Yes, vacuuming your dog with a pet-friendly vacuum can prevent flea infestation. According to a study conducted by Ohio State University, vacuuming kills 96% of adult fleas and 100% of flea eggs.
However, vacuuming isn’t the permanent solution to get rid of fleas. One escaped flea can multiply to 40 in a day. So, better try one of the following permanent ways to deal with fleas:
Keep reading for a detailed guide on vacuuming fleas off a dog.
🧐Does Vacuuming Get Rid of Fleas?
Yes, vacuuming your dog can remove fleas in all their life stages (adult fleas to eggs ).
This happens through the vac’s powerful suction, air currents, brushes, and fans, destroying fleas’ waxy cuticles.
However, you must use special vac attachments with softer bristles or quiet handheld vacuums for flea treatment without scaring your dog.
🗓️How Often Should I Vacuum Fleas off a Dog?
Every dog is different, and so is their shedding. You should vacuum fleas off a dog at least twice a month, depending upon your dog’s coat type (double-coated fur, short pet hair) and shedding frequency (which increases during their Shedding season, i.e., spring and fall).
💁Tips to Keep In Mind When Vacuuming Your Dog
😟What to Do if Your Dog Hates the Vacuum?
Vacuums make dogs scared because of vac’s motion and high-pitched voice. As a result, they either hide under the couch, bark continuously, run away from the vacuum cleaner, or behave weirdly.
Follow other methods to correctly use a vacuum on dogs without scaring and irritating them:
Also Read: Can You Vacuum Cat Litter?
🤔How Does Vacuuming Kill Fleas?
According to a 2007 Ohio State University study, vacuuming kills 96% of itchy fleas throughout their life stages (eggs, larvae, pupa, and adult).
The powerful vacuum air currents, brushes, and fans destroy fleas’ waxy cuticles (fleas’ outer layer), their source of hydration.
With the cuticle wearing away, fleas dry up, making vacuums perfect for flea treatment.
👉Things to Keep In Mind to Make Vacuuming Fleas an Effective Tool
🎯How To Remove Fleas From Dogs Without Vacuum?
Some fleas may escape the vacuum cleaners and cause nuisance again as they multiply rapidly (female fleas can lay 40 eggs/day, which takes 2-15 days to develop).
Moreover, vacuuming is apt for a one-time flea removal but is not a regular flea disinfestation strategy.
So follow these economical ways to get rid of fleas from the dog without a vacuum:
👉Things to Keep In Mind
💡Can You Vacuum Fleas Off A Dog: FAQs
Why are fleas still visible after vacuuming?
Fleas are still visible after vacuuming because of their limited efficiency in removing flea larvae.
This happens because the fleas coil themselves, flip longitudinally, and stick to places like carpet fibers when you vacuum your pet.
However, when you vacuum fleas, they die while suctioning.
Should you vacuum dog hair?
Yes, you should vacuum dog hair as part of its regular grooming, provided you have the right vacuum type (quiet handheld vacuum) with specific pet-friendly attachments. Never use floor/carpet attachments when vacuuming dog hair.
It is better to comb and then vacuum your dog’s dead hair to combat bad odor and dirt in shedding season.
Will baby oil kill fleas on my dog?
No, baby oil will not kill fleas on your dog. In fact, using products like machine oil, petroleum, and baby oil on your pet for grooming puts your dog at risk of skin diseases and gastrointestinal problems if ingested.
What happens if fleas are left untreated?
If fleas are left untreated, your pet may suffer from lesions, dry skin, infections, hair loss, and major diseases in the flea-affected areas.
So, look for the signs (like scratching, pimples or red bumps, itchiness), apply flea medicines, and bathe with flea shampoo to treat the problem.
Can you vacuum fleas off a cat?
Yes, you can vacuum fleas off a cat with specialized compact vacuum cleaners that are cat-friendly.
The vacuum removes the cat’s loose hair, sucks the fleas, and throws them into the plastic container to be cleared out later.
However, avoid using a regular vacuum cleaner on your cat to remove cat fleas because of the cat’s small size and fragile body.
Adarsh is a Health Science graduate with expertise in environmental health and wellness. He is a Neat Freak who constantly looks for ways to keep his surroundings clean. At Clean Homies, Adarsh is focused on researching and sharing information on how you can maintain hygiene at home for a happy life.
