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My 3-week-old puppies have fleas. Is Frontline safe if they lick it?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 18 days old | 2.5 lbs

i have 4 puppies that are 3 weeks old and they have fleas.. i went to the pet store and got frontline spray as recommended by the guys at the pet store and i sprayed one spray on one puppy and i immediately brought wet paper and tried to wipe it off.. the puppies sleep on eachother and they do lick eachother too. I'm freaking out.. pls help

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on November 25th, 2016

Frontline spray is safe to use on puppies as young as two days old. Because it dries rapidly, it's safe to handle the puppies as soon as their coat is dry. It has a very high safety margin, so as long as the puppies are dry, there should be no problem with them licking each other. I would not wipe off the flea treatment, as it will not work. If you are too concerned to use it, then you can give each one a warm bath, and use a flea comb to comb out the fleas. Make sure to dry them thoroughly after the bath. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash their bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    At that age, I don't recommend using flea products on the puppies. You can shampoo them with dawn dish detergent and comb the fleas out with a flea comb. Here is a link to a website that gives more specific instructuons. You can treat the mother with NexGard and then give the puppies a dose once they are old enough. http://www.dogchatforum.com/fleaspuppy.htm

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 31st, 2019

    Yes! You can use Frontline Spray, it's safe to use on puppies as young as two days of age. You will also have to disinfect the environment. Wash his bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home.

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 1st, 2024

    Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question. How lovely of you to look after these puppies. You can use Dawn dish soap and water water, and then bathe them in it to remove the fleas. I would not put the flea powder on a cloth and put it on them. You can also use Frontline spray, it's safe for puppies as young as two days of age, and you may be able to order that online for delivery. As for the mother, fleas live in the environment, not on the dog. They jump on to feed and then jump off. That may be why you cannot find fleas on her. I'd treat her with a spot on treatment such as Revolution or Advantage. I hope this helps.

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    4Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 25th, 2021

    I would get Frontline spray. It's safe to use on puppies as young as four days of age and you can get it at Petco. Use as directed until you can get Momo into the vet. You will also have to disinfect your home as fleas live in the environment, not on the dog. Wash his bedding in hot soapy water, and vacuum the furniture and carpet surfaces. You can use a spray to kill fleas in the house, such as Indorex, or a flea bomb would work well to kill the fleas in the home. Treat any other animals in the home as well for fleas.

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