Ok to give dogs a flea bath? UPDATE!

mooncusp22 · September 2013

I discovered that my two dogs seem to have fleas... ughhh My husband is away so I am the only one around- is it safe to give the bath to the dogs? I don't see any warnings on bottle, just to not give a flea bath to a pregnant dog but nothing about a pregnant person giving the bath. Though I am guessing if a pregnant dog shouldn't get one I shouldn't give one...?

thanks!

UPDATE: I gave them a topical gel last night (avoided getting it on my hands and washed well afterward and spent the rest of the evening in the bedroom so I wouldn't come in contact with the gel while it dried). Anyway, just checked them both and still see the creepy crawlies!! This is a nightmare! Neither have ever had fleas before.... Going to Petsmart in a few to have them give them the bath. I washed all the blankets, bed sheets (they don't go into the bedrooms anyway), and vacummed the area rug in the den (everything else is wood floors). They hang out the most on the den couches, which are all leather, I wiped them down. Anything else I can do? I want to bomb the house- not sure if that is safe??

boxerbabylove · September 2013

I would definitely not do a flea bath pregnant. The chemical are designed to be absorbed through the skin and there have been a lot of dog poisoning from certain brands. Error on the side of caution. If the dog needs a flea bath take it to a groomer.

Rrrrrachel · September 2013

Yeah I wouldn't.

mooncusp22 · September 2013

Thanks, I guess I should not. At Whole Foods they have a spray flea killer... think that will be safe for the time being?

Rrrrrachel · September 2013

Yeah a bath with soap will get rid of the immediate problem. There are also flea medications the dog can take orally like comfortis or another one I can't remember right now that's shorter acting.

RedDawnsRevenge · September 2013

Avon skin so soft bath oil kills fleas... Literally coats them so they can breath. Only works on short coated dogs like weinnies, was no use on my Saint Bernard, good thing fleas hated him.

CandaceMarie321 · September 2013

I always avoid coming into contact with anything created to chemically kill things while pregnant. If the dogs really need a flea bath use gloves. We've had some good luck using water & vinegar (50/50) as a flea repellant: but it needs to go on twice a day. I also read to boil water with lemons, let it set overnight, then spray on as needed to kill the fleas. I haven't tried it yet though. GOOD LUCK!

mooncusp22 · September 2013

Thanks all! I wound up putting the monthly liquid gel on each of them. Said it kills fleas in 15min. Will wait until DH cones home so he can give them a bath.

thomas930 · September 2013

mooncusp22 said:

Thanks all! I wound up putting the monthly liquid gel on each of them. Said it kills fleas in 15min. Will wait until DH cones home so he can give them a bath.

If you put a topical flea med on then you really should avoid bathing the dogs, you'll just end up washing it off and it wont be as effective.

JessSSutton · September 2013

I am a vet tech and would recommend keeping your dogs on a monthly flea preventative. If you want to avoid topical treatment your vet can sell you oral preventions that work great! I would vacuum your home and wash the dogs bedding. Also, if you use a home pesticide service they can come and spray your home and you can have your lawn treated as well. Using dawn is not effective and most vets have moved away entirely from any kind of flea baths. I would also caution you against buying flea products at Walmart it target. Most of the pharmaceutical companies have actually made it cheaper to buy them through your vet. In addition, we have seen some serious reactions to off brand treatments.

nicole mackenzie · September 2013

mooncusp22 said:
I discovered that my two dogs seem to have fleas... ughhh My husband is away so I am the only one around- is it safe to give the bath to the dogs? I don't see any warnings on bottle, just to not give a flea bath to a pregnant dog but nothing about a pregnant person giving the bath. Though I am guessing if a pregnant dog shouldn't get one I shouldn't give one...?
thanks!

UPDATE: I gave them a topical gel last night (avoided getting it on my hands and washed well afterward and spent the rest of the evening in the bedroom so I wouldn't come in contact with the gel while it dried). Anyway, just checked them both and still see the creepy crawlies!! This is a nightmare! Neither have ever had fleas before.... Going to Petsmart in a few to have them give them the bath. I washed all the blankets, bed sheets (they don't go into the bedrooms anyway), and vacummed the area rug in the den (everything else is wood floors). They hang out the most on the den couches, which are all leather, I wiped them down. Anything else I can do? I want to bomb the house- not sure if that is safe??

Flea infestations can take 3 months to get rid of.

I would use a product from your vet. There are counterfeit and just plain unsafe or ineffective products available OTC. Revolution is awesome for fleas! But not so much ticks if that's an issue in your area. Activyl, vectra, etc.

Do not give your dog a bath for 72 hours before or after application.

Wash all bedding used by pets, your blankets if they go on the bed, and vacuum everything to try and reduce fleas in the environment. Throw out the bag or clean vacuum canister and take the trash out adterwards.

Fleas have a 21 day life cycle. So first treatment kills adult fleas but not eggs in environment

Eggs hatch and then 2nd treatment kills those, and so forth.

You have to treat all pets because untreated pets can harbor fleas and reinfect your environment

If you stick at it then you can get ahead.

Something like capstar will immediately kill the adults for 24 hours but won't offer continued protection.

I'm a vet tech btw

nicole mackenzie · September 2013

I'd avoid bombing if possible.

Rrrrrachel · September 2013

Capstar is what I was tryin to remember the name of earlier! That stuff is awesome.

mooncusp22 · September 2013

thanks everyone!! I will look into Capstar.... Pups are at Petsmart now getting flea/tick baths.

Mamaengen · September 2013

aronie82 said:
I would try Dawn dish soap. I've heard it kills fleas and should be safe for you. Unless you can wear gloves. I'm not one of those people switching all of my products but I wouldn't chance it

Actually works wonders! We live in LA where fleas are rampant and this kills them like no other.

Onelovelyginger · September 2013

This may sound crazy but it worked for us. If you take a giant pan of water and sit it in a dark room overnight, with a candle or some sort of light in the middle, they flock to it and drown. We also added a little bit of blue Dawn dish soap to ours to add to the killing power. Lol

nicole mackenzie · September 2013

mooncusp22 said:
thanks everyone!! I will look into Capstar.... Pups are at Petsmart now getting flea/tick baths.

Remember this is not going to take care of the fleas in the environment.

You really need to get a flea med from your vet and use it every month for at least 3 months on every pet in the home.

Also as mentioned earlier bathing your pet before applying the medicine will remove the oils in your pets coat that normally help absorb and spread the medication so it won't work. And bathing afterwards will wash it off.

Wait 72 hours after last bath and before bathing again.

2010weddinggal · September 2013

I agree with the Dawn it kills on contact, safe and gentle and pregnant woman can do it

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