Dogs are constantly at risk of being infected with ectoparasites, which include fleas; this problem is especially acute for pet owners in the summer and spring.
Blood-sucking insects not only cause a lot of discomfort to dogs and their owners, but can also cause dangerous diseases. For example, flea saliva contains aggressive substances that, when bitten, enter the bloodstream and cause allergic dermatitis, toxocariasis, and dipylidia, which causes digestive disorders, in pets.
Fleas must be dealt with mercilessly and immediately, especially since the pet market offers a wide selection of various means of protecting pets from ectoparasites, which include shampoos.
The basic principle of action of shampoo
Flea shampoos
Today, breeders have bred many different breeds of dogs: some are large, others are very tiny, some have long hair, while others have short hair, some have no hair at all, allowing people who are allergic to wool to have a four-legged friend. Therefore, for each dog it is necessary to select an individual means of protection against parasites, taking into account its size and lifestyle.
Owners whose pets walk outside every day and come into contact with other dogs can become infected with fleas, ticks, and lice very quickly. Here it will not be enough to use shampoo for dogs against fleas and ticks; you will need to use additional protective equipment:
- Flea collars;
- Flea drops.
But small, decorative dogs that very rarely come into contact with animals, are carried in arms, are accustomed to the house toilet, for them, for preventive purposes, it will be enough to use one shampoo.
On a note!
Small puppies are not allowed to use strong products, so they are bathed only with special anti-flea products.
During use, a persistent soap foam is formed, which effectively cleanses the skin and fur of the animal. When a flea gets into the foam, it loses its ability to move. When washed off, not only parasites are removed, but also their larvae and eggs. Shampoo for dogs against fleas and ticks contains active substances that destroy cell membranes, subsequently they begin to lose moisture and die. These include phenothrin, fenproxin, permethrin, which does not penetrate the skin and does not enter the circulatory system, but is effective for a long time.
How to bathe a dog correctly?
Bathing technique should be treated with no less attention than the choice of shampoo. You must choose a special basin for bathing. It is best to glue non-slip rubber to its outer surface, where the bottom is located.
Instructions:
- This will prevent the basin from sliding on the surface of the bathroom or tile on which you place this container. You need to fill a basin with slightly warm water and place your pet there. Please note that it is best to teach your dog to bathe from a very young age.
- Gradually extend the duration of the procedure. At the very beginning, keep the bathing short; you don’t even need to use shampoo, but simply lightly wet the dog’s paws by putting just a little water in the container.
- Gradually increase the amount of water in the container and add shampoo. If you notice that your dog bites, it is recommended to bathe with a muzzle. This will protect you from being bitten. If the dog does not bite, but is unhappy with the bath, may growl, become angry and angry, just encourage your dog and praise him. Say that he is very good and can withstand bathing.
- Once you have some water in the bowl, use a shower head or a ladle to pour a small amount of liquid onto your dog's coat to wet the entire coat. If the dog is trained, you can order it to lie down in the basin so that its stomach and lower body get wet.
- Next, start applying shampoo. There is no need to rub it in different directions; it is best to apply the product on your palms, smear between them, and apply in the direction from the withers to the tail. That is, in the direction of hair growth. Do this several times, no need to scratch or rub the dog too much. After the shampoo has been on the coat for 2 minutes, you need to rinse it off under a stream of water.
- After rinsing off the shampoo, there is no need to apply detergent to the ears and muzzle. Be careful not to get shampoo in your eyes, ears, or mouth. After completing the bath, close the curtain, empty the water from the basin, and allow the dog to shake itself off.
- Next, take a few old towels and blot your dog’s fur, starting from the withers to the tail.
Bathing a dog
How to use flea shampoo
Shampoos for fleas on dogs
Flea shampoos for dogs are divided according to the principle of action into therapeutic (post-temporary) and prophylactic (preventive). Before use, carefully read the instructions, it tells you how much product you will need to take, taking into account the weight of the dog to achieve the maximum effect of getting rid of fleas.
How to properly wash your dog using flea shampoo:
- Before bathing, you need to brush your dog well with a fine brush, this will get rid of a certain number of parasite eggs. If there are pieces of matted fur, they need to be cut off, otherwise all the fleas and larvae will not be washed out, and bathing will not bring any benefit.
- Place the dog in the bath. If your pet is not afraid of running water, rinse it in the shower. Take the specified amount of product, apply to the animal’s body, and lather well. Wash your hair carefully, making sure that water does not get into the animal’s ears or mouth, otherwise it can cause serious poisoning. When the dog does not enjoy bathing, it is better to whip up the foam in a separate basin and quickly distribute it over it.
- Rinse off all foam thoroughly. Blot excess water with a towel.
When your dog often has skin problems, such as flaking, redness, or itching, ask your veterinarian which shampoo will not aggravate the skin condition. The most common cause of irritation is essential oils that are included in various animal hair care products.
How and with what to wash a dog’s white fur and paws?
Please note that after a walk outside, there is no need to bathe the dog every time. But you need to wash your paws. There are also special lines for washing paws for this purpose. Among them we can highlight Four Paws . If your dog suffers from dog odor, it is worth purchasing a special deodorizing shampoo. If your dog does not like to bathe and is very wary of water, it makes sense to purchase dry shampoo.
Bathing in the shower
This product will be useful for those people who have dogs with white hair. Light-colored wool gets very dirty, but it cannot be washed often. But you can refresh and remove any remaining dirt using dry shampoo. It is applied like powder, rubbed into the coat, and after that the dog is combed out. Due to the fact that there is an absorber inside the particles, these dust particles absorb all the dirt that can be combed out with a regular brush.
If your dog has white fur, you need to purchase a separate shampoo for it that contains bleaching agents and a kind of optical brightener. This helps to visually improve the color of the coat, get rid of yellowness, and also remove dirt. If you have small puppies, then you should buy special shampoos for them. They contain a minimal amount of harmful components and help to carefully clean delicate and soft fur without damaging the thin skin.
Blow drying
Pros and cons of anti-flea shampoos
Like all products aimed at fighting parasites, shampoo also has a number of its own advantages and disadvantages.
Positive sides:
- the softest and most gentle way to get rid of insects;
- can be used for the smallest puppies;
- improves the condition of the coat;
- removes fleas, ticks, lice eaters.
Negative sides:
- short-term therapeutic, preventive effect;
- with frequent use, it can cause irritation, dryness, and redness of the skin.
Popular flea shampoos
Flea shampoos
The action of the shampoo is aimed at ridding the animal of ticks, fleas, lice-eaters, parasites, and preventing their reappearance. Preventive and therapeutic shampoos are produced, but there are no special differences between them.
List of the most popular and effective flea shampoos:
- Leopard. Good flea shampoo, suitable for dogs, cats, puppies. The composition includes cloves, costus, pelargonium, lavender oil, sorbitol, glycerin. A universal remedy that will help your pet get rid of parasites. If the dosage is observed, it does not cause adverse reactions.
- Dana . Produced in two release forms: for adult dogs and puppies. The active ingredient is permethrin. One application is enough to remove fleas. To prevent re-infection, you need to treat carpets and furniture in the room where the dog lives. Heals wounds well, fights dandruff, fleas, ticks. It is forbidden to use by pregnant or sick animals. Eliminates unpleasant odor.
- Bim shampoo contains only plant extracts. Has a beneficial effect on the skin and coat. The result lasts for a long time.
- Phytoelite . The composition includes herbal extracts, permethrin. Do not use on puppies under two months of age
- Mister Bruno – the best flea shampoo for dogs. They are used both to get rid of and to prevent the appearance of fleas. Hypoallergenic, does not contain harmful substances or preservatives.
Flea shampoos - Doctor Zoo - flea shampoo for puppies from two weeks of age. The composition includes oil of thyme, chamomile, bergamot, red pepper.
- Lugovoy. Contains herbal extract (plantain, burdock, dandelion, chamomile, St. John's wort, calendula, thyme) and permethrin. An effective shampoo for breeds with long and coarse hair. Do not use on pregnant animals or animals under 12 months of age. 95% of all reviews indicate the high effectiveness of the shampoo.
- Beaphar is produced in Holland. Can be used for small puppies, thanks to its gentle but effective composition.
- Celandine . Contains permethrin 0.4%. It is a prophylactic agent.
If you are faced with the choice of how to choose a flea shampoo for dogs, reviews from customers who have tested it on their animals will help you decide on the right product.
When a loving owner fails to prevent the appearance of fleas in dogs, first bathe it with shampoo, and then use more drastic means to achieve a lasting effect. Do you doubt the right choice? Then consult your veterinarian, because it is impossible to keep up with all the new flea products.
After using shampoo, do not forget to comb the animal’s fur well, treat the room, and give anthelmintic medicine. Bathe your pet regularly to prevent fleas and ticks.
Anti-flea shampoos for dogs
"Mr. Bruno"
A good product of Swiss quality, insecticidal (0.5% permethrin), hypoallergenic, as it contains only useful components. The protective effect lasts up to 14 days. Not applicable for puppies under one month old, lactating or infected animals. To avoid overdose, it is not recommended to use it with other drugs of the same class.
"Leopard"
Consists of natural ingredients: decoctions of cloves, cactus, pelargonium; lavender oil, sorbitol, glycerin. Has antimicrobial and antiparasitic effects. Used as a repellent and medicine. Contraindicated in animals with individual hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
"Gamma"
A synthetic insecticide based on permethrin. Contains additional components that accelerate wound healing and improve skin condition. Destroys fleas and lice eaters.
Regarding use for pregnant women and females during lactation, you should consult your veterinarian. Protective effect is about 10 days.
Shampoo “Gamma”.
“Lugovoy”
The combined product contains deltamethrin and extracts of coltsfoot, burdock, plantain, calendula, dandelion, chamomile, St. John's wort, and thyme. Suitable for long-haired and hard-haired breeds. It is forbidden to use by lactating, pregnant and weakened animals. There is an age limit of up to one year.
