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My dog still has fleas after Frontline and baths. What now?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Siberian Husky | Male | neutered | 45 lbs

My 4 year old Siberian Husky, Atlas, has a severe flea problem. I have been using Frontline Plus for about 3 months, have given him a flea bath a couple days before application, and sprayed my furniture, bedding, and his bedding with flea spray. What else can I do?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

Veterinarian

Published on May 18th, 2020

Flea infestations can be really frustrating to manage! It sounds as though you're doing all of the right things to manage this issue. However, in recent years, I have not found Frontline Plus to be as effective as it once was. Consider talking to your vet about switching to an oral flea preventive, such as Bravecto, Nexgard, Credelio or Simparica. (All are prescription-based, which is why you'll need to first talk to your vet.) I find these medications MUCH more effective at rapidly killing several flea lifestages, which helps to break the flea life cycle (adults lay eggs, which become larvae, then pupae, then adults, which lay more eggs). Consistently giving flea preventives is the best way to resolve a flea infestation. Over the counter oral medications like Capstar are great at killing adult fleas, but only last for 24 hours. K9 Advantix II is an over the counter topical option that works well, but isn't quite in the same league as the prescription orals. Also be sure to wash any blankets, pillows or bedding that is machine washable on the hottest setting allowable. Try to wash these things at least once a week. If all else fails, consult an exterminator to treat your environment. Flea baths are largely ineffective at treating fleas. Many of these flea shampoos cause skin irritation, so I would just try using a regular dog shampoo every few months to wash off any dead fleas or flea dirt. Also be sure to talk to your vet about checking a stool sample for tapeworms, as dogs can ingest tapeworm eggs if they eat infected fleas. I hope this helps and that all goes well for Atlas! https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/flea-infestation-1/

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 21st, 2017

    Frontline takes some time to kill the fleas after they jump onto your pet so it would not be impossible to find the occasional flea, normally slow moving and unwell from the effects of the treatment. If the infestation is increasing or the fleas were rapid moving, unaffected by the medication you may need to consider rotation to a different product after 14days. You should also consider treating all bedding areas and cars etc with an insecticidal flea spray as only 5% of fleas are found on your pet, the remainder being eggs and larvae in the environment

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 20th, 2017

    Frontline should never be used within 48hours before or after bathing and you may indeed be washing some of the product off. Frontline also takes some time (approx 6hours) to kill the fleas and you may see active fleas between hatching and actually being killed. Ensure you have treated all areas with a product which kills eggs and larvae (such as acclaim household spray); remove and replace as much bedding as possible and consider using a tablet based product such as bravecto or nexguard

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on October 10th, 2018

    You need to disinfect the environment as well, as the fleas live in that and not on the dog. They will hop on the dog to feed and then hop off. Wash Queen's 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. You can reapply the Frontline two weeks after the initial application. I hope this helps!

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