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Fleas
Types of flea treatment
What flea treatment is safe for pregnant dogs?
What to avoid
How to prevent fleas
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Can my pregnant dog use flea treatment?
- By Sarah
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- October 11, 2024
- 5 MIN READ
If you've ever had the unfortunate experience of your dog picking up fleas, you'll know it's no fun at all. Not only do these tiny pests cause endless irritation for your dog, but they can also spread diseases and infest your home. Now, when your dog is expecting puppies, you might naturally have concerns about how to deal with fleas during her pregnancy. Is it safe to use flea treatment on a pregnant dog? Which treatments should you avoid, and how can you keep those pesky parasites at bay? Carry on reading to find out.
Fleas
First off, what exactly are fleas, and why should you be so worried about them? Fleas are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of animals, including dogs. They're incredibly quick and can leap great distances, which makes them quite hard to catch and even harder to get rid of once they infest your home. A single flea can bite your dog up to 400 times a day—no wonder they cause so much discomfort!*
Aside from making your dog itch, fleas can lead to more serious issues. They can cause flea allergy dermatitis, a condition where your dog develops an allergic reaction to flea saliva, resulting in severe itching, redness, and scabbing. In some cases, fleas can transmit tapeworms and bacterial infections, posing an even greater risk.
When your dog is pregnant, her immune system is already under strain, and the last thing she needs is a flea infestation adding to her discomfort. Worse still, if the fleas multiply, they could end up feeding on her puppies after they're born. Therefore, it's essential to deal with the problem quickly and effectively. But, with a pregnant dog, you have to tread carefully. Not all flea treatments are safe during pregnancy.
Types of flea treatment
These days, there are many different flea treatments available, but they generally fall into a few categories:
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Spot-on treatment – These are topical medications that you apply directly to your dog’s skin, usually on the back of their neck., like the Itch Flea treatment for dogs. They work by spreading across your dog’s skin and coat, killing fleas on contact or when they bite.
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Oral treatments – These are tablets that your dog swallows. Once in the bloodstream, they kill fleas when the pests bite your dog. These treatments tend to work very quickly and are often favoured for their convenience.
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Flea collars – Flea collars release a substance that kills or repels fleas. While some collars can last for several months, they are usually not as effective as spot-ons or oral treatments, especially if your dog is already infested.
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Flea shampoos – A more traditional method, flea shampoos are used during bath time to wash fleas off your dog. They can be effective for immediate relief but don’t offer long-term protection.
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Home treatments – Flea bombs, sprays, and powders can be used to treat your home. These don’t treat your dog directly but help eliminate fleas from her bedding, carpet, and furniture. The Itch Flea Home Spray: flea spray for house, kills all adult fleas for up to 2 months after one blast, and halts the development of flea eggs and larvae for up to 12 months afterwards.
While these treatments can be highly effective, not all of them are safe for pregnant dogs. So, what should you do if your pregnant dog is suffering from fleas?
What flea treatment is safe for pregnant dogs?
Spot-on treatment is the safest form of flea treatment to use on pregnant dogs. This is because the treatment doesn’t enter the bloodstream so it is considered suitable for pregnant and lactating dogs.
We would recommend a spot-on flea treatment with the ingredients Fipronil and S-methoprene. Fipronil kills fleas by attacking their nervous system, causing hyperactivity and then death. S-methoprene prevents flea pupae and larvae from growing into breeding adults. It also kills flea eggs! This double action will not only kill any fleas infesting your dog, but prevent future infestation.
While spot-on treatments are generally considered safe, it's always best to check the treatment you plan to use is safe for pregnant dogs, and if you can’t find this information, contact your vet. Every dog is different, and if you have concerns your vet will be able to recommend the most appropriate and safe treatment based on your dog’s health, breed, and pregnancy stage.
Itch Flea is safe for pregnant and lactating dogs
Fast-acting Itch Flea treatment for dogs is vet approved and scientifically proven to protect your pooch and your home from fleas. The double action spot-on flea treatment kills adult fleas within 24 hours, halts all other flea life stages in their tracks and stops any new fleas tormenting your dog. Plus it also kills ticks and lice.
Itch Flea is suitable for pregnant and lactating dogs, for adult dogs and puppies 8 weeks or older.
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What to avoid
On the flip side, some treatments should be avoided during pregnancy. These include:
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Flea collars - Unless your vet specifically recommends one, avoid flea collars on pregnant dogs as many contain chemicals that may not be suitable.
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Flea treatment with Fluralaner – Whilst flea treatments that include the active ingredient, fluralaner are scientifically proven to kill fleas, they do have a high risk of causing bad side effects to your pet. In some cases this has proved fatal too.
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Oral flea treatments with Isoxazoline – These are not typically recommended for pregnant or nursing dogs.
How to prevent fleas
Once you’ve dealt with the immediate flea problem, you’ll want to make sure your dog stays flea-free, especially while she’s pregnant. Flea prevention is the best form of treatment, and there are several steps you can take to stop fleas from coming back.
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Treat all pets in your household
If you have other dogs or cats in the household, make sure they’re treated for fleas as well. Fleas are more than happy to jump from one pet to another, and if one of your animals is carrying fleas, it won’t be long before the others are too.
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Protect your home
Did you know 95% of fleas live in your home environment, not on your pet? Consider treating your home with a fast acting spray, like the Itch Flea House Spray.
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Regular grooming
Keeping your dog clean and regularly brushed helps to spot fleas early on. If your pregnant dog enjoys baths, consider using a mild flea shampoo as an additional precaution (but always check the ingredients with your vet).
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Keep your home clean
Fleas can’t survive for long without a host, but they can lurk in your home for a while. Regularly hoovering your carpets, washing your dog’s bedding (and your own too), and cleaning soft furnishings will help prevent fleas from setting up camp in your house.
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Outdoor areas
If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, particularly in grassy areas, it's a good idea to regularly treat your garden for fleas. You can use pet-safe outdoor sprays to kill fleas, or invest in plants that deter the little blighters away.
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Vet check-ups
Regular visits to your vet can help ensure that your dog remains flea-free. If your dog is pregnant, it’s even more important to have her checked by a vet, as they can monitor her health and make sure she’s receiving the best care, including flea prevention.
Tackling fleas with your pregnant dog doesn’t need to be anymore of a challenge, if you choose safe and effective flea treatment. Always chat to your vet if you have any concerns before purchasing or applying flea treatment. We understand how important it is to keep your dog and future pups safe, for expert support, contact our friendly Vet Team who are trained in veterinary medicine advice.
Where we got the facts from:
*2024. The Pet Vet. Source: https://www.thepetvet.co.uk/pet-advice/flea-facts#:~:text=The%20female%20flea%20can%20also,pet%20has%20just%2010%20fleas!
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