How to Wash a Dog with Flea Shampoo

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Medium
15 - 30 Minutes
1 Week

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Introduction

There is nothing worse than going over your pup's skin only to find that the reason he has been scratching is that he is infested with fleas! Joey likes to play outside, which only increases his risk of flea infestation. If you are not sure, you can use a flea comb to pull out live fleas, eggs, and some flea dirt. However, to properly get rid of them, Joey is going to need a flea bath, followed by treatment. The thing to keep in mind is that when looking for a vet-approved flea shampoo, you need one that will kill the fleas at all stages. You can also make your own natural flea shampoo that does not contain an insecticide. 

Dog's Perspective

The only thing Joey knows is that he itches and needs to scratch constantly. It is driving him nuts! But until you find the fleas, there isn't much else he can do about it. No matter what shampoo you choose, be sure to check with Joey's vet to make sure it is safe to use on him and how frequently you can bathe him. 

The Read the Instructions Method

Effective
0 Votes
Slicker Brush
Shampoo
Pin Brush
Flea Comb
Step
1
Read the label
No matter what else you do, before you use any type of shampoo on Joey, be sure you read the label including the instructions and more importantly, the cautions. Even a vet-approved shampoo can be the wrong one for Joey and cause problems.
Step
2
Soak him down
Place Joey in the sink or tub and use tepid water to soak him thoroughly. Use your fingers to go over his coat while using a detachable shower head or pitcher to rinse him down. This will help remove dirt, debris, and some of the fleas. It also gives you a chance to look for ticks and injuries.
Step
3
Top down
This is important, as behind Joey's ears is one of the most common hiding places for fleas. Do not get flea shampoo in his eyes, as it can cause painful irritation. Make sure to check the rest of the areas around Joey's head to clean them thoroughly.
Step
4
Body time
Continue using the shampoo to scrub the rest of Joey's body, paying close attention to his 'underarms', legs, under his tail, around his privates, and the insides of his rear legs.
Step
5
Rinse and finish
Using the showerhead or a pitcher and your fingers, rinse Joey thoroughly to remove all traces of the shampoo. Let him air dry and then apply a topical flea preventative. This should keep him flea-free for several weeks, or all the time, as long as you remember his flea medicine.

The Natural Shampoo and Vinegar Method

Effective
0 Votes
Slicker Brush
Shampoo
Pin Brush
Flea Comb
Step
1
Make the mix
Take your pup's favorite natural shampoo and add a small amount of apple cider vinegar and lemon juice to it. The mixture will kill off the fleas at all stages of their life cycle.
Step
2
Bath time
Soak Joey down and give him a bath using the shampoo mixture you just created. Start at his neck and work your way down. Doing it this way will keep the fleas from sneaking up to his head where they can hide in his ears. Wash his entire body with the mixture and then carefully wash around his ears using a washcloth.
Step
3
Rinse thoroughly
Using a detachable shower head or a pitcher, rinse Joey thoroughly, using your fingers to separate his coat and ensure you rinse out all of the shampoo, along with dead fleas, flea eggs, and flea dirt.
Step
4
The flea comb
Go over Joey's coat with a flea comb to remove any leftover fleas, keeping the comb rinsed to remove dead fleas. Be careful that you don't snag his fur with the comb and go slowly to catch any lingering fleas.
Step
5
Rinse and repeat
You may find that you have to give Joey several 'treatments' like this before you finally get rid of all the fleas. Once you finally get rid of them, you should consider applying a topical flea treatment to help keep them at bay.

Caution & Considerations

  • Never use a shampoo intended for use on cats or humans on Joey, as many of them contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs.
  • The same applies to flea shampoos made for cats. Never use them on dogs as they can make Joey sick or worse.
  • Be sure you wash all of Joey's bedding and toys to rid them of fleas. Keep an eye on his blankets and beds after your flea treatment to make sure that the fleas do not return.
  • There are spray treatments for your carpets and furniture, so make sure you use them. If you don't, the fleas will simply hop back on Joey, starting the whole cycle all over again.
  • Since fleas lay eggs at a proliferate rate, it may take several treatments to get rid of them all.
  • While natural treatments may take longer to work than chemical ones, they are far less harmful to Joey and may help to save you money as well. 
  • If fleas are proliferating in your area, you may want to talk to your vet about flea treatments for Joey that can help act as a preventative. 

Conclusion

Fleas carry diseases that can be very harmful for Joey and can lead to significant blood loss through their many bites, causing Joey to scratch himself raw. It is your job not to let fleas become a problem by giving Joey routine flea baths. Doing this regularly will ensure that he stays happy and healthy! 

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