Dog Fleas

Flea treatment for dogs

Fleas can be distressing for your pet and they are more than just a nuisance. These parasites can cause skin disease and transmit infectious or parasitic diseases, some of which can be transmitted to humans too. It’s important to familiarise yourself with the best flea treatment options for dogs.

Flea treatment for puppies

In general, flea treatments for puppies will be the same as for adult dogs, although it is important to check the product information for the recommended puppy starting age and weight for the product.

When it comes to the best flea treatment for puppies, you can’t go past NexGard^® for Dogs and NexGard SPECTRA^® for Dog. NexGard can be used in puppies from 8 weeks of age and 2 kg bodyweight. NexGard SPECTRA can be used from 8 weeks of age and 1.35 kg bodyweight. They kill fleas within 6-8 hours of product administration. The rapid speed of action means adult fleas are killed before they can lay eggs, helping to prevent infestation of the environment. Regular monthly treatment is recommended to keep your pet and home flea free.

Flea and tick treatment for dogs

Using a product that kills more than one type of parasite is a great solution for parasite control. NexGard for Dogs is a tasty beef-flavoured chew that provides flea, tick and mite protection for dogs. NexGard SPECTRA for Dogs is a tasty beef-flavoured chew that provides the most complete protection against fleas, ticks, mites, heartworm and intestinal worms, all in one tasty chew.

Flea control for dogs

When considering flea control for dogs and puppies, it is important to use a product that is highly effective at killing fleas on your dog, such as NexGard for Dogs or NexGard SPECTRA for Dogs.

To keep your home flea free for the long term, we also suggest taking the following steps:

Wash bedding in hot water and dry on high heat or in the sun.

Periodically wash your pet’s bedding in hot water and dry on a high heat setting or in direct sunlight to kill any flea eggs and larvae.

 Vacuum your carpets often

Regular vacuuming of carpets and rugs in your home is advisable, especially in areas where your pets tend to lounge.

 Cover crawl spaces and garbage bins

Deter wild animals that carry fleas from your home and surroundings, and block access to outdoor crawl spaces. 

Flea powder

Rather than using old-fashioned flea treatments, like flea powder for dogs, it is best to use a highly effective and proven parasite control product such as NexGard for Dogs or NexGard SPECTRA for Dogs. They kill fleas within 6-8 hours of product administration.

Flea spray for dogs

A flea and tick spray called Frontline Spray is available to protect dogs against fleas and ticks. It can be used on puppies from 2 days of age. For more information visit https://frontlinepetcare.com.au/

Chewable flea treatment for dogs

A chewable flea medicine for dogs is the ideal solution for flea control. NexGard for Dogs and NexGard SPECTRA for Dogs are tasty, beef-flavoured chews that dogs love. Fleas are killed within 6-8 hours of product administration. The rapid speed of action means adult fleas are killed before they can lay eggs, helping to prevent infestation of the environment. Regular monthly treatment is recommended to keep your pet and home flea free.

Anti-flea drops

Anti-flea drops for dogs are also referred to as topical flea treatments. These treatments are applied to the skin. The downside is that they can be affected by bathing, swimming or shampooing. NexGard for Dogs and NexGard SPECTRA for Dogs are oral products that are not affected by bathing, swimming or shampooing and provide highly effective flea control.

Natural flea treatment

It is important to use effective and proven flea treatment for dogs. There is a lack of evidence on the safety or effectiveness of many natural remedies for fleas. If you have questions about the most appropriate options for parasite control for your dog, please speak to your vet.

Flea tablets for dogs

Some flea tablets for dogs can be difficult to administer. NexGard for Dogs and NexGard SPECTRA for Dogs are soft, tasty beef-flavoured chew that dogs love. NexGard for Dogs and NexGard SPECTRA for Dogs do not need to be given with food. You can choose to give the chew to your dog any time that suits you, with or without food.

Find out more information about how to find fleas on your dog.

FAQs

How do dogs catch fleas?

Dogs can pick up fleas from a walk, playing in the dog park, at the beach or even in the backyard. The adult fleas we see on pets represent only 5% of the total population. The other 95% are immature stages in the environment. By the time you see adult fleas on your pets it’s most likely there are already flea eggs, larvae and pupae established in your home and garden.
Can dogs’ fleas transfer to humans?

While fleas prefer their canine hosts and are not as likely to remain on your skin, if you have a heavy household infestation it is very likely that you and your family will get bitten. However, while fleas can bite humans, you are not what they are really looking for. Fleas are not likely to live on you in the way they live on your dog. They may however transmit diseases to humans, such as flea-borne spotted fever – yet another reason to make sure you maintain good flea control for your dog.

Do I need to fumigate my home for fleas if my dog catches them?

It is very important that all dogs and cats in your household are treated with an effective flea control product all year round to kill adult fleas and break the flea life cycle. Using environmental treatments to kill immature flea stages in the environment may be necessary to help with severe infestations. Other recommendations include: discard all flea infested items (e.g. bedding) where practical; vacuum regularly; steam clean where possible (this will assist with removal of eggs and stimulate fleas to emerge from their pupal cocoons making them easier to kill); clean between floorboards and in cracks between tiles and pavers; and wash pet bedding and blankets regularly in water above 60°C for at least 10 minutes.

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