Fleas in Dogs

Fleas can be a real nuisance for dogs. Every dog owner shudders at the thought and often feels itchy just thinking about fleas. Fleas cause a lot of itching and visible irritation in dogs, and they can easily settle into the upholstery in the home. To effectively treat fleas, it is essential to understand what the life cycle of a flea looks like.

What are fleas?

A flea is a small, blood-sucking parasite with very powerful jumping legs. Fleas are only between 1 and 3 mm in size, but they can reproduce extremely quickly. To reproduce, fleas need blood, which they can obtain from pets (dogs, cats, rabbits), but they can also live off human blood. In the Netherlands, there are two types of fleas that are most common: the cat flea and the dog flea. The cat flea can infest all animal species as well as humans. The flea goes through various stages in its life cycle:

Egg: These are white and oval. They hatch after 2-4 days, becoming larvae. The eggs are laid in the fur but roll onto the ground. Therefore, the larvae are not found on the host animal.

Larvae: A larva is only 1 mm in size and hides in dark places (cracks and crevices). Larvae feed on, for example, the feces of adult fleas and pupate after 2-3 weeks.

Pupae: Pupae are very challenging; they are extremely resilient and can survive for up to a year. A pupa waits for the right conditions and then emerges, developing into an adult flea within 5-7 days.

Adult flea: Only adult fleas can jump, allowing them to travel long distances to a host. Within 48 hours of emerging, an adult flea takes its first meal. After feeding on blood, the female can immediately lay eggs and is fertile for 10-14 days. During this period, the female lays 10-20 eggs per day. Therefore, a flea infestation can develop very quickly!

How to Tackle Fleas in Dogs

Dogs exhibit several symptoms that indicate they have fleas. For instance, the dog may show visible itching, scratching more frequently, and even biting at its coat. There may also be skin irritations and even hair loss. Did you know that a dog can get tapeworms from fleas? When dealing with fleas, it is important to treat both the dog and the environment. There are various products available on the market for treating fleas in dogs, including both chemical and natural options. These include drops and flea collars, as well as tablets and injections available from the veterinarian. A downside of chemical treatments is that they can negatively affect the dog's immune system. Fleas can also be addressed naturally; a flea comb is a well-known tool, but there are also herbal-based supplements (such as fenugreek, brewer's yeast, sepiolite, thyme, echinacea, turmeric, astragalus, citronellol, and citronellal). The purpose of these natural supplements is to make the blood indigestible for fleas, preventing them from reproducing. Administer these products daily through the dog's food for at least 6 weeks to ensure all stages of the flea lifecycle are addressed. Continue giving these products even if the dog is staying at a kennel.

Don't forget to clean the environment!

The eggs, larvae, and pupae do not live on the dog but are hidden in the environment, waiting for the right moment. Therefore, don't forget to keep the environment clean: vacuum daily and thoroughly. Wash all materials that the dog comes into contact with at the highest possible temperature. If necessary, use a steam cleaner for materials that cannot be washed. Wash blankets/beds before you go on vacation and immediately afterward! During the time in between, eggs will also hatch. Due to laws and regulations, we cannot mention which product this refers to. For any questions, feel free to contact us.