Experts say the only truly effective way to keep fleas off a dog or cat is with a topical or oral medication. Flea collars are generally described as ineffective, while flea shampoos provide only immediate relief by killing adult fleas on the pet. They won't prevent the dog or cat from picking up more fleas from around your home or eggs that hatch. Several vets specifically caution against using flea "dips," which they say are harmful to pets and the environment.

Experts give the following advice for safely using flea control topical treatments and oral medications:

  • Talk to your vet before purchasing a flea control treatment. Your vet may have specific recommendations for products he or she thinks are the most appropriate. This is especially important in the case of pets that are weak, older, medicated, sick, pregnant or nursing, or that have previously experienced an adverse reaction to a flea control treatment. Additionally, some products are not suitable for puppies and kittens.
  • Buy your flea remedies from your vet or from a reputable retailer. Many products sold online, and sometimes even in stores, are counterfeits that may be ineffective or harmful to pets.
  • Know your pet's weight. All flea control treatments are packaged according to the pet's weight. Don't try to guess your pet's weight or buy the wrong dosage because it's cheaper.
  • Follow the application instructions exactly. Even if you have used the product before, review the directions to make sure they haven't changed. Many reported illnesses in cats and dogs from flea control products are due to misuse.
  • Never use flea control treatments designed for dogs on your cat, or vice versa. Permethrin, a pesticide found in some topical dog treatments, is likely to be lethal to cats.
  • Monitor the pet for signs of an adverse reaction. Unusual reactions may include skin irritation or redness, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, trembling, depression or seizures. If these symptoms appear, immediately bathe the dog or cat in mild soap and rise with large amounts of water (unless the label states otherwise). Contact your veterinarian about the incident.
  • Don't reapply monthly topical treatments within 30 days, even if fleas re-emerge. Contact your vet for advice.

If you aren't using a topical or oral flea-control product with an insect growth regulator (IGR), your pet will likely become re-infested in a few weeks unless you take action around the home and yard. You can begin by vacuuming your carpet daily and cleaning floors (including along baseboards) and furniture that your pet comes in contact with to remove eggs and larvae. Seal the vacuum bag in a trash bag and discard it in an outside trash can. Steam-cleaning floors and other surfaces is also an effective method of killing fleas and their eggs. If bedding cannot be vacuumed or steam cleaned, wash it in hot soapy water every week. If an infestation is bad enough, bedding may need to be discarded.

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