Shih Tzu Flea Treatment & Protection

Overview

Unless a puppy or dog is protected, it’s extremely easy to catch fleas. And, a flea infestation can cause havoc. Once these tiny insects take hold, they multiply quickly, and go on a blood feeding frenzy that causes intense itching and related issues, and can quickly spread throughout the house.

While there can be hundreds of fleas on a dog, you can’t always see them, so it may seem tricky to even diagnose this. If you suspect that your Shih Tzu has fleas or you are sure of it, this article will cover exactly what you need to know, including remedies to help with itching and how to kill fleas at all stages using effective all-natural remedies.

A Shih Tzu with Fleas - Illustrated image

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How a Shih Tzu Catches Fleas

Fleas spread very quickly from dog to dog, other animals (cats and some wild animals like raccoons) to dogs, and even from different surfaces (inside on carpeting, bedding, etc. and outdoors in cool shaded areas) to dogs since they can stay alive up to 4 days without a host. And, since fleas can jump up to several feet, a Shih Tzu doesn’t even need to directly come into contact with fleas in order to catch them.

Once a flea(s) lands on a dog, they multiple extremely quickly. An adult female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day. Just one flea can create a population of thousands in under a month.

Since fleas are so prolific, if you are not using a flea repellent on your Shih Tzu, it should not come as a surprise that these pests eventually find their way to your little guy or gal and set up home there.

Signs that a Shih Tzu Has Fleas

Though comical drawings show fleas circling around a dog, in actuality, you may not see them at all. Since fleas feed off the blood of animals, they usually burrow down deep near a dog’s skin. So, if you suspect that your Shih Tzu has fleas, you’ll want to look for these signs:

Intense itching – Just one adult flea can bite up to 400 times a day and the bites themselves can be exceedingly itchy. If a dog is allergic to flea saliva, this makes it all that much worse. Most dogs with fleas will get so frustrated with itchiness that they almost go into a frenzy, scratching or pawing at they body. This may be all over or concentrated on one area, like the ears. A Shih Tzu may rub their body against different surfaces and there may be some head shaking.

Irritated skin and/or localized hair loss – The constant itchiness and therefore scratching, chewing, rubbing that happens can wear down areas on the body. Common skin issues include inflammation and sore and hair follicles can become damaged which may lead to localized hair loss.

Black specks – Upon close inspection, and particularly if the hair is parted, you may see black specks on your Shih Tzu’s coat or skin. They are about the size of the tip of a pencil and are not fleas, but rather flea droppings.

White specks – Upon close inspection, you may see tiny white specks either on the coat or on bedding or other surfaces where a Shih Tzu has rested. These are flea eggs.

The fleas themselves – Checking your Shih Tzu's coat closely may reveal fleas, which move quickly between hairs or jump away. Spotting one flea often means there are many more unseen. To detect fleas in carpeted homes, slide feet with clean white socks across the carpet or press white paper towels into various areas. Tiny red dots indicate crushed fleas, but their absence doesn't rule out fleas on a dog.

How to Get Rid of Fleas on a Shih Tzu

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Eliminating every flea at all life stages, from eggs to adults, on your Shih Tzu and in your home is crucial, as any remaining flea or egg can lead to another infestation. Be cautious with chemical treatments such as pyrethroid-based products, carbamates (carbaryl or propoxur), and organophosphate insecticides (like tetrachlorvinphos). These have been linked to severe reactions in pets, including seizures, brain damage, and heart attacks, despite EPA approval. Fortunately, there are effective all-natural, chemical-free flea treatments. Here are the steps to get rid of fleas in a safe way:

Step #1: Gather Your Supplies:

1. A no-chemical, all-natural flea treatment. One that works well is Natural Care Flea and Tick Spray by the Out company, which works via a blend of two plant-based oils: peppermint and eugenol (derived from clove plants). This can be used both on a dog and on surfaces in the house.

2. A flea comb that has a double row of teeth. A good one is the Safari Flea Comb.

3. A tall glass, bowl, or other container that is large enough to dip the comb into; this should hold a mixture of soapy water (using dish soap).

4. A small towel or some paper towels, and one small washcloth.

Step #2: Remove the Fleas:

1. As a preliminary step, spray your Shih Tzu’s entire body with the natural flea treatment, using a washcloth to cover the face as you get near the head. You may see fleas dropping off dead as you do this but note that this is just the beginning step.

2. Now, work section by section. It’s often easiest to start at the head and work your way down the body.

Part the coat and spray the product.
Use the flea comb to go through the hair, carefully reaching down to your Shih Tzu’s skin.
After every swipe through the coat, dip the comb into the soapy water (to remove fleas, eggs, larvae, and/or pupae), then wipe dry with a small towel or paper towel.

3. Repeat this for 3 days in a row.

4. Do this in conjunction with ridding the fleas out of the house; if not, they will quickly latch onto your Shih Tzu again (steps for this are next).

Step #3: Rid the House of Fleas:

Never assume that the house is clear just because you don’t see fleas. With any moderate to severe flea problem on a dog, hundreds of tiny fleas and eggs may be falling onto bedding, furniture, carpeting, and other areas of the house. Here is how to get rid of them all in the quickest and safest way:

1. Vacuum every area that you can, throwing away the vacuum bag after each sweep through the house.

2. If your Shih Tzu has a bed, there are fleas deep within the cushion. If the entire bed is not washable, throw it away and get a new one.

3. Wash as many items as you can. This includes all clothing, stuffed toys, linens, etc.)

4. Spray every surface, crevice and household object that you can with a no-chemical flea spray. (see Step 1: Gather your supplies).

5. It’s recommended to repeat this thorough house cleaning for 3 days in a row. What you may miss on Day 1 will be caught the next, and the 3rd day’s sweep will be a safety precaution.

6. Don’t forget about your car. If your Shih Tzu has been riding around with you, chances are high that fleas or flea eggs are in your car as well. Vacuum and then treat your automobile for 3 days, just as is done with the house.

How to Treat Flea-related Itching

To stop the relentless itching from flea bites, focus first on eradicating the fleas. Once you've used the first full-body flea spray, you can start relieving the itching. Even after the fleas are gone, bites may continue to bother your Shih Tzu for days or weeks. Use gentle, cooling, and soothing anti-itch products on their sensitive skin.

For best results, bathe your dog with a specialized shampoo and use a spray for particularly affected areas.

The Shampoo: It's advised to use a specialized shampoo that is designed to cool irritated skin since flea bites can cause terrible skin reactions. One that we like is Earthbath Tea Tree Oil and Aloe Vera Shampoo. It's formulated to help with hot spots, itching and other skin irritations.

Once you’ve wet down your Shih Tzu, lather on the shampoo, massage in, and allow it sit for up to 10 minutes to let it really soak into all the crevices on the body. This is a great way to offer full-body relief. Be sure to gently pat dry (do not rub). Follow with your Shih Tzu's regular conditioner.

The Spray: A topical anti-itch spray can work well to target particularly itchy, irritated spots and it can be good for daily use. There are two types: natural and medicated.

1- All-natural. These are best for mild cases. Some ingredients like oatmeal can combat itch and other natural ingredients like almond oil, aloe vera or chamomile can help to moisturize. One non-medicated spray that may offer some relief is Oatmeal Conditioning Spray by John Paul Pets, which has 13 conditioning ingredients, most notably oatmeal, aloe, and chamomile.

2- Medicated. This is best if a Shih Tzu has moderate to severe itching and you're looking for immediate relief. Topical medications like hydrocortisone can help with inflation and itch and lidocaine which acts as a numbing agent. Topicals like this usually have moisturizing and conditioning ingredients as well. For this, we recommend Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Hot Spot and Itch Relief Medicated Spray.

Flea Prevention: How to Prevent a Shih Tzu from Catching Fleas

If you’ve successfully navigated your Shih Tzu’s flea infestation, you no doubt would do anything to prevent it from happening again. Or, perhaps having avoided it thus far but knowing how rough it can be, has you seeking something effective to keep fleas away. Here are some guidelines to help prevent fleas:

Regular Bathing and Grooming: Keep your Shih Tzu clean with regular baths and grooming to deter fleas.
Clean Living Environment: Regularly clean your Shih Tzu's bedding and play areas to remove any possible flea eggs or larvae.
Regular Vacuuming: Vacuum your home frequently, especially carpets and upholstery, to pick up any possible flea eggs or larvae.
Lawn Maintenance: Keep your lawn and garden trimmed to minimize flea habitats.
Avoid Flea-Infested Areas: Keep your Shih Tzu away from known flea-infested areas which may include tall grassy areas, dog parks that are overcrowded or poorly maintained and areas with high animal traffic such as pet shelters or boarding facilities.
Avoid Contact with Infested Dogs: Keep your Shih Tzu away from other dogs that are known to have fleas to prevent the spread of infestation.
Flea Preventative Treatments: Chemical-based products like flea collars or sprays can cause adverse reactions in dogs, and finding effective all-natural alternatives can be challenging. One to consider is Natural Cedar Oil Insect Repellent by Cedercide, which works via cedarwood oil, a known, natural flea repellent.