According to a survey by Statista.com, roughly 89.7 million dogs were owned by American citizens in the year 2017, and the number of dog owners is increasing every year.
Domesticating pets has become one of the favorite hobbies of people all around the world. Although there is no practical value attached to making a dog or cat your companion, the people still love these little cute and faithful companions and the readers at DogStruggles wholeheartedly agree.
People now prefer to get more intimate with dogs, cats, or other pet animals over other people. Over 60% of the population has a dog, cat, or other pet animals in their house and include them a close family member.
Millions of people buy puppies or dogs every year, and the most critical problem they face in nourishing a cute little puppy is fleas, ticks, and mites. These parasitic insects are what frightened the most puppy owners. Fleas are the utmost nightmare for any puppy or dog owner. These tiny, blood-sucking, wingless insects can cause serious health complications if not eradicated immediately. So, whats the solution? Read on for more.
How to Get Rid of Fleas on Newborn Puppies?
Anti-Fleas Products on Newborn Puppies
In another survey by Statista.com, it was found that 80% of pet owners registered their pets with a vet to treat fleas infestation.
Newborn puppies are more prone to getting infections and severe health complications due to fleas. As their skin and internal organs are more sensitive and fragile as compared to adult dogs, one can not use fleas shampoos and other flea related products on newborn puppies.
These products can cause multiple health complications for puppies. Anti-fleas Medications with different chemical nature can cause many health complications for puppies, such as:
- Vomiting
- Respiratory issues
- Excessive salivation
- Over-sensitivity to stimulation
- Depression
- Drooling
- Excessive shaking
- Paralysis
- Seizures ( in a rare situation)
The newborn puppies have sensitive and fragile skins and relatively weak metabolism compared to adult dogs. Therefore, they can not handle the problematic dose of anti-fleas products.
None of the anti-fleas products for dog manufacturers advise or suggest using these products on newborn puppies. Thus, leaving us with only one choice; an organic or natural way to get rid of fleas on newborn puppies.
Organically Get Rid of Fleas on Newborn Puppies
As anti-fleas products can cause serious health complications for newborn puppies, an organic or natural way is the only way to eliminate fleas on newborn puppies. Down below, we have mentioned an organic way to get rid of fleas on newborn puppies.
Anti-Fleas Combs
The most commonly known method to get rid of fleas is using a fleas comb. It is organic and safe, and effective in getting rid of adult fleas, eggs, and larvae. Follow the following steps to use this method properly:
Step 1: Gather Supplies
- A Small Bowl or Sink:
- Flea comb
- 1 or Half liter Lukewarm water
- Mild dishwashing soap
- Any Essential oil
Step 2: Give Your Newborn Puppy A Warm Bath
- Get a small bowl or use the sink and fill it up with a half or one-liter (depending on your puppy’s height) of lukewarm water.
- Add mild dishwashing soap and a few drops of tea-tree essential oil ( you can use other essential oil as well) in the lukewarm water.
- Before using the water on your newborn puppy, carefully check the temperature with your finger or hand.
- If you feel the temperature is right, carefully grab your newborn puppy and thoroughly wet the puppy from neck to downwards.
- When your puppy is fully wet, use the organic shampoo for puppies and rub it thoroughly all over the puppy’s body.
- Especially target the puppy’s belly, neck, tail, and ears where fleas usually hide. After enough lather is gathered, thoroughly rinse your puppy with lukewarm water.
Step 3: Dry your Puppy
As the body of your newborn puppy is very fragile, use a cotton shirt or clean soft towel to dry his body. Do not use a hairdryer as it may be of too much heat for your little newborn puppy. If necessary, use the sunlight to dry his body. The sunlight will keep his whole body warm and prevent hypothermia. If your puppy is born in winter and there is not sunlight, use a heating pad to keep your newborn puppy warm and healthy.
Step 4: Use the Fleas Comb
- When your puppy is dry, set in under a brightened area with a small bowl.
- Add hot water and dishwashing soap in the small bowl and place it near you.
- Use the flea combs and comb opposite the hair direction multiple times. This will get all the eggs, larvae, and adult fleas out of your newborn puppy.
- Do not forget to be gentle and give your newborn puppy your utmost care and love.
- Wash the comb after combing it with the hot dishwashing soap water to clean the comb and kill the fleas. Primarily focus on puppy’s belly, neck, tail, and ears where fleas usually reside.
Repeat this process every time you bathe your cute little fellow.
Frequently Clean The Bedding and Mother Too
Fleas do not directly attack the newborn puppies. The mother and bedding areas are also one of the fleas prime target areas. Therefore, it is highly advisable to clean the bedding areas and dog mother body thoroughly with an anti-flea method.
To clean the dog mother, use anti-fleas products from pet shops, such as nexgard or frontline, flea sprays or flea powders for carpet. Anti-fleas shampoos can help you greatly in getting rid of these tiny, blood-sucking beasts.
To clean your beddings, use hot water and insecticides as normal detergents won’t be enough to get rid of eggs. Eggs are the most stubborn to get rid of. Use the insecticides according to the manufacturer’s instructions as each product differs in time to use their effectiveness.