How To Give a Proper Flea Bath
Posted By: Stacyh; Category: Pets; November 21, 2008
Author StacyH;

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Lather, rinse, repeat is often not enough to rid a dog of those pesky little bugs. Here are some great steps to get rid of those fleas on your dog.
1
Gather your supplies before gathering the dog. You need a good flea shampoo, preferably with residual killing effect; baby oil or protective eye ointment, and of course, your water supply and towel. You might also want a slicker brush or flea comb.
2
Place a drop of oil or eye ointment in each of your dog's eyes. If the dog is uncooperative, you can drop the oil in the inside corner of a closed eye and it will usually run in. The oil or ointment coats the eye and protects it from the stinging, drying flea shampoo. (BTW, a good source for flea shampoo and opthalmic ointment online is <a href="http://www.drsfostersmith.com&quot;&gt;http://www.drsfostersmith.com&lt;/a&gt;.)
3
Start at the neck and put some shampoo at the back of the neck and quickly massage it in and around the circumference of the neck. Then work forward to the ears and face. This cuts off the escape of fleas that will hide in ears and around eyes.
4
Wet and shampoo the rest of the dog. Be fairly generous with the shampoo and work it to the skin.
5
Allow the dog to soak for at least 5 minutes. This will be uncomfortable for the dog, but up to 15 minutes is best. Fleas can sometimes be stunned or temporarily poisoned by the shampoo but not die. If you rinse too soon, they will revive and continue their bloodsucking ways.
6
Rinse thoroughly and comb to remove dead and stunned fleas.
7
Repeat flea baths up to once a week during flea season. Flea baths do not eliminate fleas, but only temporarily remove them from your dog and reduce the infestation. Other treatments are needed to completely rid your dog and home of fleas. Flea baths can be very drying and shouldn't be done too frequently or on dogs with dry or irritated skin.
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