Best Way to Get Rid of Fleas on Dogs

As much as we love our dogs, we hate those little uninvited guests our dogs sometimes bring in with them--fleas. Those nasty, hopping, biting insects seem to get everywhere and are hard to control. Fleas are more than an annoyance to your dog, though--they can transmit disease, such as tapeworms. Fleas tend to prefer warm, humid temperatures, so while in some areas of the country they are a year-round problem, in others they are seasonal, appearing in the spring and summer. If you haven't been taking preventive measures or have a new dog, you may have to take several steps to get rid of them.

If your dog has a flea infestation, you'll want to get rid of them as soon as possible. Capstar is an oral tablet that interferes with fleas' neurotransmission, killing them quickly. Capstar begins working in as little as 30 minutes, and in 4 or 5 hours 90 percent of the fleas will be dead.

After killing the fleas, you'll still need to get them off of your dog. For a dog that has not already had a topical medicine (Frontline or similar topical flea prevention medicine) applied, good old blue Dawn dishwashing liquid works well to clean the fleas off your dog. This should not be used as a regular shampoo, however, as it can be a bit harsh on the dog's skin.

If you've had fleas on your dog, odds are they're in your house. Wash everything your dog comes in contact with--bedding, pillows, towels--in hot, soapy water if possible. For carpets and upholstery, use a steam cleaner at the hottest recommended temperature. Vacuum and clean regularly--flea eggs can remain in your carpet or furniture and hatch a couple of weeks after the initial infestation.

Get a topical flea prevention medicine, such as Frontline or Advantix. Get your veterinarian's recommendation on which medicine to use, as they are all a little different. Some simply kill fleas; others kill fleas and ticks, while others still kill and repel. Don't apply this immediately after the bath; wait at least 48 hours so the product is able to use the dog's natural body oils to work through the system.

Keep a close eye on your dog after the initial treatment. If you see signs of excessive scratching or observe fleas on him, it may be necessary to repeat some or all of the treatments to fully eliminate the fleas.