A flea comb is a grooming accessory that every dog owner should have. In addition to removing tangled knots and matted hair, it’s also able to pull fleas from a dog’s coat. If your dog is scratching, gnawing, acting restless, or experiencing other symptoms of a flea infestation, perhaps you should try a quick grooming session using a flea comb. For a step-by-step walkthrough on how to use a flea comb on a dog, keep reading.
Why Can’t I Use a Normal Grooming Brush?
Unfortunately, normal grooming brushes don’t offer the same flea-grabbing benefits as a flea brush (hence their name). The teeth on a traditional grooming brush are spread too far apart, which allows fleas to pass through. It may capture a flea here and there, but it will leave far too many behind.
Flea combs are specially designed to capture and hold fleas. Their unique design features tightly-knit blades that literally pull fleas away from the dog’s coat, at which point the owner or groomer can dispose of the fleas. It’s a simple tool that’s great for pets that are allergic to traditional treatment medications.
Benefits of Using a Flea Comb
Flea combs offer a safe and effective way to treat flea infestations in dogs without the need for medications. If your dog is suffering from an infestation, your first priority should be to remove the fleas currently on his or her fur. Even if you decide to take the route of traditional medication, you’ll have to wait at least 24 hours for it to work. Thankfully, a flea comb works instantly to remove these pesky blood-sucking parasites.
Dog being brushed by a flea comb: photo by Lablascovegmenu.
Steps To Using a Flea Comb
- Fill up a narrow disposable cup with warm water and dish soap.
- Starting from your dog’s head and working your way to their tail, press the flea comb down through their fur and gently pull it across their body.
- After a couple of strokes, check the comb blades to see if there are any ticks present. If there are, pull them off with your fingers and toss them into the disposable cup of soapy water.
- Continue combing through your dog’s coat, paying extra attention to the underside/belly area.
- When you are finished, disposable of the flea-filled soapy water by pouring it down the drain and reward your dog with a treat.