Image Source: Pixabay.com/
If you own a cat or a dog, you’re sure to experience a flea problem sooner or later. Now, when it comes to fleas, there are a dozen solutions claiming to fix the issue. Flea dips happen to be one of them. However, not many pet owners know much about flea dips, and that’s the issue that this write-up aims to address. So, let’s start by figuring out what flea dips are.
What Are Flea Dips?
Flea dips are said to have originated sometime in the 1870s. It is believed that they were used by farmers to treat sheep and cattle. The dip was used as an all-purpose solution to treat everything from fleas to ticks. At least, that’s what newspapers from that era tell us. The dip became popular among pet owners after they learned about its effectiveness on cattle and sheep. However, flea dips went through several changes over the years. Most of the stuff you get now comes with Pyrethrin, a concentrated version of Pyrethrum. Pyrethrum is a naturally processed insecticide derived from the flowers of the chrysanthemum plant. The Pyrethrin shuts down the parasite’s nervous system, which results in death. That’s how flea dips help get rid of fleas. You can buy flea dips for as little as $12, which is one of the reasons they remain a popular option for pet owners. Once you buy the dip, all you have to do is apply the dip to the pet’s fur using a sponge. The other option is to pour it over the pet’s body. The dip stays on the animal’s body and doesn’t get washed off for quite a while. This gives the Pyrethrin enough time to eliminate the fleas. So, to answer your question directly, flea dips are effective. However, you need to be careful. There are considerations to make.
Safety
There are issues concerning the safety of flea dips. In fact, some veterinarians are against their use. However, you can prevent harm from coming to your pet by administering a flea dip the right way. For starters, keep an eye on the dosage. Talk to your vet about how much flea dip needs to be administered. If you are careless, you could end up causing your pet’s death. Certain studies have shown that many pet deaths are linked to the use of Pyrethrin. Also, avoid the “more is better” approach. This is a horrible approach to follow, especially when dealing with chemicals. Follow the vet’s instructions concerning the dosage. Also, learn whether the dip is specifically concocted for cats or dogs. This is more important than you think. Cats are known to be sensitive, and a flea dip for dogs could be too strong for them.
You can find information about the techniques that are not so effective in the next section.
Household Tick and Flea Treatments That Do Not Actually Work
Fleas and ticks are a well-known problem for every pet owner. Everyone seems to have heard of some method to get rid of them, but it's not easy to differentiate real solutions from fake ones. This is doubly true if you get your advice from online sources. To help you care for your pet better, here are a few common myths busted about getting rid of fleas and ticks:
-
Myth: Keeping your pet indoors - While there is a slightly lower chance of tick infestation if you keep your pet indoors, fleas are a problem regardless. Fleas can travel through multiple means, including pant legs, shoes, clothes, etc. This means they can make themselves at home and start breeding inside your house. It only takes about 2 weeks before 2 fleas turn into 2000. It is highly recommended that preventative medication be given to your pets throughout the year.
-
Myth: Feed garlic to your pets - For some reason, many online sources suggest adding garlic to your pets' meals, either raw or in powder form, or administering it orally. The origin of this myth is unknown but it's a myth regardless. Garlic has no effect on fleas and ticks. Moreover, it can cause serious harm to your pets, especially cats. Stomach upsets, vomiting, diarrhea, and in more serious cases, anemia are all a result of excessive garlic consumption.
-
Myth: Apply orange to your pets - Many people believe that oranges and other citrus fruits repel fleas if rubbed on their pets. While oranges tend to have an effect on insects, fleas and ticks are not insects. For it to have any effect on fleas, it will have to be chemically extracted and concentrated to toxic levels that will harm your pets.
-
Myth: Human lice shampoos work on pets - The jury is still out on this solution. Sometimes, human shampoos could work, but they contain ingredients like pyrethrins that are harmful to pets. Any vet will tell you to choose shampoos that have safer compounds. While it might be tempting to save a buck, it is simpler to buy flea and tick shampoos that are specifically for pets. They will get rid of fleas without causing any skin damage or more serious illnesses.
-
Myth: Plant Fleabane in your yard - There is no proven research that repels fleas. Some say that the plant, also known as Pennyroyal, will repel fleas naturally while others claim that you have to burn it to release flea-repellent scents. Either way, this is unlikely to work as you have to plant it or burn it in very large amounts. It also does not protect the indoors where, as stated before, fleas and ticks can be present.
Flea Treatments That Work
Instead of opting for unproven flea treatment methods, you should consider the ones that have been scientifically proven to be effective.
When it comes to flea treatment for cats, you can use the Capstar for Cats flea medicine. For a spot-on treatment option, there’s the Zodiac Spot On Plus for cats.
For dog flea medicine, try the Capstar for Dogs. These dog flea pills will only kill adult fleas but will do so effectively. To kill fleas in larval and adult stages, try the PetArmor Plus spot treatment.
Never use flea meds for dogs on cats. Flea treatment for dogs is different from that of cats. Using the two interchangeably can lead to serious health issues.
You can also opt for flea prevention measures. Using the Seresto Flea Collar for Cats or the Seresto Dog Collar will allow you to keep fleas away from your pets.
Other than these, you can also use a flea shampoo for dogs or cats, alongside a flea comb. That way, you can gently remove the fleas from your pet’s coat while giving them a bath.
Flea meds are designed to treat fleas and other pests that can infest your dog or cat. They're easy to administer, and they work quickly.
Flea meds are made up of two parts: the medicine itself and a chemical carrier called an excipient. The carrier is what makes the medicine go into your pet's bloodstream—it's designed to dissolve in their blood, so it can get their body where it needs to go.
The active ingredient in these medications is an insecticide (either Pyrethrin or Permethrin) which kills adult fleas on contact. The insecticide also inhibits the growth of larvae and eggs, so as long as your pet stays on a regular treatment schedule, you can keep them free of infestation for weeks or months at a time.
What is flea and tick dip?
Flea and tick dip is a type of treatment used to control and eliminate fleas and ticks in pets, especially in dogs and cats. It is quite an effective way to get rid of these parasite infections, relieving both dogs and their owners. The dip is a liquid solution made of potent chemicals that may kill ticks, fleas, and occasionally other pests like lice or mites. The procedure gets the substance to the bugs living on the pet's body by submerging the animal in the diluted solution or dabbing it on its fur. Ingredients like pyrethrin or permethrin, which are very efficient in getting rid of these blood-sucking parasites, are typically found in flea and tick dips. These chemicals target the nervous systems of fleas and ticks, disrupting their normal functions and eventually leading to their demise. Additionally, some dips may contain ingredients that provide residual protection, preventing future infestations by repelling or killing newly hatched fleas or ticks that come into contact with the treated animal.
How long does a flea dip last on a dog?
The length of time a flea dip will be effective on a dog can vary based on a number of factors, including the exact product used, the severity of the infestation, the lifestyle and surroundings of the dog, as well as individual variances in the dog's physiology. Generally speaking, a flea dip can offer quick relief by eliminating adult fleas and ticks immediately upon contact. The duration of this initial effect can range from a few days to around two weeks. It's crucial to remember that the majority of flea dips don't provide long-term defense against fresh infestations. While the dip may eliminate the existing fleas and ticks on the dog, it may not prevent reinfestation from newly hatched eggs or adult parasites present in the environment. Additional preventative measures like spot-on treatments, oral drugs, or collars created specifically to ward off or eliminate fleas and ticks should be taken into consideration in order to ensure ongoing protection. These additional techniques frequently provide results that last longer, anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the product being used.
Does a flea dip kill eggs?
No, a flea dip will not kill flea eggs. Flea dips are specifically designed to target adult fleas and ticks present on the dog's body at the time of application. The chemicals in the dip, such as pyrethrin or permethrin, are effective at killing adult fleas and ticks on contact, but they may not penetrate or reach the flea eggs, which are typically laid in the environment, such as carpets, bedding, or cracks in the floor. Flea eggs are tiny and covered in a barrier that prevents them from coming into contact with insecticides directly. As a result, flea dips are not frequently regarded as an effective way to get rid of flea eggs. Flea dips must be used in conjunction with additional strategies that particularly target flea eggs and larvae, such as routine vacuuming, washing bedding in hot water, and employing environmental sprays or foggers intended to disrupt the flea life cycle, in order to combat flea infestations effectively.
Do vets still do flea dips?
Over time, flea dips have become less common in veterinary practice, and many doctors have switched to alternate techniques for preventing flea and tick infestations. Flea dips were previously a popular treatment method, but their use has decreased as a result of developments in flea control treatments and the availability of more convenient and targeted alternatives. Flea dips may be undesirable, time-consuming, and dangerous if improperly applied. Additionally, they could not offer durable defense against ticks and fleas. Instead, a lot of vets these days advocate and prescribe spot-on drugs, oral meds, or flea and tick collars since they provide a more practical and efficient way to prevent and cure infestations. These modern options often provide a broader spectrum of protection, including the ability to kill and repel fleas, ticks, and other parasites, and they may also target different stages of the flea life cycle.
Will soapy water kill flea eggs?
In some cases, killing flea eggs naturally and effectively can be accomplished with soapy water. Water and soap combine to form a solution that can penetrate the flea eggs' protective shell, causing them to suffocate and eventually die. When employing this technique, it's crucial to prepare a soapy water mixture by combining warm water with a moderate dishwashing liquid or soap. Spraying or pouring the soapy water combination directly onto the surfaces may help treat the damaged areas, such as pet bedding, carpets, or floor cracks. However, to maximize its effectiveness, the solution should be allowed to sit for a short while.
