subject: How To Perform Flea Control For Cats And Dogs [print this page] Fleas reproduce at such a fast rate that things can get out of control very quickly. Spring might kick off flea, but prevention requires year-round effort.
Treat your pet and your home to keep fleas in check and stop your pet feeling jumpy.
Is your pet scratching?
Can you see tiny dark specks in its fur, or small browny-black insects scurrying about?
Do you have any unaccounted for insect bites yourself?
If you've answered yes' to any of these questions it could mean fleas.
Flea treatment
It is essential to treat both your pet and your home, as fleas can survive in the environment without a host for many months.
Visit your vet for advice on the best products to treat your pet and your home.
Clean bedding regularly and vacuum furniture, floors and skirting boards thoroughly to help destroy fleas at each stage of their life cycle.
Throw away the dustbag from your vacuum after each use to prevent any flea eggs and larvae from developing.
Only give your pet flea treatment that has been recommended for it, ideally as prescribed by a vet for your individual pet.
Products suitable for one species may not be suitable for another; for example dog flea treatments contain permethrin, an insecticide that is safe for use on dogs but which is highly toxic to cats.
Irritable host
Not only can flea bites make your pet uncomfortable and itchy but they can also bring a host of other problems...
Pets can be hypersensitive to flea saliva and suffer an allergic reaction.
Fleas feed on blood, so young or frail animals can become weak and even die as a result of blood loss.
Flea larvae can become infected with tapeworm eggs. If your pet eats an infected flea when grooming it can also become host to this parasite. If your pet has fleas you should also make sure your pet is treated for worms.
Fleas can also pass diseases to your pets. For example, myxomatosis is a serious disease in rabbits which can be spread by fleas.
You can prevent fleas becoming a problem by regularly treating both your pet and your home. This may need to be done all year round if your home is centrally heated.
For more helpful information, check out our main page here:
