Having a dog or a cat in your household can surely grant you a lot of benefits, as these wonderful animals can be delightful companions for just about anyone. While there are numerous pet lovers out there, and for good reasons, we can’t deny the fact that our furry friends can also carry parasitic insects such as fleas. Furthermore, those fleas can spread diseases to us.
Even though the primary concern with flea infestations is typically the discomfort they cause through irritation and itching, we should be more aware of the fact that fleas can spread diseases such as plague, cat scratch fever, tapeworm infection, tungiasis, and more.
The good news is that it’s not hard at all to get rid of fleas by using either natural or less natural remedies. Let’s cut to the chase:
Flea shampoos and baths
If you want to effectively kill adult fleas and soothe that annoying itching, giving your dog or cat a flea bath with a specially formulated flea shampoo can be all you need to do. However, you need to follow those instructions carefully and avoid getting shampoo in the eyes of your pet.
Oral flea meds
Another way to get rid of those pesky fleas is to give your pet chewable tablets or pills that were specially created for flea-killing. These are medications, and they prevent the reproduction of those annoying insects by breaking the flea life cycle.
Natural remedies:
Did you know that there are also natural remedies available that can help you get rid of fleas? Ingredients such as essential oils (peppermint, lavender, or eucalyptus), diatomaceous earth, and apple cider vinegar are capable of repelling fleas if you apply them on your pet’s fur or you simply spray them around the house.
Flea collars:
Flea collars can be a very convenient and long-lasting solution in case you want to get rid of fleas from your pet. That’s because such specially designed collars can release chemicals that are toxic for the fleas, and they can provide permanent protection for your beloved pet.
Topical flea treatments:
You can also opt for topical flea treatments, which can consist of spot-on medications that can be directly applied to the skin of your pet. These chemicals are usually applied between the shoulder blades of the animal, where it’s harder for them to reach. Such treatments can easily kill fleas once those insects come in contact with the substance, and thus, your pet can even benefit from long-lasting protection against parasitic insects.
Vacuum and cleaning:
You don’t need to be the reincarnation of Tesla to figure out that vacuuming and cleaning your house regularly is essential in order to get rid of fleas. You need to pay special attention to rugs, carpets, and upholstered furniture, as these places represent common hiding spots for those little rascals. Fleas will even lay their eggs in such places. Therefore, you can eliminate fleas and their larvae by washing pet bedding and linens in hot water.
You don’t have to let those pesky fleas chow down on you or your beloved pet. There are way too many ways out there to get rid of those insects completely.