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My dog has fleas, shampoo isn't enough. How do I get rid of them?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Eskimo Dog | Female | 25 lbs

my dog has fleas and i tried the shampoo and its not healthy what do i do

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Stephanie Echols, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 8th, 2017

Great question! Flea shampoos only kill live fleas on the pet for 24 hours. It does nothing to kill flea eggs or flea babies. I recommend picking up a flea prevention product from your veterinarian. You need to treat all the pets in the home every 30 days for at least 3 months. I also recommend a product to use in the home. Knockout is great for killing fleas. Also remove the vacuum bag or clean the canister after cleaning because they can live inside. Good luck and kisses to Princess!

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Debi Matlack

    Veterinary Technician

    Published on August 3rd, 2017

    It's probably irritation from itching from the fleas. If they have gotten into your house, it's hard to get rid of them but it can be done. For every flea you see on your pet, there are 100 more in the environment. Get your pet on a good topical or oral flea control through your vet. In flea control, you get what you pay for. Consider asking your vet for a dose of Capstar. It helps get the problem under control by killing the fleas on the pet starting in five minutes but only lasts for 24 hours. You need to treat your home environment. If you use a pest control service, tell them you are having a flea problem and they can adjust their treatment. Use a premise spray that also contains an IGR, insect growth regulator. This keeps eggs and larvae from maturing into adults and helps break the life cycle. Also, vacuum EVERY DAY, throwing out the bag or emptying the canister every time into an outside receptacle and spraying the contents with insecticide to kill the fleas you’ve vacuumed up. Treat your yard too, since fleas are opportunistic and will hop a ride into your home on your pant leg without you knowing it. Concentrate on areas under bushes, in the shade. Fleas are less likely to be located in open sunny areas where it gets hot. If chemicals are a problem, you can use borax. Sprinkle it into rugs, into corners and under furniture, use a broom to work it into the fibers and let it sit for hours, days even. It won't hurt you or your pet to have it present. Then vacuum it up, reapply as needed. Food grade diatomaceous earth can be gotten from a health food store and worked into the rugs and corners in the same way as borax. These treatments aren't as fast and effective as chemical insecticides but they can help. You might want to consider boarding your pet for the day at your vet, to give you the opportunity to flea bomb your house without having to worry about your pet being exposed. They can bathe your pet and give a dose of Capstar while you treat your home. Be patient, you may have to repeat these steps multiple times 10-14 days apart to help break the flea life cycle.

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