Few things are more frustrating than realizing your dog has fleas. One moment your pup is happily wagging its tail, the next you're spotting tiny black specks in its fur or noticing constant scratching. If you're asking yourself, “What now?”, don’t worry—there is a clear path forward.
Here’s a step-by-step plan to treat your dog, clean your home, and prevent fleas from coming back by treating the outdoors too.
Step 1: Confirm the Infestation
Before you begin treatment, make sure fleas are really the issue. Look for:
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Constant scratching or biting
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Small red bumps on your dog's skin
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Flea dirt (tiny black specks that turn reddish when wet)
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Actual fleas crawling or jumping in the fur
If you confirm even a few signs, it’s time to act fast.
Step 2: Treat Your Dog Immediately
Start with your pet. There are several effective flea treatments available, including:
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Topical treatments (monthly spot-on medications)
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Oral medications (prescription or over-the-counter)
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Flea shampoos for immediate relief
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Flea combs to remove adult fleas and flea dirt
Bathing your dog with a vet-approved flea shampoo can kill the fleas on contact. Be thorough—pay close attention to the neck, tail, and belly. After bathing, follow up with a vet-recommended preventative treatment to stop the life cycle.
Step 3: Clean and Treat Your Home
Fleas lay eggs that fall into carpets, upholstery, and bedding. Even if you kill the fleas on your pet, the problem won’t go away unless you treat your living space. Here's what to do:
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Wash all bedding, both yours and your pet’s, in hot water
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Vacuum carpets, rugs, and furniture daily—then empty the vacuum outside
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Steam clean carpets and upholstery if possible
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Use an indoor flea spray or fogger
This is where a fogger is a game-changer. It delivers ultra-fine mist deep into furniture, cracks, and corners—places fleas and their eggs hide. Using a fogger like Tomahawk’s ensures a thorough, even application across entire rooms, dramatically increasing the chances of breaking the flea life cycle.
Step 4: Don’t Forget the Yard
Your pet doesn’t just stay indoors—and neither do fleas. To prevent reinfestation:
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Mow the lawn regularly (fleas thrive in tall grass)
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Clear out debris, leaves, and shaded areas
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Apply an outdoor flea spray to patios, dog runs, and garden edges
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Treat areas under decks, porches, and fences—anywhere your dog lounges
The Tomahawk fogger can also be used outdoors with the appropriate pest control solution, making it easy to treat wide areas of your yard quickly and effectively.
Step 5: Stay Vigilant
Flea infestations can take several weeks to fully resolve, especially if eggs have already been laid around your home. Continue vacuuming, washing, and monitoring your pet. It may take more than one treatment cycle to eliminate all life stages of fleas.
Also, consider placing flea traps indoors to monitor the situation, and maintain a monthly flea prevention routine for your dog.
Finding fleas on your dog can feel overwhelming, but with a quick response and a thorough plan, you can take back control of your home. Treat your dog first, then tackle the indoors and outdoors with tools like a fogger for professional-level results. Don’t let fleas win—act fast, stay consistent, and your home will be flea-free in no time.
