Effective flea control for dogs and cats
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Many effective flea control products have made their way onto the market over the past few decades, and veterinarians as well as pet owners are often confused as to which ones are the most effective. It seems that every few years a new flea medication is coming out touting superiority over another. However, at the same time lots of clients may also complain that some of the older products don’t work as well as they used to. There is plenty of supporting data published by leading parasitologists that indicate that most, if not all of the products are still quite effective.
The greatest problems we’re seeing when flea control fails is with veterinarians who are not educating clients on the multi-pronged technique needed for effective flea control. These steps include not only treating your pet, but also the environment and yard, as well as following product label or veterinarian instructions. The crucial to effective client compliance is to treat all of the cats and dogs that come in contact with your own. It is also crucial to recognize the complex and long life cycle of the flea, which includes multiple stages from the very resistant eggs, larvae, pupae, and adult stages.
It’s crucial for clients to realize the value of continuing flea treatment, especially in severe flea infestations, which may often take up to several months to have the flea infestation under the control. Pet owners must be aware that there are always potentially new sources of fleas, including stray cats or dogs, and various wildlife that can deposit eggs into the outdoor or inside environment.
Some of the a lot more effective topical flea treatments in my experience include the same topical products that have been around the longest, such as Frontline Plus, advantage II, and K9 Advantix II. However, if the environment is not treated, flea eggs can still hatch and develop into larvae and adults. That’s why it is crucial to treat your home and your pet’s environment with flea products such as room foggers, carpet powders, and yard sprays.
For those clients who like a a lot more natural approach to flea control, this will undoubtedly require a lot more diligent and persistent efforts. This method can range from adding fresh garlic or brewers yeast to your pets’ diets, or using various essential oil products now available. In addition, a lot more natural flea control products like Be Flea Free Shampoo and Be Flea Spray can also keep fleas at bay.
With heavily infested animals, I often start my clients with a dose of oral Capstar, which will kill adult fleas within a few hours. Capstar can be repeated up to once daily until the topical or oral products have a chance to take effect. and for pet owners with puppies or kittens, Capstar is especially beneficial for these animals because they can swiftly become anemic from a severe flea infestation.
No matter which technique is taken, it’s crucial to address a flea problem from a multifaceted stance and to remember to be consistent by giving all animals within your home flea medication each month.
Flea and Tick