How to Rid a Maltese of Fleas

Rid your Maltese of fleas with a few simple techniques.
i Malteser Hund image by allgaeuclick from Fotolia.com

Fleas are the common enemy of pets and pet owners. They can be especially difficult to control on long-haired breeds like the Maltese, because there is so much hair to hide in. If you discover fleas on your pooch, there are several approaches you can take to get rid of them.

Step 1

Give your Maltese a flea bath to get rid of her fleas. Use a flea shampoo made specifically for dogs, applying a line of the shampoo long the dog's spine, then lathering and scrubbing thoroughly . Towel dry. Use a flea comb to remove any remaining fleas and eggs in your dog's coat. Put any fleas you find in a bowl of soapy water.

Step 2

Control fleas on your dog with a monthly flea preventative medication. There are many over-the-counter brands you can give to your dog topically to kill and prevent fleas. You can also talk to your veterinarian about giving your dog prescription flea medications.

Step 3

Feed your Maltese some garlic to repel fleas naturally. Garlic works as an internal flea repellant by releasing a smell through your dog’s skin that repulses fleas. Add a quarter of a clove of cooked garlic into your dog's wet food, Alternatively, you can crush a garlic tablet up and mix it with your dog's wet food to safely repel and eliminate fleas.

Step 4

Keep fleas off your Maltese with a homemade flea spray. Squeeze a lemon into a cup of water and mix together well in a spray bottle. Spray your Maltese lightly every few days with the solution to kill and repel fleas. If the solution begins to irritate your dog's skin, spray her only about once a week or whenever you notice fleas on her.

Step 5

Eliminate fleas from your home to prevent future infestations. Wash and dry your pets' bedding and vacuum floors, carpets and upholstery to kill flea eggs and larvae. Use the homemade lemon solution to spritz your pets' bedding and blankets, and anywhere fleas may hide.

the nest

×