Dog Grooming to Prevent Flea Infestation
Is it really true that an ill kept dog is owned by an ugly owner? There may be some truth to this belief given that the appearance of the pet is actually a reflection of the personality of the owner. As such, a mangy dog or one whose coat is riddled with sores and bald patches will be viewed as a neglected pet. It is quite common for people to believe that the poor dog is owned by an irresponsible person.
Responsible dog owners are aware that good food is not enough to keep the pet healthy. A dog owner has to be aware of the fact that the pet needs to be regularly groomed to maintain its impressive appearance and also to resolve parasite infestation that can lead to various health concerns.
Fleas are one of the common ectoparasites of dogs. Fleas are very fast and wingless parasites that would not only cause the dog discomfort but a lot of other health concerns as well. A dog infested with fleas would be seen incessantly scratching and biting its body. A dog that is sensitive to flea saliva can develop flea allergy dermatitis. The excessive scratching; the skin lesions and the bald patches that develop will certainly affect the appearance of the pet. Severe flea infestation can also cause anemia. Moreover, fleas can introduce tapeworms not only to the dog but also to the dog’s human family if flea-carrying tapeworm eggs are accidentally ingested.
Eliminating fleas is one of the benefits of grooming the pet. Fleas can be transmitted by an infested dog or when the dog plays or passes areas where fleas are hiding. Flea products can kill adult fleas but not the eggs thus a flea infestation has the tendency to recur.
The importance of regular grooming in the prevention of parasite infestation is very important. Bathe the dog with an anti-flea shampoo. The lather must be allowed to stay in the dog’s body for at least 10 minutes before it can be rinsed. Use a fine toothed comb on the thoroughly dried hair to remove dead fleas. For good measure, all the areas of the house frequented by the dog must be vacuumed thoroughly giving particular attention to carpets and rugs as well as to cracks and crevices as these areas are favorite hiding places of fleas. The beddings and the toys of the dog must be washed in hot water as well.
A regular grooming regimen would keep not only fleas but other parasites at bay. Furthermore, the grooming sessions enables the owner to strengthen the bond with the pet.
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