The application is preferred by the owner of the animal and the indication of the veterinarian, who can choose the price or the comfort you want to give the pet.
However, it is worth remembering that, to eliminate them for good, it is necessary that the owner cleans the house well to kill any fleas or eggs in the residence. Otherwise, the pet will be susceptible again.
What is it for?
Flea remedies are used to stop flea infestation in your pet. Other products are used to prevent this parasite, but they are used in the environment and not in the pet.
They must be indicated by the veterinarian, always following the instructions on the package insert and according to the weight and species of your animal .
How does it act in the organism?
Flea remedies are generally sold in two presentations. They are either topical drugs, that is, to be used locally, or they are oral, in the form of a chewable tablet or tablet.
Each of these presentations has a different mechanism of action. Understand:
Topical medications
Topical medications act by attacking fleas directly and helping the wounds to heal and should be applied to the pet’s body.
There is a huge diversity of topical medicines, such as talc, collars, medicines, sprays, shampoos, etc. They differ from each other by the drug used, frequency of application and concentration.
Some act by killing the flea by simple contact, in others it is necessary that the flea bites the animal to die and others kill it when the insect is going to clean itself and ingests the product impregnated in its own body.
There are also collars, which contain foods that eliminate fleas and ticks by contact. As the animal moves and the collar comes into contact with the hair, the contents spread throughout the animal.
These products have chemical and toxic characteristics that affect only the parasites, which makes them quite effective against fleas and ticks, generally, without presenting risks to the animal as long as they are used correctly.
Oral medications
Oral medications are absorbed by the pet’s body and, subsequently, by fleas, causing the death of the parasites. They do no harm to the pet, as long as they are administered correctly. Otherwise, they can be toxic and even cause the pet to die, so always talk to the vet.
In general, they can be divided into two categories: emergency and non-emergency use.
Emergency medications can be used when the pet has been exposed to a flea-like environment, such as a walk, before returning home. Thus, the medicine already begins to act and kill the adult fleas that are in the body of the animal. Thus, it prevents the house from being infested by fleas.
The big problem is that these products have a lifespan of 24 to 72 hours and then the active ingredient is already eliminated from the animal’s body.
On the other hand, those for non-emergency use have a different molecule, which stores the drug in the pete’s body and promotes a slow release into the bloodstream. Thus, the product lasts for a long time.
In the case of these medications, fleas that bite the animal after it has taken the medicine also die. One of the advantages is that the oral medication does not lose its effectiveness with baths.
However, they are more difficult to manage, as many dogs and cats can notice them, even when mixed with food.
In such cases, it is necessary to place the pill down the animal’s throat. Although it is uncomfortable, it is what you should do when the animal refuses to swallow the medicine.
What are anti-flea remedies?
Flea remedies are divided into treatment categories (sprays, chewable tablets and ointments) and prevention (room spray and flea collars).
Check now the main products available in the market to prevent and treat your pet according to the species (dog or cat):
Dog Remedies
Check here the main medications available on the market if your dog has fleas:
- Pills : the price of these products can vary from R $ 14.00 to R $ 80.00, depending on the size of the animal. For example: Capstar;
- Chewable tablets or tablets : they are the easiest to apply, as they were designed to suit the animal’s taste and make him eat the product as if it were a snack. In compensation, prices are generally higher, ranging from R $ 60.00 to R $ 300.00. Among them: Bravecto (chewable tablet) and Nexgard (chewable tablet);
- Sprays : are topical medications, that is, they must be used in the place where the flea infestation is happening. They are easy to apply and, in general, are more expensive than ointments. The price can vary from R $ 59.00 to R $ 181.00. For example: Frontline Spray;
- Ointment : should be applied to the animal’s head or neck so that it does not lick the product and end up intoxicating. They are a more affordable option, with prices ranging from R $ 42.00 to R $ 86.00. Example: Advantage Max (ointment);
- Pipettes : should be applied to the dog’s head, so that he does not lick the application site and ends up infected. The price can vary from R $ 42.90 to R $ 69.90. Example: Frontline plus;
- Collars : should be placed on the animal’s neck, following the recommendations on the packaging. Examples: Previn Flea and Tick Collar, Pulgoff and Vaponex Collar Flea and Tick Collar.
Remedies for cats
Now, if you have a cat that suffers from flea infestation, there are also specific remedies for that species. Check out:
- Pills : the price of pills for cats can vary from R $ 14.50 to R $ 72.65. Example: Capstar fleas ;
- Ointment : must be applied to the head or neck of the animal so that it does not lick the medicine and ends up intoxicating. Example: Antipulgas Advantage and Revolution Zoetis;
- Pipettes : should be applied to the kitten’s head, preventing it from licking the spot. The price can vary from R $ 49.90 to 159.90. Example: Advocate Fleas for Bayer Pet Cats ;
- Topspot : must be applied close to the neck, in several points so that the product runs through the body of the animal. Example: Frontline Topspot for Cats ;
- Collars : should be placed on the kitten following the recommendations on the packaging. Example: Bullcat Flea Collar for Cats .
Attention!
When buying medicine for your pet make sure that it matches your pet’s weight . It is also very important that you do not get confused and do not give cat medicine to dogs and vice versa . Therefore, always consult your veterinarian, as it is necessary to weigh the animal and check if the medicine is compatible with the breed.
NEVER start or stop using a medication without first consulting a veterinarian. Only he will be able to tell which medication, dosage and duration of treatment is the most suitable for each specific case. The information contained in this website is only intended to inform, not in any way intended to replace the guidance of a specialist or serve as a recommendation for any type of treatment. Always follow the instructions on the package insert and, if symptoms persist, seek professional guidance.
Flea Prevention Products
Just as important as treating pet fleas is to prevent them. For this, it is necessary to pay attention to the house, making sure that there are no fleas in the environment. Otherwise, they will re-infest your pet.
The products for prevention are divided between environment sprays, which are used to get rid of fleas and their eggs scattered around the house, and the flea collars, used by the animal.
It is worth remembering that it is not because you treated your pet and put a flea collar on it that you do not need to clean the house. Fleas and their eggs can live for months and even years in the environment, feeding only on organic matter mixed with dust. So there is little care.
Check out the main products:
Flea Collars
Flea collars are used to prevent fleas from affecting dogs and cats again, making them a good option for owners who walk a lot with the pet and, especially, for those animals that stay outdoors.
On the street, it is easier for the animal to come into contact with fleas and the collar prevents the pet from taking some of them home. It is also indicated for those who do not deal well with medicines, due to the possibility of skin irritations.
These products work by releasing non-volatile toxins (which do not release toxic vapors) into the animal’s body as it moves. They are not toxic to pets, however, they have their restrictions. Are they:
- Do not use the collar on females who are feeding puppies;
- Do not use on animals less than 6 weeks of age;
- Keep the collar away from the animal’s mouth.
In cases where the pet is very small, it is necessary that the collar is tight and that the surplus is cut so that the animal does not try to pluck or chew it. Among the options available on the market today are:
- Pulgoff ;
- Previn ;
- Vaponex .
Environment Sprays
The environment sprays are like insecticides, only with greater effectiveness to eliminate fleas.
To use this product at home, first vacuum the entire environment the dog lives in and give special attention to cracks and openings, which is where most fleas tend to stay.
Among the options of ambient sprays available on the market is Ceva Mypet.
Home remedies for fleas
There are also homemade alternatives to eliminate your partner’s fleas. They are a cheaper alternative, however, before using them, it is important to speak with the veterinarian to make sure that there are no risks for your pet.
Check out some recipes now:
Recipe 1
You will need:
- 1L of cereal alcohol (do not use ordinary alcohol);
- 100mL of apple cider vinegar;
- 25g of cloves;
- Camphor stones (8 round or 4 square);
- 5 tablespoons of rosemary (dry or green);
- 200mL of water.
Follow these steps:
- Put the camphor to melt. To do this, place the product in a small pot and pour a little water on the stones;
- In a milk jug, add 200mL of water, 5 tablespoons of rosemary, 25g of cloves and boil the mixture while the camphor melts in the alcohol;
- Pour the mixture made in the dairy into a bottle without straining. It is important that the rosemary pieces are not separated, as this is the main ingredient – you should only strain the mixture when placing it in the spray bottle;
- Add cereal alcohol to the bottle;
- Add 200mL of apple cider vinegar to the bottle;
- From that moment on, the camphor must have dissolved in the alcohol. Take this mixture and add it to the bottle;
- Mix well and strain the liquid into a spray bottle.
With the liquid ready, you should “open” your pet’s fur and apply it to his skin. To prevent the fleas from spreading, a good tip is to pass the product on the animal’s house. If made this way, with apple cider vinegar and grain alcohol, the mixture will not harm your partner’s skin.
Recipe 2
This recipe is easier to make, but harder for the owners. You will need to mix only two ingredients in the following proportions: alcohol (2 parts) and oil (1 part). You can use any oil you have at home for this recipe.
To apply, you must moisten the mixture and pass the animal’s hair several times. Alcohol will make fleas “dizzy”, while the second makes them come off more easily, sometimes even on their own.
After applying the mixture to the animal, you should still “hunt” the remaining fleas by running your hand over the dog’s body and removing them one by one.
Important reminder: as soon as you catch a flea, kill it. Alcohol does not kill fleas, so it must be done manually.
Recipe 3
A brewer’s yeast contains a high concentration of vitamin B1, which modifies the odor of blood and makes unpleasant for parasites.
Then, use the brewer’s yeast at bath time, spreading a tablespoon all over the animal’s body and rubbing it with a little water. This product should chase away fleas and help heal possible wounds.
If the dog already has fleas, you should also run your hand and look for fleas remaining on the fur.
Attention!
Talk to your vet before applying any homemade method!
How do you know if your pet has fleas?
First, you must watch. Fleas are very uncomfortable and cause the animal to scratch a lot. So, if your pet keeps scratching, this can be an indication that he is suffering from this problem.
But, to be sure, you need to look more closely. There are some places on the pet’s body that make it easier to check for fleas, as they are lighter and have less hair, such as the belly, the base of the tail and the head.
You should run your hand through the region and look for the presence of flea “cocozinhos”, which are small black dots on the fur, and also for the flea eggs, which are very small and white balls.
Depending on the degree of infestation of the pet, it is possible to find more signs, such as bedsores, redness. Some pets may even present allergic dermatitis to the flea bite, which causes a great discomfort for the animal, causing it to bite itself in the bite region.
Side effects
Side effects of anti-flea products are rare, but they can happen. When they happen, it is usually due to lack of care at the time of application or due to the dog’s own stubbornness, which itches and licks the area that has been treated.
Errors in the dose of the medication may also occur. Therefore, make sure that the product you are applying matches the breed, species and size of your pet.
When flea remedies begin to have side effects, they are usually:
- Excessive salivation;
- Vomiting;
- Diarrhea;
- Fever;
- Tremors throughout the body;
- Hyperactivity or nervousness;
- Fatigue;
- Tingling;
- Limb numbness;
- Excessive urine or loss of bladder control;
- Irregular or accelerated breathing;
- Hypothermia;
- Cramps;
- Asthma;
- Itch;
- Abnormal pupil behavior;
- Convulsions;
- Itching (red skin and rashes).
If one or more of these symptoms appear in your partner, do not hesitate to take him to the vet. These signs usually appear about a few hours after application, and if you ignore them too long, you could be putting your pet’s life at risk.
Contraindications
Flea remedies are contraindicated for animals in the gestation phase and that are breastfeeding, as they can affect the development of the pups.
The age at which puppies can start using anti-flea medicines varies according to the product. Therefore, always read the package insert and consult your veterinarian before making any application.
How to prevent fleas
After treating your pet’s fleas, it is important that you take some preventive measures, as they breed very quickly and are not just in the pet’s fur.
In fact, they spread throughout the house. The eggs of this insect fall to the floor and stay on the carpet, on the sofa, on the bed and in your pet’s house. Therefore, it is important that you clean these places thoroughly to make sure that the fleas do not affect your pet and the residents of the house again.
One way to carry out the first cleaning is through the use of a vacuum cleaner, passing it throughout the house, paying special attention to the cracks and corners, as this is where most of the eggs are deposited.
Then, pass the anti-flea products in these places to eliminate any remnants that may have remained. Remember that a single flea is capable of laying 30 to 50 eggs a day, which makes infestation even easier.
When removing fleas from fabrics, such as sheets and pillowcases, these fabrics must be exposed to high temperatures, or the fleas and eggs present are not eliminated. Therefore, put the fabrics in a washing machine and dryer and, if you do not have a dryer, lay them out in the sun or iron the hot iron.
Another very pertinent tip is to give your pet regular baths (once a week) so that he does not take any risks. During baths, if there are fleas, they are anesthetized and you can remove them one by one from your pet’s body.
The regions that fleas appear most at bath time are around the anus and at the base of the head and ears, so pay special attention to these places. It is worth remembering that fleas do not die during the bath, so you have to kill them when taken from your pet.
Also, once a week, brush your pet with a fine comb. In this way, you can remove part of the eggs, fleas and their feces, controlling the infestation.
Another tip for prevention is the use of flea collars, always following the recommendation of each product according to the species of your pet (whether it is cat or dog) and its size (large, medium or small size).
Does flea medicine work against ticks?
Not all remedies that work against fleas have the same effect against ticks, but many of them treat the infestation as well. Likewise, there are products that, in addition to treating fleas, eliminate lice, intestinal worms and scabies .
The most correct thing to do, if your dog or cat is not only with fleas, is to talk to the veterinarian about the best medicine to treat all problems.
There are drugs that minimize the possibility of allergy , for example, and others that already act only 30 minutes after application. Take advantage of this diversity and make the best choice for your partner!
