Why Isn’t Your Dog’s Flea Treatment Working, And What To Do About It?

So you spent a lot of money on flea treatments, but your pet is always scratching? Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence. The reality is that eliminating fleas requires more than just applying a single product to your pet. Before you get rid of fleas from your pet (and probably your house), there are a few things to think about.

Why Aren’t Dog Flea Treatments Effective?

There may be a number of reasons why your flea treatment isn’t working for your pet. The product could be made of low-quality ingredients or low-powered chemicals, you could be administering the product improperly, or you could be failing to keep your pet’s area clean, which is essential for flea eradication. Here are some possible explanations for why your flea treatment isn’t working.

  • Failing to treat the source of the infestation:

The fleas on your pet are the result of eggs that hatched in the environment. Determine the source and either treat it or limit your pet’s exposure to the region. Infestation is most commonly found in your house, yard, and parks.

  • Improper flea treatment application:

It is vital to read the directions for flea treatments, particularly topical products. Any oral flea treatments must be taken with a complete meal in order to be absorbed. Some topical flea treatments may be less effective if your pet is bathed or swims. Topical products should be applied directly to the skin between the shoulder blades in a two-inch area.

  • Misconception on how flea treatment works:

Since most flea treatments do not repel fleas, new fleas from the area can and will hop on your pet to eat. Flea treatments kill fleas either directly or indirectly by flea feeding on your pet. You should do some research on the product you’re using to see how quickly it starts killing fleas. Some products begin killing fleas within 30 minutes, while others may take up to 24 hours or more.

  • Not using a flea product that kills quickly or contains an insect growth regulator:

It is essential to begin killing fleas before they lay eggs or to use a flea treatment that eliminates the eggs. Breaking the flea’s life cycle is important.

  • It takes a bit of time:

Your Flea infestation did not occur overnight and will not be resolved in a matter of days. In reality, all stages of the flea cycle can take three to eight weeks, or two months, to fully grow and mature. For at least two months, flea treatment must be taken exactly as directed.

What are the most effective products?

You may be feeling a little confused by all of the dog flea products on the market. The product and their information below will assist you in comparing one product to another, so that you can get the best price for your money.

Nexgard Chewable

Nexgard Chewable for dogs is a one-of-a-kind oral beef-flavored soft chewable that prevents flea infestations by killing adult fleas. It treats and manages infestations of Lone Star ticks, Black-legged ticks, American dog ticks, and Brown dog ticks in dogs and puppies aged 8 weeks and weighing 4 lbs. or more.

Frontline Plus contains the insecticide fipronil, which kills adult fleas in 12 hours. It also contains methroprene, an insect growth regulator that destroys fleas before they hatch from their shells.

Frontline Plus for Dogs

Comfortis Plus (Trifexis) is one of the most popular flea-killing products. It’s an oral tablet that removes fleas also preventing them from Heartworm. It is an easy-to-dose monthly chew for dogs.

Capstar for dogs is an oral tablet that contains a fast-acting adulticide to combat adult fleas on dogs. Within half an hour of administration, it begins to work and kills all adult fleas within seven hours.

capstar for dog

Bravecto for dogs is a tasty chew that removes fleas and ticks while also preventing infestations for a period of 12 weeks. For 8 weeks, it even kills lone star ticks. It works quickly and lasts for a long time.

Barvecto for dogs

Activyl for dogs is a monthly topical flea treatment that is quite efficient. By disrupting the flea life cycle, the effective product destroys not only adult fleas but also flea eggs and larvae.

activyl for dogs

Credelio is a delicious beef-flavored flea and tick treatment for dogs that treats and controls fleas and ticks. The monthly oral treatment kills fleas in 12 hours and controls dog tick infestations.

credelio for Dogs

Consult your veterinarian to determine which methods and products are best for you and your pets. Your veterinarian is the best source of up-to-date flea knowledge.

As a result, an itchy pet could need more than flea care. That isn’t to say that fleas aren’t high on the list of things to rule out when it comes to flea care. If you have any doubts, please consult your veterinarian.


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