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How to stop fleas from biting my dog when nothing seems to work?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Bully | Female | 3 years and 4 months old | 80 lbs

My dogs are getting bitten up badly by fleas. They were previously on simparica trio which my vet said was the best and still did not stop the flea bites. This month I tried frontline plus shield, had my yard and house treated, washed all beddings. I’ve done everything I can think of but nothing has worked and suggestions to repel fleas from my Dogs.

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 13th, 2021

Hello. I am so sorry for your concerns with Harley. Unfortunately, you must have a terrible flea problem in your area. Everything you are doing is appropriate & good, but it can take 3 months of constant battle to eliminate a current flea problem. Continue the Simparica, & retreat your yard & home as needed. You can bathe Harley weekly with a an anti-itch shampoo, one that contains either 1% hydrocortisone or pramoxine. They also make leave on conditioners & mousse's you might try. Because Simparica ( & all other oral & topical flea products ) require the flea to bite in order to die, you can also use a flea shampoo along with the anti-itch shampoo for an immediate knockdown of the fleas on Harley. I would also consider a injection of Cytopoint, which is immunotherapy that your veterinarian can administer. This will do nothing for fleas, but may help the irritation from the flea bites. Hopefully, this will all help. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 22nd, 2017

    Hello, & thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Unfortunately, your pictures did not come through, but I would guess that what you are seeing is the skin irritation that results from Harley biting & chewing his skin from the fleas. If you are having a bad flea infestation, it can take 3 months to rid the environment of fleas, so do not give up. Make sure you are using the best flea product you can afford at the time frame recommended for at least 3 months in a row. This includes Frontline GOLD, Bravecto, Nextgard, & Comfortis, & the Seresto collar. Anything else is pretty much a waste of money. Treat your house with the appropriate number of bombs making sure the product contains an Insect Growth Regulator ( available at Wal Mart, or any home & garden centers ). Use a hand spray to get the areas a fog can not reach such as behind curtains & under furniture. Repeat this in 21 days. Your Harley may be developing Flea Allergy Dermatitis, essentially a allergic recation to the flea saliva. You may need to see your vet for appropriate medication to control the itching. In the meantime, bathe Harley in cool water & an oatmeal based shampoo. This will be soothing, & you can do this several times a week ( but do not bathe 48 hours bef9ore or after you decide to use one of the topical products). Fighting fleas is a war, & all we can do is win 1 battle at a time. I hope Harley finds some relief soon. Take care.

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