Fleas happen. It is a fact of life for any pet owner. You are not a bad pet parent if your dog gets fleas, but knowing what kills fleas on dogs instantly can be beneficial. Some remedies are quick and easy, while others are more hands-on and labor-intensive.
After using any product that kills fleas on dogs instantly, using an appropriate maintenance deterrent is equally important. Wading through all the products on the market can be daunting, but knowing the facts can make it an easy choice.
Commercial Products from Your Veterinarian
You should always seek the recommendations of a veterinarian before starting any flea control program. They are trained to help you keep your pet safe and healthy and will help you develop a flea treatment program. Treatment plans usually include an initial treatment to kill existing fleas, followed by a regimen to keep fleas from bothering your dog.
The most common product used to kill fleas on dogs instantly is Nitenpyram, more commonly known as Capstar. This single-use tablet is administered orally and kills fleas within 30 minutes. It is recommended that you contain your pet in a small area when using Capstar. A sheet or blanket your pet can lay on will catch the fleas as they drop off making cleanup easier. Capstar is very effective and available from your vet or without a prescriptionat many online pet supply outlets.
Your vet may recommend bathing with special flea shampoos, which will also kill fleas instantly. A good bath is followed by combing with specially designed flea combs to remove any remaining eggs. Also available from your vet is lufenuron, which is an insect development inhibitor. Given monthly in pill form it does not kill adult fleas, but does prevent reproduction.
Natural and Over-the-Counter Products for Maintenance
Following a flea treatment, your dog will need a maintenance product to keep the fleas away. These might include collars, drops, powders, shampoos, or a combination.
Many pet owners select natural options for this task. Products such as vitamin B, brewer’s yeast, and garlic have not been tested for effectiveness. If you do opt for natural deterrents, be aware that your results may not live up to claims you see on the internet.
Flea drops are applied directly to your pet’s skin. Through natural movement, the active ingredients are dispersed to maintain effectiveness. Most drops are good to kill adult ticks and fleas and include a development inhibitor to prohibit eggs and larvae from developing. Spot-On Bug Off contains Permethrin and Pyriproxyfen, which effectively control fleas.
If you find it difficult to work with drops, you may opt for a flea collar for your pet. The rated effectiveness of collars varies from 30 days up to one year, depending on the manufacturer and active ingredients. Collar-Me-Tickless is a good example of a mid-range product, providing up to six months of active protection for your best friend.
Continued Protection for Your Pet
Whether you have a major flea problem or a minor one, treating it promptly will keep both you and your pet happier and healthier. Follow the instructions from your veterinarian and product usage guidelines. Your pet depends on you.
FAQs
The closest pet owners can get to immediate flea relief is by treating their pets with Nitenpyram. Common brands of Nitenpyram include Capstar® and Bestguard® which can be purchased through a veterinarian, online, and over the counter.
What kills 100% of fleas? ›
Choose an insecticide that contains both an adulticide (kills adult fleas), such as permethrin, and an insect growth regulator (kills the eggs, larvae, and pupae), such as methoprene or pyriproxyfen. People and pets shouldn't come into contact with an insecticide or chemical treatment until it has dried.
What is the number one thing to kill fleas? ›
Some of the best ways to get rid of fleas at home include cleaning bedding, vacuuming regularly, using flea treatments on pets, and wiping down floors and skirting boards to help destroy fleas at each stage of their lifecycle.
What do fleas hate the most? ›
Citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, and rosemary will all naturally repel fleas. If your dog doesn't mind a spray bottle, dilute a few drops of your chosen essential oil into a 300ml-400ml of water and spray directly onto your dog's coat.
What is the best homemade flea killer for dogs? ›
Combine 1 quart of water, 1 cup of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, and 1 cup of baby shampoo or liquid dish soap. Use this mixture to bathe your dog once or twice a month. Vinegar kills fleas and ticks on contact and can prevent future infestations.
Can I put baking soda on my dog to kill fleas? ›
Yes! Baking Soda Can Kill Fleas When Used with Salt.
Baking soda dehydrates and kills flea larvae and eggs, preventing the outbreak from growing out of control. However, baking soda can't do it alone, and the addition might already be in your home and is safe for kids and pets: table salt.
What can I rub on my dog for fleas? ›
Lavender or cedar oil naturally repels fleas, but be sure to test them with your dog before using them on anything that goes around their neck. “Some essential oils have flea and tick-repellent qualities (such as cedar) — other essential oils are toxic to pets opens in a new tab ,” Dr. Kangas says.
What kills fleas in yard? ›
Flood the yard with water.
They simply cannot survive a flooded yard. This will kill the entire life cycle of fleas, which includes their eggs and larvae. Flooding your yard also removes any feces left behind from adult fleas. To make this most effective, cut your grass really low before your flood your lawn.
What kills all fleas and eggs? ›
Many different products are available for home flea treatment. The most effective ones contain ingredients such as permethrin, imidacloprid, or dinotefuran that are lethal to the biting adult stage, and an “insect growth regulator” (e.g., methoprene, pyriproxyfen) that halts development of flea eggs and larvae.
What is the fastest flea killer? ›
CAPSTAR® (nitenpyram) oral flea tablets start killing fleas in just 30 minutes.
The following are the best flea home remedies for fleas:
- Flea remedy #1: Salt. ...
- Flea remedy #2: Baking soda. ...
- Flea remedy #3: Lemon spray. ...
- Flea remedy #4: Diatomaceous Earth. ...
- Flea remedy #5: Cedar oil. ...
- Flea remedy #6: Dish soap. ...
- Flea remedy #7: Rosemary. ...
- Flea remedy #8: Lavender.
Fleas are parasitic insects that live off the blood of animals and people. They can't bite through most articles of clothing. You can avoid their itchy bites by protecting your skin and by using repellents on your bare skin or directly on items of clothing.
What lotion do fleas hate? ›
You can use some natural flea repellents, including some essential oils, as flea repellents placed directly on skin. A small-scale human study found that thyme oil and myrtle oil were more repellent against fleas on people than either permethrin or DEET.
What eats fleas in yard? ›
Nematodes: These guys are small worms that feed off flea larvae. They are super effective and you should see an improvement in your flea population in only two days.
Can I spray rubbing alcohol on my dog to kill fleas? ›
You shouldn't spray or pour isopropyl alcohol onto your pet's fur or skin in an attempt to kill fleas. This toxic chemical is easily absorbed through the skin, and in large enough amounts it's poisonous to pets.
Will vinegar kill fleas on dogs? ›
Apple cider vinegar can't kill fleas, but it can help to repel them. Fleas don't like the smell or taste of it, so they're likely to avoid your pet if they have it on their fur. Dilute apple cider vinegar in water and add it to a spray bottle.
How does Dawn dish soap kill fleas on dogs? ›
Fleas have exoskeletons that allow them to float in water, explains Dr. Reeder. “Dawn (and other soaps like it) creates a kind of surfactant, or surface tension, that will compromise the exoskeleton and make adult fleas sink,” he says. So essentially, the soap drowns the fleas.
