Pet Grooming Orange County

Are Natural Flea Treatments Safe or Effective?

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Are Natural Flea Treatments Safe or Effective?

Fleas are tiny insects that live on the fur and skin of animals. Fleas feed off blood and their bites can cause intense itching and discomfort. Over time, animals can develop an allergic reaction to fleas. At the very least, fleas are a nuisance and can be extremely difficult to get rid of.

Treatment involves treating the pet as well as their environment. Fleas can hide in grass, carpeting, bedding, furniture, and other areas. These pests lie dormant, waiting for a host where they can feed and lay their eggs.

The Problem With Fleas

Fleas can feed off any animal, even humans. Their bites can cause itchy bumps on the skin, typically in runs as they hop, bite, hop, bite, etc. Affected pets may lick or scratch incessantly, causing fur loss, sores, and even infections to develop.

When your pet has fleas, you’ll likely do whatever it takes to ease their discomfort. There are several flea products available for this purpose. It’s important to note, that not all flea treatments are created equal.

Over time, fleas can become resistant to certain chemicals, making them ineffective. Products such as Advantage and Frontline are no longer able to effectively eliminate or prevent fleas.

Popular Flea Treatments

Over the counter treatments such as flea collars, spot treatments, flea dips, and shampoos have been known to cause serious, life-threatening reactions in pets. These products should never be used.

Newer treatment options available through your vet have been proven to be both safe and effective for moderate to severe flea infestations. Comfortis is one such treatment. These chewable tablets are given monthly and begin working immediately to kill fleas and prevent re-infestation.

Natural Flea Treatments

More and more people today are turning towards more natural options for themselves and their pets. A quick Internet search will provide you with several “natural” flea treatments. It’s extremely important to keep in mind that natural does not necessarily mean safe. Several natural remedies are toxic for pets and can cause serious reactions. Always check with your veterinarian before applying anything to your pet’s skin or fur.

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a safe, effective option for mild to moderate flea infestations. This powder can be applied to carpets, floors, bedding, furniture, and pets. Although DE is non-toxic, it can cause irritation to the respiratory tract.

If you are considering trying this method, it’s crucial that you use only pet-safe Diatomaceous Earth. Do not ever use “pool grade”.

Essential Oils

Many natural treatments involve the use of essential oils. These oils can be toxic and should never be used around pets, especially cats.

Claws N Paws Day Spa recommends the use of Comfortis. We also offer Seresto collars, another safe and effective treatment for fleas. Please check with your veterinarian for additional advice.

 

 

Are Fleas Becoming Resistant to Popular Flea Treatments?

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Are Fleas Becoming Resistant to Popular Flea Treatments?

We’ve seen it coming for a long time. Fleas are becoming more and more resistant to flea treatments. Veterinarians are now recommending that pet parents stay away from popular flea treatments like Frontline and Advantage. These products are no longer effective at getting rid of fleas.

It appears that these tiny insects have mutated in order to survive. The more popular the treatment, the more likely it will be ineffective at keeping fleas at bay. With the increasingly warm weather we’re experiencing in Southern California, it’s obvious our flea problems aren’t going to disappear any time soon.

Fleas continue to feed on their hosts for their entire lifecycle. During that lifecycle, they also lay hundreds of eggs. For the best control, you need to treat your pet, your home and your yard.

Flea Control in Orange County, CA

Many vets are now recommending the use of ingestible flea treatments like Comfortis. Comfortis is extremely effective at eliminating fleas on both dogs and cats.

Home treatment with Flea Busters powder is also recommended. Flea Busters powder is a safe alternative to harsh, potentially dangerous chemical flea treatments. One treatment with this highly effective powder typically lasts for several years. In fact, many people report they do not need to treat their pets after treating their home. However, it’s recommended that you use a backup method if your pet spends a lot of time outside.

Orange County Professional Pet Grooming

As an Orange County pet groomer, we’ve seen many flea products come and go. We’ve also noticed many of these products becoming ineffective. We use and recommend Comfortis and Flea Busters powder. Flea Busters powder is available in our shop and Comfortis is available through your veterinarian.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality pet grooming in Orange County, California. We have a full service salon and offer mobile grooming from our state-of-the-art mobile grooming van. Our groomers have many years of experience working with pets of all ages. Although we primarily see dogs and cats at our grooming salon, we are able to provide grooming services for a wide variety of animals. Please call 714-962-1005 to set up your next grooming appointment.

Treating Your Dog For Fleas

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Treating Your Dog For Fleas

Fleas feed off of the blood of animals, including our beloved pets. Fleas can cause a significant amount of discomfort and they can be difficult to identify. Flea bites often cause intense itching. A bad infestation can lead to hair loss and severe skin irritation. Dogs with fleas should be treated promptly in order to prevent future problems.

Identifying fleas on a dog can be difficult. Signs of fleas might be easier to spot on the dog’s belly where the fur is thinnest. Flea bites and flea feces are typically more obvious than the fleas themselves. Flea bites are red or pink welts, approximately 1/8 to ½ inch in diameter. Flea feces look like brown or black specs, similar in appearance to coffee grounds.

If your dog has fleas you will need to get rid of them and ensure they won’t return. Over the counter remedies such as flea sprays, shampoos, collars and bombs are often ineffective and can be dangerous to the health of both you and your pet. The best method for getting rid of fleas is to have your pet professionally groomed. A professional groomer knows what products to use to safely eliminate fleas from your pet. If you wish to remove fleas from your dog at home you can use a fine toothed flea comb.  Whatever method you chose, make sure that you wash any areas where your dog has been sleeping, living or playing with soap and hot water.

To avoid future problems with fleas you will need to use preventative flea medications. These might be a liquid that is applied topically, or given in pill form. Ask your groomer or veterinarian for recommendations if needed.

We hope that this information has been helpful as we strive to provide education on all aspects of pet care.

Claws N Paws Day Spa offers quality dog and cat grooming in Orange County, California. We offer some of the most effective flea treatments for pets. For more information, or to schedule a grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005.

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