Comfortis for fleas?

sandave88 · #1 11/16/09, 07:59 PM

Our dogs have had a hard time with fleas since we moved to our almost there house. Well we tried frontline and all it did was waste my time. Dogs still itching. I bathed them in dawn as someone said may work. It didn't. So I call the vet which I hate to do because they usually cost me an arm and a leg. Well they suggested comfortis. Well gave the dogs there pills and they seem to be itching more than ever. How long is this stuff suppose to take and is it harmful to my dogs(other children)? I wonder if anyone has a natural way to rid fleas from your pets. I have heard add vinegar or garlic to water or food. Spray them with a rosemary tea. Baking soda/borax. Any other things you know work??

southerngurl · #2 11/16/09, 08:11 PM

Here's what I do, it's super cheap. Get some bayer tree and shrub (not the kind with fertilizer added). For a fifty lb dog you put 1 tsp on the rump, and 1 tsp between shoulder blades, split hair to get to skin. You can find a little about it online.

Bayer makes Advantage for dogs it has the exact same active ingredient as their tree and shrub, just WAY WAY WAY more expensive. One bottle of tree and shrub is 20 bucks and will last forever.

Just like advantage this kills fleas on both the dog and in a dog's resting places. Because as the hair falls out it has the imadicloprid on it, and it will work to kill them in the environment where they collect as well.

Boss Cooker · #3 11/16/09, 08:56 PM

we started using comfortis on our two dogs and mom inlaws two months ago. It works great. The dogs do scratch from time to time. We have found no fleas on them. We did however hear that it is hard on the liver. Our vet told us it is safe.

copperhead46 · #4 11/16/09, 09:18 PM

I've had great results with Comfortis, I think it does take a few days to get into their system. I agree that natural is better, but, when it comes to fleas, you've got to use what ever you can get. I'd be afraid to use a tree herbacide on an animal.
P.J.

MaineFarmMom · #5 11/17/09, 04:46 AM

I use store brand dandruff shampoo to kill fleas. You have to be sure to rub the shampoo in well so that it gets to the skin.

RachelC · #6 11/17/09, 09:25 AM

We had fleas on us last year. They were in the children's and my hair. I looked up what to use and my herbal said to mix 3-5 drops of tea tree oil or thyme oil into 1/3 cup olive oil and rub through the hair. Cover with a shower cap and leave for 4 -8 hrs. Wash hair thoroughly. I used a lice comb to comb them all out of our hair. They were gone in 2-3 days. For a dog I would mix the oils in cornstarch and leave to set overnight. Then sprinkle on and work through the coat. Give them a bath after a few hrs. if possible. Wash any bedding or rugs etc. in hot water with a 1/2 tsp. Eucalyptus oil. You can usually get these essential oils at a health food store or online. Hope this helps! RC

sidepasser · #7 11/17/09, 05:56 PM

I use Comfortis and it does take a few days to get into the system. The scratching is from OLD flea bites, yes, they take a few weeks to heal up and quit itching. Ever been bit by a flea? Then you know the site doesn't quit itching in a matter of hours, it sometimes takes days.

What I have done is give my dogs Benedryl for the itchies and only if they are scratching badly, the Comfortis will kill the fleas, it takes approximately a week for it to show results and the scratching will go away within a month. One pill a month on the first for each dog..works for me.

I've tried Advantage, Frontline Plus, etc. and nothing beats the Comfortis - you do need to wash all dog bedding, vacuum the house if you have house dogs, etc. just like you would do using any other product to kill any residual fleas.

I lightly spray my dogs with Adams when they will be in the woods just to keep the fleas from hopping a ride back to the barn. So far, two dogs, flea free. Outside 24/7 and no fleas to speak of in the barns or hayshed.

**Tiempo** · #8 11/17/09, 06:12 PM

Comfortis has been working well for us.

southerngurl · #9 11/18/09, 08:15 AM

Yea, I was afraid to use the bayer at first too, but it is the same insecticide as Advantage, just more diluted.

I have a dog with flea allergies, one flea and she's set off and this keeps her in fine shape. 2 years ago she had a bald red butt.

I only gave two of my dogs one treatment this year at the beginning of the season and they haven't needed it again.

We have three dogs and 6 cats. I only put it on the two younger dog, my old dog is pushing 17 so I don't put any chems on her these days.

Maura · #10 11/19/09, 10:32 AM

Put some lavender essential oil on the flea bites to stop the itching.