How to get rid of fleas on dogs and cats? - briefly
Apply a veterinarian‑approved topical or oral flea medication to the pet and wash all bedding and furnishings in hot water. Treat the home environment with a suitable insecticide and maintain regular grooming to prevent reinfestation.
How to get rid of fleas on dogs and cats? - in detail
Fleas complete their life cycle on a host, in the environment, and in the egg‑larva‑pupa stages. Interrupting each phase prevents reinfestation.
- Identify infestation by spotting adult insects, noticing excessive scratching, or finding flea dirt (dark specks) on the animal’s coat.
- Begin immediate treatment with a fast‑acting adulticide: topical spot‑on products (e.g., fipronil, imidacloprid) or oral tablets (e.g., nitenpyram, spinosad). Apply according to the label for the specific species and weight.
- Follow with a growth regulator (insect growth regulator, IGR) such as methoprene or pyriproxyfen to stop eggs from developing into adults. IGRs are available in collars, sprays, or shampoos.
- Use a flea‑comb daily for two weeks, collecting and disposing of captured insects.
- Bathe the pet with a flea‑shampoo containing pyrethrins or a synthetic insecticide to reduce adult populations on the coat.
Environmental control eliminates emerging fleas:
- Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and pet bedding thoroughly; discard the vacuum bag or clean the canister immediately.
- Wash all washable fabrics in hot water (minimum 60 °C) and dry on high heat.
- Apply a household flea spray or fogger containing an adulticide plus IGR to cracks, baseboards, and under furniture; follow the product’s safety interval before re‑entry.
- Treat outdoor resting areas with a yard‑safe insecticide, focusing on shaded, humid spots where larvae thrive.
Monitor progress for four weeks. Re‑apply adulticide and IGR treatments at the recommended intervals (typically 30 days) to capture any newly emerged adults. Maintain a regular preventive regimen—monthly topical or oral preventatives—throughout the year to avoid recurrence.