from the top and work your way down. This is important to make sure the fleas won’t travel upwards and hide in places like your pets ears. It can be difficult to wash the head, but please be careful and avoid getting shampoo in the eyes. After you have applied flea shampoo to the rest of the body, let it sit for a couple of minutes and then rinse thoroughly. After giving your pet a flea bath, you can supplement with a flea prevention product like flea drops, that prevent fleas from attacking your pet again. Also remember to get rid of all the living fleas and flea eggs in your home.
How to bathe your pet with flea shampoo
- Read the instructions on the label first.
- Wet your pet thoroughly.
- Start from the top and work your way down.
- Apply flea shampoo to the rest of the body.
- Let it sit for a couple of minutes then wash off.
- Dry your pet gently with a towel.
- Use flea drops afterwards for added protection.
Flea repellent tonic and homemade flea shampoo
Many pet owners these days want to use natural products for their pets, so more and more of them are going in for homemade flea shampoo recipes. There are several ingredients you can find in your kitchen that are powerful enough in repelling fleas.
Lemon flea repellent tonic
Lemons are one of the natural ingredients that can be quite effective. They contain d-limonene which is a natural flea repellent. Holistic pet parents have used lemon tonic made at home to repel fleas and also keep their pet smelling fresh and clean.
How to make flea repelling tonic
- Thinly slice an entire lemon with the peel.
- Add these slices to 1 pint of near boiling water.
- Steep overnight.
- Sponge the cooled liquid on your pets coat the next morning. Let it dry naturally.
- Use daily to combat your pets parasites and also give him a healthy, shiny and itch-free coat.
Homemade flea shampoo
Try this all natural flea shampoo recipe to keep your pet smelling great whilst repelling fleas.
Ingredients
- 3 drops of Cedarwood and Sweet orange essential oil
- ½ tsp of Jojoba oil and vegetable glycerin
- Distilled or mineral water as needed
- Castile soap – 1 cup. You can go in for scented castile soap
How to make your own flea shampoo
- Mix all ingredients in a bottle.
- Brush the pet prior to bathing.
- Wet the coat thoroughly.
- Apply the instructed amount of shampoo and lather up.
- Rinse and repeat as needed.
- Use the shampoo every 2 weeks.
5 reasons why you should use flea shampoo
There are a lot of reasons why you would want to bathe your dog once in a while and fleas are one of them.
Here are a few things I like about flea shampoo:
- Flea shampoo is easy to use and the effect is instant
- It can be used once a month during bath time to kill fleas on the pet
- Gentle and chemical safe for pets. Can be used safely around kids
- Effective against fleas as well as ticks
- Deodorizes and moisturizes the pet
