Ask most pet owners what they worry about most in the warmer months of the year and fleas will be right there at the top of the list. But depending upon where you and your pet live fleas may not just be a summer problem. As long as it is fairly warm outside – 60 F or above – fleas can thrive, especially if it is a bit humid as well. So if you live in an area where it never gets too cold fleas can be a year round concern.
How Do Fleas Get Onto Dogs and Cats
Contrary to what some people mistakenly believe fleas do not fly, they do not have wings. They do however have six very powerful little legs and can jump very high. A flea is usually no bigger then ⅙ of an inch but they can jump up to 8 inches in the air. That is the insect equivalent of a human jumping over a skyscraper! They are also pretty good long jumpers as well.
Most dogs and cats come into contact with fleas outside. If you have both cats and dogs the cats may never go outside but they are not safe from fleas because those brought inside by their canine companions can easily make the “leap” to them as well.
Once they have found an animal host fleas are not keen to go anywhere as the pet is providing a constant source of food – blood – for them. If the animal is indoors they may hop off to lay their eggs on a nice warm carpet but they will go right back to their new animal “friend” once they get hungry again.
Fleas will also lay their eggs right on their host animal’s fur and newly hatched fleas can thrive there too, so when you are trying to get rid of fleas from your cat or dog you are in fact facing three different challenges.
How to Spot Fleas on Your Pet
Fleas are not big fans of bright light so they tend to hide on areas of a dog or cat’s body that are harder to spot. Some animals are prone to itchy dry skin anyway, so itching is not always a sign that fleas are present but it is worth investigating. You may be able to spot the brownish fleas scurrying across areas of your pets skin with your naked eye but that will not always be the case, especially if your pet has darker skin.
Another sign that fleas are present is flea dirt. Flea dirt is (yes this is gross) flea feces and you can check for it by running a damp paper towel all over your pet’s coat. However you find them though it is important that you begin a flea treatment program as soon as possible to stop the problem from getting worse.
Dogs and Cats and Flea Bites
For most dogs and cats flea bites are a painful and irritating annoyance that may cause them to scratch whole areas of their bodies until all the fur is gone. For a few animals though flea bites can be more of a problem than that, causing tapeworm and anemia. That is why even if you perform flea treatment at home you should still make an appointment for your pet at their veterinarian’s office, just to make sure that the flea bites have caused no serious harm.
Flea Treatment Options for Cats and Dogs
Flea shampoos and flea powders have been around for years but they have a very limited effectiveness and the treatment may need to be supplemented with one of the newer flea medications that are available today. These come in a couple of different forms: topical solutions like Frontline flea control or in pill form like Capstar flea control.
Many of these medicines act differently. Capstar flea control kills adult fleas and older larvae very quickly, in about 6 hours, but may not always get rid of all the eggs and the same is true for some topical medications. In this case a different medication may have to be used to kill the eggs before they hatch and the problem starts all over again.
Although you can buy these treatments in stores and online it is still best to ask your vet which medications they recommend for your particular pet. Some flea medications are not recommended for young animals or for those who are in their “senior years” so consulting your vet before giving animals like this any kind of flea treatment is important.
Preventing the Return of the Fleas
Once your pet is initially flea free you have to work a little to keep them that way. At this point dog flea control and cat flea control is very important. The first thing you have to ensure, for your own sake as much as your pets, is that their environment, your home, is flea free. This can be achieved with a lot of washing of fabrics, a lot of vacuuming and occasionally a chemical treatment like a pest fogger.
You can buy all kinds of chemicals in stores to get rid of fleas in the home but if you are going to try this yourself be very careful. Some of these chemicals are harmful to animals and to children. Often if the flea infestation in your home is still a problem after all the through cleaning is done calling in a professional pest exterminator is the safest move for everyone in the house. It may cost a little more but you will be making sure that you are not doing more harm than good in your attempts to solve your flea problems.
In terms of flea protection you should consult with your vet about using one of the various flea prevention treatments available today that are designed to be used throughout the warmer months to keep fleas away. A flea collar can be a good extra protection as well, especially if your pet spends a lot of time outside.
