Why Does My Dog Keep Having Fleas?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Dogs often get infested with fleas

through contact with other animals or contact with fleas in the environment

. The strong back legs of this insect enable it to jump from host to host or from the surrounding environment onto the host. (Fleas do not have wings, so they cannot fly.)

Why does my dog keep getting fleas even after treatment?


Not treating often enough

Fleas go through a life cycle of egg, larvae, pupae and adult. Most flea treatments just kill adult fleas, but fleas can continue to emerge for months after you think an infestation has ended. When a newly emerged female flea finds a host, she can lay eggs within one day.

Why does my dog get fleas so often?

Your dog will most likely pick up fleas outside

during contact with other animals, be they pets or wildlife

. Dogs are sociable creatures, and fleas can jump from the pup they met in the park to your pooch or even from other pets. Dogs love to investigate open spaces where wild animals carrying fleas are also present.

How do you break the life cycle of a flea?

Fleas cannot fly, but they move by jumping from object to object. It can take up to 3 months to break a total flea life cycle by

using monthly flea treatments

. For indoor flea control, vacuuming all floors, carpets, baseboards, pet bedding and furniture will help remove adult fleas and eggs.

Will fleas go away on their own?

Will Fleas Go Away on Their Own? The short answer is

no, they won’t

! Fleas feed and reproduce on dogs, cats, and other pets with substantial hair, fur, or feathers. They are parasites that need blood hosts to survive, so they will jump around all the potential hosts in your home to find one.

How do you get rid of fleas that won’t go away?

Control the environment – Adopt control strategies including: Vacuum the carpet 2-3 times a week to remove eggs, wash pets blankets weekly (in the washing machine), spray the house, kennels and yards with an adult flea killer, fog the house to prevent larvae developing.

How do you get flea eggs off a dog?

Treat Your Pet


Use Adams Plus Flea & Tick Spray or Adams Plus Flea & Tick Collars with an insect growth regulator (IGR) designed to kill flea eggs and their larvae

. The spray is effective for up to two months, and the collars are effective for up to seven months.

Can my dog sleep in my bed with fleas?

Unfortunately,

if your dog has fleas and sleeps in your bed, your bed will likely end up with fleas

. Fleas can lay eggs in your pet’s fur, and those eggs can fall off onto your bedding and other areas where your dog sits or sleeps.

Why do fleas keep coming back?

The most common reason for fleas coming back time and time again is

not treating the environment thoroughly enough

. Because the life cycle of fleas is so long it’s imperative to continually vacuum and keep picking up fleas at each stage of their life cycle.

How do indoor dogs get fleas?

Dogs often get infested with fleas

through contact with other animals or contact with fleas in the environment

. The strong back legs of this insect enable it to jump from host to host or from the surrounding environment onto the host. (Fleas do not have wings, so they cannot fly.)

Can a dog get fleas if they have been treated?

There are no flea products that stop fleas from jumping onto pets. This means that regardless of the licensed flea treatment you use –

you may still see fleas on your pet until the flea product kills it

.

How many fleas is a lot on a dog?

Just One Flea Can Be a Sign of a Problem

As few as 20 fleas might mean your pet is infested, while the most could be

between 200 to 300

. Ignoring a few fleas can quickly lead to an infestation on your dog and in your home,

2

because two adult fleas could lead to hundreds of eggs and pupae.

Where do fleas hide on dogs?

Your dog’s

armpit and groin areas

are favorite flea hangouts because they tend to be warm and protected. Part your dog’s fur with your fingers to expose the skin. If fleas are present, you may notice the following signs: The skin may look red and bumpy, especially if your dog has been scratching.

Can fleas go in human hair?


While rare, fleas can make their way onto human hair

. In the absence of household pets like cats and dogs, fleas may decide to approach their next victim, us humans, for their regular blood meals. In this step-to-step guide, you will learn how to quickly treat fleas found in human hair.

How long do fleas live on dogs?

Once aboard, they remain until they are dislodged or groomed from the animal. Without a host, adult fleas live only

a few days to 2 weeks

. On short-haired cats and dogs fleas survive an average of 8 days; they live longer on long-haired animals.

Can fleas live on my bed?

Can fleas live in beds?

Yes, they can

. Fleas enjoy a warm environment and your bed is the ideal place. The adult fleas will lay their eggs within the mattress material – and produce fecal matter to feed the larvae.

Can fleas live in carpet?


Flea larvae can lurk in the carpet for months feeding off the dried blood and feces of the adults on the host

. High pile carpets are the perfect hiding place for fleas. While looking for hosts, the pests can leap up to seven inches from the ground.

Should I take my dog to the vet for fleas?

If you find fleas on your pet, don’t panic,

it’s rarely a reason to seek emergency veterinary care

. Yes, fleas are unpleasant for pets and humans. Not only can they cause your pet discomfort and irritation, they can also carry some nasty illnesses as well as infest your carpets, beds and other areas of your home.

Why does my dog still have fleas after using frontline?

A. The active ingredient in FRONTLINE (fipronil) kills fleas by affecting their nervous system, making them hyperactive before dying. These dying fleas often rise to the top of your pet’s haircoat, so the presence of visible fleas after treating your pet, is

a sign that the product is working

.

What kills fleas instantly in house?

  • Use baking soda. …
  • Sprinkle salt. …
  • Lemon spray. …
  • Wash all bedding in hot, soapy water. …
  • Use rosemary. …
  • Hire a steam cleaner. …
  • Use a powerful vacuum. …
  • 8 dog cleaning essentials every owner needs.

Can you see flea eggs?

It’s quite hard to spot the flea eggs, be it on your pet, on their bedding or on the floor, due to their tiny size (less than half a millimetre long). They are oval in shape and of a whitish colour.

Under a microscope, one can see that flea eggs look like rice grains

.

What Colour are flea eggs?

Egg – About the size of a grain of sand and

whitish in color

, flea eggs are very hard to see. After an adult lays its eggs in an animals’ fur, they often fall out onto the carpet, pet’s bedding in homes or onto the soil when eggs are located outside.

How can I tell if my couch has fleas?

Upholstered furniture – Check upholstered furniture and other places where you pet may lay for flea evidence. Carpets and Rugs – Wearing a pair of white socks, slowly shuffle your feet over the carpet or rug. After several seconds, stop and use your flashlights to look for live fleas on the socks and the carpet.

How often should I bathe my dog if he has fleas?

A dog with a flea infestation should be treated immediately with medication and a flea dip bath. However, flea shampoos are notoriously harsh on a pooch’s skin. Therefore, be certain you don’t try to give your dog with fleas a bath every day.

Once a week

should be enough.

How can you tell if your house has fleas?

How many fleas is an infestation?

Infested cats and dogs typically have

less than 20

fleas living on them. It’s believed that pets can support a maximum of 200 to 300 fleas. However, one study showed that fleas won’t abandon their host, even when the corporeal population exceeds 300.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.