Safely removing fleas is important for the health of your puppy.
Treatment for fleas on puppies is very different from treating those same pests on adult dogs. While many chemical treatments are available, many are too harsh to use on new pups. Natural remedies are available that are safe, affordable and effective.
Bath Time
A little bathwater goes a long way in the treatment of fleas. Use a mild shampoo and start with the puppy's head and ears, as that is the direction the fleas will run when the water is introduced. A citrus-scented shampoo is the best option, because fleas are repelled by that scent. Dish soap and baby shampoo will also work.
Natural Oils
Fleas are repelled by the scent of citrus, lavender and peppermint. Oils with these scents can be applied to your puppy's back between his should blades or on his collar. This will keep the fleas at bay and keep your puppy smelling sweet.
Spray It Away
Liquid solutions you can make at home have been successful at repelling fleas from puppies. Dilute apple-cider vinegar or juice squeezed from a lemon or orange with water and put the mixture into a squirt bottle. Squirt the liquid onto your puppy's hair and let it air dry. Be careful not to get the mixture into your puppy's eyes. For application on his face, squirt the liquid onto your hands and rub it onto your puppy.
Clean House
Treating and repelling fleas on your puppy will be ineffective if you do not eliminate the pests from your home. A vacuum is effective for removing eggs and larvae from carpet. Be sure to throw away the vacuum bag once you have finished. Launder all bedding and linens in areas where the puppy has had access. These steps will keep your puppy from being reinfected after treatment.
Be Sure to Brush
Use a flea comb on your puppy regularly, especially after he comes in from outside. Keep a glass of water nearby and put all removed fleas into the water.
Related posts
Raise Shih Tzu PupsThe Shih Tzu is a popular companion animal. Bred and developed to be a pet and nothing more, this tiny dog with the wide, round eyes currently ranks as the AKC's 12th most popul...
Stick with using cloth ties and ribbons on baby's delicate hairs.Baby girls might have tons of hair on their tiny heads or just a few wispy tufts, but either way a baby's hair requires care to kee...
Shih Tzu puppyThe Shih Tzu's long, human-like hair is the hallmark of this little breed. Although Shih Tzu aren't born with those luxurious tresses, grooming your puppy's growing coat is part of d...
Black hair doesn't create its own oil, and will get much drier than other hair types. Therefore, it is important to keep the scalp and hair well-oiled. Babies hair tends to be very soft, but as ki...
Put a Bow on a BabyWhen you have a new baby, you want to dress them up and show them off. Sometimes, you even want to put a bow on the baby, especially if it is a little girl. It might take some t...
