Ensuring your dog or cat is up-to-date on their flea treatment is essential to providing responsible pet care. Flea bites can cause dermatitis, leaving animals with itchy, red skin and scabs after scratching. This helpful guide highlights the general schedule for treatment and prevention of fleas.

A Guide to Flea Treatment Pet Care

How Often to Apply Flea Medicine?

Depending on your location, fleas may pose a problem all year. Warmer climates, such as those in Florida, provide a ripe breeding ground for fleas, so it’s important to keep your pet protected. The blood-sucking parasites thrive in temperatures as low as 65 degrees and as high as 85 degrees under high humidity. Even when temperatures cool down during the rainy season, pets that spend a lot of time outdoors should be treated regularly.

During warm or rainy weather, flea medicine should be applied at least once per month if you’re using a spot treatment product. A monthly spot application will eliminate existing fleas while repelling potential infestations. If you prefer a treatment that lasts longer, you should opt for a flea collar that will last for at least eight months. Additionally, flea sprays can kill bugs for a week while it repels eggs for up to 30 days.

How the Application Works

Typically, you should bathe your pet before applying the flea medicine, then allow the animal’s coat to dry completely before applying. Flea medicine is waterproof after 24 to 48, so it’s safe for pets to bathe, and swim in lakes or pools after the recommended waiting period. Remember to wear gloves and protect your skin during the application process. Wash your hands thoroughly after using topical flea treatment products during pet care.

Keep your dog or cat happy and protected against fleas all year. Stop by the Farmers Cooperative in Live Oak, FL, to purchase pet care products for your furry friend. The local hardware store is your one-stop shop for animal feed, hunting apparel, gardening tools, and agricultural products to meet all your outdoor needs. Visit their website to shop online or call (386) 362-1459 if you have any questions about their products and services.