However, before using a dog flea powder, it’s important to understand about dogs and fleas.
why flea bites cause such itching?
For example, if you’ve ever wondered why flea bites cause such itching, here’s the answer. When a flea bites your dog, it deposits a tiny bit of its saliva into your dog’s skin. This saliva causes an allergic reaction that results in the itching and swelling that can make your dog miserable.
Here’s more bad news – a single flea can bite your dog several hundred times in the course of one day. This means dozens of different places where your dog will be itching and scratching. For that matter, one female flea can lay up to 200 eggs per day and these eggs may lay dormant for a year. So, if you don’t get control over those pesky insects, immediately, it is likely that your home will also suffer a flea infestation.
How can you tell if your dog has fleas?
Dogs scratch themselves for many reasons. However, if the dog is scratching itself almost obsessively, this is a sign that it may have fleas.
Beyond that, you can look for flea feces. These will be small, brown specks. If you pick up one of these and rub it between your fingers – with a little water, and it turns red, you will know that your dog has fleas. This is because the flea feces always contain blood.
How to get rid of fleas on dog byDog Flea Powders?
The advantage of using a dog flea powder is that it is easy to administer. You simply dust your dog with it. Plus, you can use it to eradicate fleas in other areas around your house where the dog spends its time – for example, in its bed.
There are a number of different flea powders available – including all-natural powders. Here are some of the most popular dog flea powders.
Hartz Ultraguard Flea and Tick Powder for Dogs
This product is a water-resistant powder that effectively kills fleas, ticks and flies for up to seven days. It can be used with puppies that are 12 weeks of age or older.
To apply Hartz UltraGuard Flea and Tick Powder, you need to dust the entire dog beginning at its head and working back down to its tail. Make sure the powder gets down to its skin. Don’t forget to treat the dog’s feet and legs. The recommended dosage is about ½ ounce of powder for a small dog, 1 ounce for a medium-sized dog, and about 1 ¼ ounces for a large dog.
Amazing Animals – Dog Flea Powder
This product contains a natural insecticide, which is biodegradable, and helps control scratching caused by flea infestation. Its manufacturer says that Amazing Animals Dog Flea Powder also kills lice, mites, and so forth. Amazing Animals Dog Flea Powder is perfumed to leave your dog smelling fresh and good. It is for dogs and puppies over 12 weeks of age
Dog Flea Powders For The Home
There is also a dog flea powder that you can use in your home. It is called Fleabusters® Rx for Fleas Plus® Flea Powder. The maker of this powder says that it is the same flea powder that Fleabusters has been using professionally for more than 20 years. In this case, it is available for you to do it yourself in your home. The 3-pound canister will coverage five average sized rooms and the product comes with a one-year guarantee.
Natural Dog Flea Powder
If you don’t feel like exposing your dog to harsh chemicals, there are also some all-natural dog flea powders including:
NaturVet Herbal Flea Powder
The manufacturer of this product says that it is an effective natural alternative to synthetic pesticides or pesticide powders for dogs. It is also said to be safe for puppies and kittens that are six weeks of age or older. Finally, this herbal powder leaves a pleasant fragrance wall and helps protect your dog.
Only Natural Pet All-in-One Flea Remedy
This natural flea powder is said to safely eliminate fleas on your pets in your homes. It is both non-toxic and chemical free.
Earth Animal Internal Flea and Tick Powder
This flea powder, which is also available as tablets, is a special blend of dark brewers yeast, garlic, B vitamins, special nutrients and minerals that are said to work together synergistically to rid your dog of these noxious pests. The powder, which is taken orally, produces an odor that is undetectable to us humans but that is loathed by fleas and ticks, mosquitoes and flies. It has no insecticides, chemical preservatives, salt or sugar and all of its ingredients are human food grade.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Dog Flea Powder
The advantages of a dog flea powder are twofold. First, they are inexpensive. As you can see some flea powders can be purchased for as little as $3.74. Second, they are relatively easy to apply. All you need to do is dust the dog and then rub the powder down to its skin.
-The biggest disadvantage of these dog flea powders is that they must be reapplied as frequently as every seven days. This is because that while they do a reasonably effective job of killing adult fleas, they will not keep the dog from becoming re-infected.
How to get rid of fleas on dog?
Also, there is other dog flea treatment which is much more effective than dog flea powders because they not only kill adult fleas, they kill the flea eggs as well.
For example, there are now dog flea medicines that you apply topically or give to the dog orally. Additionally, there are dog flea sprays and shampoos available that are often more effective for killing fleas and the powders.
The bottom line is that if your dog does become flea infested, getting rid of the fleas is not a complicated procedure. Just use dog flea powder on a regular basis throughout the flea and tick season and your dog will thank you.