My 9-week unvaccinated puppy has fleas. Should I bathe or comb?

Hi there, It kind of depends on the product, but I wouldn't use it on her if it's going to be a slight overdose. Sometimes products have a wider safety margin, but flea products can be toxic at higher doses. Ideally go buy a product that is her size, and that kills adult fleas and their eggs. You can also give her a bath to drown some of them. Sorry you have to deal with that, but congrats on your puppy. Also let the shelter know they have fleas... Best wishes to you and Lucy and thanks for using Pet Coach.

No, it is not recommended. Bathe him in warm water and some Dawn dish liquid. Use a fine toothed comb to remove dead or dying fleas. Dry him thoroughly afterwards and make sure he doesn't get chilled.

You can give a bath, but it may not get rid of all of the adult fleas and any fleas that are now in the environment will be able to jump back on if she is not on a preventative. I do not recommend using a flea shampoo since they can be harsh and some can even cause toxicity in small dogs. I would recommend a sensitive skin dog shampoo and a flea comb. You could also check with your vet and see if Capstar, an oral medication that kills fleas for about 24 hours, would be safe for Lyrik.

Hello, yes it is ok to bathe your puppy however, please use warm water and make sure she is thoroughly dry after her bath. Some flea shampoos may be ok for puppies this young, you should find the recommended age for the shampoo you are trying to use on the bottle itself. Most often, if you puppy has fleas, it is most safe to bathe with plain water and shampoo. Most of the time, you won't need flea shampoo. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Congratulations on your new puppy! I would recommend taking her to a vet's office to get her shots as soon as you can, since she's at risk for contracting diseases like parvo or distemper right now if she's never been vaccinated. Your veterinarian can also get her started on a good quality flea medication. She will probably also need a fecal test and deworming to get rid of any parasites, which are very common in puppies. If you want to give her something for the fleas before you're able to get to the vet, K9 Advantix is the most effective over-the-counter option for fleas.

You can treat him with a monthly flea prevention, like NexGard or Frontline which are both labeled for use on puppies over 8 weeks of age. Ask your vet for the best flea prevention for your puppy. Continue to give him the flea medication on a monthly basis.

Cocoa is not old enough for her first vaccines until she is at least six weeks of age. She should not be showered until she is at least three months of age unless she is very dirty. You can use Frontline Spray on her for the fleas, it's safe to use on dogs as young as two days of age.