There are numerous advantages to using edible flea treatment over topical treatment. Mainly, however, the edible flea treatment is usually chosen when the infected party (usually pet) does not like having water or other products applied to their fur (or skin). Edible flea treatment, in the form of tablets, therefore provides an alternative to more traditional treatments for fleas.
Some of the brands to look out for when searching for edible flea treatment, which can be found in most good stores (as well as a few bad ones probably, but stay away from them!), are K9 advantix, Frontline and Capstar. There are other good ones as well, so it’s best to read and ask around to find the best edible flea treatment for your purposes. If it is your pet that is infected, one person to ask certainly would be your vet, whom you can also ask for help regarding how to give the edible flea treatment to your pet, although directions will come with it. As with all tablets, it is very important to follow the instructions on how much you are giving your pet and how often. Also be aware of the age of your pet; puppies and kittens usually need to be six to eight years old before they can take edible flea treatment.
In order to encourage the taking of edible flea treatment, it usually comes in flavours, such as fish or beef, to make them more appetizing to your pet. Don’t be tempted yourself though! Actually, in all seriousness, although these edible flea treatments don’t have any side effects, they do not cross species well. If you have a cat and a dog, and they both have fleas, they cannot both be given the same tablets. There are products in the cat treatment that could be damaging to a dog and vice versa, so be careful not to mix them up.
It might be okay to mix edible flea treatment with other forms, however, such as baths or shampoos, if your pet is amenable to that. Although in fact, although it seems counter-intuitive, edible flea treatment is oftentimes faster than topical applications, soaps and sprays. There is an ingredient in the tablets called nitenpryam which is an adulticide, killing adult fleas and therefore halting the breeding process, results of which can usually be seen within thirty minutes.
Whatever kind of treatment you are using, in order to totally eradicate an infestation of fleas you have to make sure proper standards of cleanliness are maintained. This means cleaning your pet’s habitat, their sleeping area and carpets, every day. Vacuuming is a good start but there are also steam rollers and chemicals that can be used to get rid of any fleas. Especially when applying flea powders, it is important to remember that any children should be kept outdoors and anyone else in the vicinity should cover their face so as not to inhale any of it. The disposal of animal waste must also be completed in the proper way.
Flea infestations are irritating and potentially dangerous as fleas are blood sucking parasites which can infect the blood supply of their host. Consult with a professional before choosing the best course of treatment.
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