About flea combs
What is a flea comb and how do they work?
A flea comb is a fine-toothed comb that can be used to physically remove fleas, along with their eggs and larvae, from the fur of your pet. When passed through your dog’s or cat’s fur, the closely-spaced teeth of the comb work like a trap to quickly and effectively capture fleas. These can then be pulled out of your pet’s fur and killed/disposed of. Some combs are even equipped with a mild electric charge to zap and kill fleas instantly.
Who uses flea combs?
Flea combs are intended for pet owners tackling flea infestations. They can be used to remove large numbers of fleas from your pet’s fur, helping to relieve the itching and reduce the population. They are also an effective monitoring tool that can help to prevent re-infestation.
Unfortunately, a flea comb is unlikely to remove every single insect and egg. For the best results, use flea combs as part of an integrated pest management strategy to eliminate the infestation once and for all.
Buyer’s guide
What type of animal is your pet?
Flea combs intended for cats and dogs are usually very similar in design. However, a flea brush for dogs may not be as effective on the finer fur of your cat. Cats are generally more sensitive than dogs and more likely to feel discomfort during treatment and, for that reason, combs for cats are usually designed to alleviate this.
How long is your pet’s fur?
The length and thickness of your animal’s fur is an important factor to consider when buying a flea comb. Closely-spaced teeth are great for capturing large numbers of fleas but aren’t as good at coping with tangles and knots. Likewise, smaller combs may be unable to fully penetrate long or thick fur. Read the product spec carefully before making your purchase to ensure you pick the best product for your pet’s needs.
Top tips: how to use a flea comb effectively
De-tangle your pet before using a flea comb. Knots and tangles can damage the teeth of your flea comb and make the process more uncomfortable for your cat or dog. Make sure to brush their coat first (especially if they have long or thick fur) to help prevent this.
Have a bucket of warm, soapy water to hand. If you are using a basic (i.e. non-electric) comb, keep a bucket of soapy water nearby while you groom your pet. Dip the comb into this between strokes to remove and kill any fleas that get caught in the teeth.
Use a flea comb in combination with other pest control methods. Flea combs are a great way to reduce a flea infestation and make your pet more comfortable. However, they should be used in combination with other treatments (such as flea shampoo, sprays, flea collars, and other preventative control methods) to fully eliminate the fleas.
Conclusion
A flea infestation is every pet-owner’s worst nightmare. Fortunately, flea combs are an inexpensive and effective way to reduce their numbers, helping to quickly get the problem under control. Combs with sturdy, closely-spaced teeth, such as those sold by Oster and Safari, are a reliable way to trap and remove fleas from your fur baby. Electrified models, such as those sold by Epilady, provide an instant kill for even quicker flea removal.