How long after applying flea treatment can I bathe my dog?

C
Chichil Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone, I was just wondering how long I should wait before giving my dog a bath after applying flea treatment? I can't quite remember exactly which day I put it on, but I think it was Friday, so it's been three days now.

Thanks in advance for any advice! 😊

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12 answers
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  • L
    Lea65000 Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi everyone. I applied a spot-on flea treatment to my dog on Tuesday. Does anyone know how long I should wait before giving her a bath? Also, is it okay to apply another spot-on 48 hours after her next bath? Thanks in advance for your replies! 😁😁
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    Doudou229
    Doudou229 Icon representing the flag French
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    I used to do that too – diatomaceous earth (in winter) when she wasn't swimming, and spot-on treatments from spring through to autumn. Even then, with Volka I hardly had to bother; she just wasn't the type of girl to catch anything. Oxane is a different story, though. Between her flea allergy and yeast atopy, it’s a real nightmare with her... Cuddles every evening and the tick tool kept close at hand... Bravecto worked for Oxane (given once when she was a puppy). Even though I’m grateful to Bravecto for clearing up her allergy in less than three days, I was too nervous to use it a second time...
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    B
    Bangdji Icon representing the flag French
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    Around here, spot-on treatments like Frontline and Advantix hardly work anymore, as I mentioned before. Our vet told us that this is becoming more and more common in our area; because people overuse these chemicals—treating their pets all year round even outside of flea and tick season, and since everyone has been using them for so long anyway—the parasites have built up a resistance to them. Nowadays, only the tablets seem to work properly, but I find them really harsh on a dog's system (just my personal opinion), so I only use them as a last resort.

    We only treat now if there’s a major flea infestation or during the height of tick season. Otherwise, it’s diatomaceous earth and tick checks after every walk, and every time we have a cuddle during the tick season, along with using a flea comb, and so on.

    We’ve tried flea collars, but none of them ever worked. Three days was the most we got out of them. Mind you, during tick season it’s warm and my dogs are big paddlers, so that probably doesn't help either.

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    Doudou229
    Doudou229 Icon representing the flag French
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    After all the flea trouble I've had with natural spot-on treatments and diatomaceous earth, I reluctantly decided to use Advantix spot-ons to finally get rid of the pests... but yesterday, I noticed a bit of scratching under the chin and some nibbling on a paw (the last dose was on the 24th of March). I’m going to apply it again. There are just so many ticks and fleas around here at the moment...
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    B
    Bangdji Icon representing the flag French
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    Personally, for me and my big swimmers, I wait 3 days before their first dip, and we even avoid going out in the rain if they’ve had a spot-on treatment in the last 48 hours.

    Like Doudou, it really doesn't last long at all for us. I'd say about a week for ticks and two for fleas.

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    Doudou229
    Doudou229 Icon representing the flag French
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    Depending on the spot-on treatment and its ingredients, I reckon giving them a bath afterwards might weaken the repellent or protective effect... even though the manufacturers say you can wash them 24 hours later.

    I’ve got Retrievers (Labs and Goldens) and those spot-on treatments never actually last for the full four weeks...

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    C
    Chichil Icon representing the flag French
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    Yes @Chichil, a good brush and a proper rinse should be enough... our dogs' skin is much healthier without too many shampoos throughout the year... unless they've had a roll in a carcass, some nasty muck, a slurry pit... or the bin...

    Fair enough, thanks a lot!

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    Doudou229
    Doudou229 Icon representing the flag French
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    Yeah @Chichil, a good brush and a proper rinse should be enough... Our dogs' skin is much healthier when we don't over-shampoo them during the year... unless they've had a roll in a carcass, some nasty muck, a slurry pit... or the bin...
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    C
    Chichil Icon representing the flag French
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    Since we’ve got three Chihuahuas, we usually give them a bath a week later ;)

    That’s great, thanks so much!

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    C
    Chichil Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi Chichil, it all depends on the flea treatment... whether it's a spot-on pipette or something else, like a spray or diatomaceous earth. After a spot-on, I usually wait 48 hours before letting them go for a swim, and for a proper bath, even longer. After a wash (using shampoo), I’d wait another 48 hours before applying a new pipette, if you’re doing it monthly. For example, with plant-based treatments (natural active ingredients) or chemical ones like Advantix or Frontline, it’s about 24 hours, but I’d say 48 hours just to be safe. Why do you want to wash your dog? Is he really dirty? Has there been an accident? During flea and tick season, a simple rinse with water after a swim—even in the sea—is usually enough. A full shampoo should really only happen 2 or 3 times a year at most. I used a spot-on treatment on him and didn't think to wash him beforehand. I wanted to give him a bath because he was out in the rain and hid under my fir hedges, so he’s got quite mucky. Since he gets on the sofas and beds, I’d like him to be clean... Do you think I should just give him a rinse then?
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