Health: Flea control

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Few dog owners are fortunate enough to avoid an eventual run-in with fleas, the most common dog parasites. Even with regular bathing and grooming, the tireless critters can find their way to the tender flesh of unsuspecting dogs (and dog owners). The bloodsuckers not only don't pay rent, they cause itching and can transmit diseases to their hosts.

Happily, controlling fleas has become much simpler, safer, and more effective in the last few years. New products that break the flea's reproductive cycle make it possible to keep the little biters at bay without exposing your dog to toxic chemicals.

Symptoms

If you think you've spotted some but aren't quite sure, run a flea comb (a fine-toothed comb) over your dog's back, groin area, haunches, and tail. These are the places fleas like most.

While some dogs experience nothing more than itching, others can develop flea allergy dermatitis. Heavy infestations can be serious enough to cause anemia. Some fleas carry diseases, such as typhus and tapeworm infections, that can be transmitted to your dog.

Flea basics

An adult flea can live for four months on the body of a dog, but it'll die in a couple of days without its canine host. After a nice meal of blood, fleas  [Continued]