Twist, turn, bend.... the words would probably draw a visual of people grooving to the beat of a peppy song but you are mistaken! This ain't about a dance routine but a problem that our beloved pets often grapple with. Dogs twisting and turning as they furiously try to scratch the 'fleas' out of their body is a common sight. Fleas are a menace and if not treated can have an adverse effect on your pooch's health. We highlight 4 ways to get rid of the flea problem:
1. Use a flea comb: "Combing" helps in keeping the fleas at bay. It also helps keep your pet tidy and well-groomed. Make sure that you buy a good quality product that not only takes care of adult fleas but also the larvae and eggs as you do not want to leave them out.
2. Wash bedding and use heat: Wash bedding and other rugs that your dog lies upon on a daily basis. You'd be surprised to find the amount of fleas that you can get rid of with regular cleaning of your canine's bedding. Drying is effective too when it comes to killing eggs, larvae and adult fleas. If the fabric can be put in a dryer, you should dry it in the electric dryer on maximum heat for best results.
3. Enhance your dog shampoo: While there are many flea specific shampoos in market, you can also turn ordinary dog shampoo into a flea shampoo at home. Add half a cup of any good dog shampoo to half a cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice and two cups of water. Pour this mixture in a bottle and use it to bathe your pet every week. For larger breeds, increase the quantities in proportion. After you bathe your pet, do not let your pet run around in grassy trails or lawns where fleas reside. Continue to comb the pet’s fur thoroughly and bag all the fleas.
4. Use apple cider vinegar to repel fleas: Add one teaspoon full of fermented apple cider vinegar to a quarter liter of water and let your dog drink this throughout the day. The apple cider vinegar keeps the skin/coat of the dogs slightly acidic which naturally repels fleas and even ticks for that matter. While it is a good idea to keep your pet’s coat slightly acidic, do not directly apply the ACV to the skin since it irritates broken skin. Consult your vet as to how much ACV your pet might safely ingest based on its body weight.
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