Questions re: Dawn Dishwashing Liquid for fleas
 

I want to give my fur baby a bath using Dawn. I have heard over and over again to use the original green Dawn. Why is this? I went to the store and mistakenly grabbed the Apple Blossom scented antibacterial. Is this safe to use? I appreciate any and all input. Thank you

Don't take any chances with it. The antibacterial dish soap might be too harsh, and it could even be toxic. Some people have found that even the original green Dawn can be harsh on the skin. If you use the original Dawn, be sure to follow up with a good conditioner to restore moisture and pH balance.

It's the blue colored original Dawn. Going along with Phil's post above, I would skip the dish soap. You can achieve the same results using dog shampoo. Be generous with the shampoo and massage up a good lather on your dog. Start with a ring of shampoo around the neck to help prevent fleas from fleeing to the head and trying to hide in the ears.

Let the shampoo sit for a couple of minutes while you massage all the way to the skin.

Vacuum your home thoroughly daily, If your dog rides in the car, be sure to vacuum that too.

I agree with the above posters. Also, if you have cloth furniture...steam cleaning furniture and carpets. Wash all dog bedding and clothing. It's time consuming but worth it. I also wanted to add, to have pest control come out and spray your yard and keep your grass short.

Let me add, after you vacuum DO NOT empty the canister into your inside kitchen trash pail, empty canister outside into a plastic bag, knot that bag then toss in your outside trash pail, if fleas have been vacuumed they can escape when you empty the canister, always empty it outside into a plastic bag, knot it then put in outside trash pail.

If you use dawn, use the original formula blue dawn. That is the one that is safe on animals. I have found it effective at removing fleas, but if they are in the home they will jump right back on the dog.

All the bedding must be washed and dried in the dryer because fleas can survive the wash, but the dryer kills them. I used to take my dogs beds and just run them through the dryer to kill any fleas that might be there.

I treat my yard for fleas and that keeps my flea problem to a minimum. So far this year we have not had a single flea. I use flea and tick on the dogs, but I won't apply it until I see a flea and then all 4 dogs and the cat will be treated. I hate to use it so I use it as few months a year as I can. With the puppies the bigger they get the less I will worry about having to use it so every week we can not be using it is a good thing. I expect within a month I will need it, but until then I am putting it off. First flea I see on any of the animals though I will treat them all, I already have the flea stuff purchases for all of them and ready to go. Treating the yard right before we leave for the 4th of July on vacation though so it won't be walked on for several days by the little dogs to make it safer for them.

Good luck. Fleas are difficult to get rid of once you get infested badly.