Dog & Cat Fleas Can Cause More Than Itching

Fleas are probably the most successful creatures on the planet in terms of reproduction. There are over 2,400 species and they are difficult to control for a variety of reasons: One female flea will produce 25,000 offspring in one month. An unfed adult can live for several months. The chemicals used to eradicate adult fleas have no effect on the eggs. Fleas are very good at mutating to resist new pesticides.

Fleas are a menace to dogs & cats! They cause allergic dermatitis, tapeworms, and anemia. Most of the eggs are not laid on the dog & cat but, in their bedding, in the rug, and on the furniture. It is difficult to totally eradicate fleas completely. The most you can hope for is to control them and to keep your pets reasonably comfortable during the warm, moist flea season.

The best way to control dog & cat fleas is to remove them from your pets and your house. Call your local veterinarian for advice and ask about veterinary approved flea treatment and control medications.  Spraying or dipping your pets with a residual pesticide has little or no lasting effect.

Some dogs & cats are affected more using pesticides than they are by fleas. Flea collars, sprays, powders, and shampoos are all loaded with pesticides. If your pet is seriously affected and is scratching, your veterinarian can prescribe medication for the itching. It is also very important that you discuss with your veterinarian which products you should use on your pet to rid him (or her) of the fleas. There are a lot of products on the market that claim to get rid of fleas; not all of them work and some could be harmful to your pets.

From this point on, it is important for you to control the fleas in your pets’ environment.  Vacuum the carpets, furniture, and your pet’s bedding every day. Place the cut-off end of a flea collar, or a moth crystal, into your vacuum cleaner bag to kill any vacuumed adult fleas, flea eggs and empty your bag/canister daily outdoors into a garbage bag . Groom him/her daily with a flea comb. Do not be surprised if you occasionally find a flea. Your pets and you can bring them in from outside and from other homes. Remember, you cannot get rid of them completely, only control them.  It takes three (3) treatments 1x/monthly to begin to control the fleas in your pet’s environment!

Flea Prevention is the key to any successful flea control program, so call our office to discuss your flea prevention for your pets…!!!