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Flea treatment
How do you apply flea treatment to your pet?
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Can you apply flea treatment wrong?
- By Sarah
-
- November 27, 2024
- 3 MIN READ
Your pet is still scratching after treatment? Spotted a flea even though you protect your pet? If this sound familiar, it’s likely your pet's flea treatment isn’t effective. In most cases, this is due to incorrect application of the product. Keep reading to find out if you’re the problem, not the treatment…
Flea treatment
Protecting your pet from fleas is crucial - it doesn’t matter whether they are an indoor cat or a dog that roams the woods - it is still possible for them to get fleas. By using preventative products, you can stop fleas from infesting your pet and your home. Fleas can cause a whole host of issues for cats and dogs, from skin conditions to tapeworm infections and if left untreated, can result in serious health problems. It’s better to prevent these nasties from turning your world upside down, than trying to rectify it after they do!
Different types of treatment
There are a few different options to choose from when it comes to flea-protecting your pet. Here are a list of the most common flea control products:
- Spot-on flea treatment
- Oral medication
- Flea collars
- Flea sprays
How often should you apply?
Vets recommend de-fleaing your pet every month to keep fleas at bay all year round. This is specifically recommended if your pet is flea allergic, meaning they are more susceptible to health issues once a flea latches on. With monthly protection, fleas will struggle to reproduce and their life cycle can be broken. So any fleas infesting your pet and home, will be eradicated for good!
It can be inconvenient to remember applying flea treatment every month, that’s why we’d suggest using a subscription service, like Itch Flea treatment for cats and dogs, so you never forget to protect your pet.
How do you apply flea treatment to your pet?
Firstly, no matter what flea treatment you use on your pet, we’d always recommend following the instructions provided on the product packaging. For spot-on treatment, like Itch Flea treatment for cats and dogs, here’s some vet-approved tips on applying to your pet:
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Only apply Itch Flea treatment to your pet indoors.
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Your pet should be dry! Never apply when their fur is wet.
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Spot-on flea treatment is most effective when applied directly to the skin - for floofy pets, try hair clips to keep their fur out of the way.
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Squeeze all the treatment onto your pet’s neck. The entire dose is needed to kill off any fleas.
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Wash your hands after treating your pet. Accidental ingestion can pose serious risks.
Flea treatment not working?
There are a couple of clear signs that suggest the flea treatment you are administering to your pet isn’t working. These are, your pet is still scratching after application or that you spot alive fleas on your pet, again after application. It’s important to note if your pet is scratching lots after applying spot-on treatment, this could be the active ingredients working their magic - find out more here. Usually your flea treatment isn’t working effectively because some important steps haven’t been followed after applying the treatment. Our Head Vet at Itch, Dr Zoe Costigan recommends sticking to these house rules after treating your pet to ensure 100% efficacy of the product:
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Keep' em dry.
Your pet can't get wet for 48 hours (This includes walkies in the rain).
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Hands off
Don’t touch the treated area.
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No licking
No licking the treated area (your pet, not you…).
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Keep your distance
Don't share your bed with your pet on the night your pet is treated.
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Treat every pet
Flea treat all your pets in your household at the same time, ideally in the evening.
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Monitor your pet
Weigh your pet regularly and make sure their dose is suitable.
To cut the waffle, it is possible to apply flea treatment wrong to your pet and this is likely because of incorrect application and not following vet-recommended aftercare. Not applying flea treatment effectively will lead to a never ending flea infestation, which nobody wants. If you are struggling to fight off fleas, our friendly Vet Team of qualified experts are on hand to help. Drop us a DM, send us an email or pick up the phone.
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Get rid of fleas, ticks AND lice... and stop them coming back!
Fleas, ticks and lice can be a nightmare, but with the right approach, you can take control and rid your pets and home of these bothersome pests. Remember that parasites can be persistent, so patience and regular treatment will be your best friends! By addressing both your pet and their environment, you can ensure a flea-free and comfortable living space for both your furry companion and your family.
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Treatment Issues
What To Do If You Can't Get Rid of Fleas After Treatment
Dealing with a flea infestation can be a frustrating and exasperating experience, especially when you've tried everything but the fleas just won't seem to go away. It's a common scenario: you've diligently applied flea treatments, cleaned your home, and taken all necessary precautions, yet those persistent pests continue to bother your pets and invade your living space. If you find yourself in this situation, don't lose hope. Here we'll delve into the reasons behind failed flea treatments, how to identify signs of treatment resistance, and explore effective solutions to finally bid those relentless fleas farewell.
Flea
Treatment Issues
Why is my pet still scratching after applying a Flea Treatment?
Not all flea treatments are created equal. Itch Flea is a double action spot on treatment that not only contains Fipronil but also (unlike lots of other flea treatments), (S) Methoprene. This means that it not only targets the adult fleas feeding on your pets and kills them dead in 24 hours (and ticks in 48 hours), it also targets flea eggs and larvae, stopping the fast and furious flea life cycle dead in its tracks.
We asked in-house Itch vet, Dr. Zoe Costigan to give us the lowdown on why your cat or dog might still be scratching after applying a flea treatment to your pet. Here's what she had to say:
“It’s fairly normal for there to be a period of hyperactivity amongst the fleas as the active ingredients in a flea treatment take effect and this can cause an increase in your pet scratching. It should settle down after 24 hours. If after 24 hours your pet continues to scratch, there could be other things going on. Your pet could be flea-allergic, it could have a skin infection or a hormone imbalance, or other conditions which can lead to itchiness.”
Flea
Treatment
Do Natural Flea Treatments Actually Work?
Fleas, the tiny terrors that can turn your pet's life into an itchy, uncomfortable ordeal. When faced with a flea infestation, many pet owners seek solutions that are safe and natural. But do these natural flea treatments actually work? In this blog post, we'll discuss the world of natural flea remedies, exploring common options, assessing their effectiveness, and discovering which ones are worth considering. We'll also introduce you to Itch Flea treatment and explain why it’s so fab as an effective preventative treatment. By the end, you'll have a clearer understanding of whether natural flea treatments are the right choice for your furry friend.