Keeping Your Pets ‘Flea Free’

Hi everyone,

We thought it important to share some very useful tips on fleas by our friends over at the PDSA as the cold months are slowly coming ot an end and with spring the risk of fleas will once again increase.

Especially after we recently posted about the horribly sad story of Casper and his siblings last year! 🙁

Thanks,

Marc

Keeping Your Pets ‘Flea Free’

The UK has enjoyed long periods of warm sunshine last year, and while it’s meant delightful days of basking in the sunshine for us, this has often lead to big problems when it comes to fleas for our feline friends. As we don’t know what the summer will bring this year it’s best to prepare adequatly for this.

PDSA Vet, Olivia Anderson-Nathan, says: “A key part of responsible pet ownership is regular and appropriate protection from parasites such as fleas and worms. Due to their lifecycle, fleas can be a problem for even the most diligent of owners. This year’s long, hot summer means fleas will be happily multiplying, causing a problem for our pets and our homes.

“People, as well as pets, can bring fleas and their larvae into their homes on clothing and shoes. So even indoor-only pets require regular flea treatments to prevent a problem.”

Here are Olivia’s top tips for dealing with fleas:

  • Choose the correct product – Speak to your local vet about which product is most effective for your pet and get your pet weighed so the correct dose can be given.
  • Treat regularly – follow the specific instructions for each product. Check the product label or ask your vet if you’re not sure how often the product you have needs to be given. Mark the date for giving the next dose on your calendar to avoid breaks in treatment, which can provide an opportunity for fleas to infest your home.
  • Never use a dog flea treatment on a cat, as these can contain chemicals that can cause fatal poisoning in cats.
  • Treat all your pets – it’s important to treat all the pets in your house regularly because fleas can jump straight from one species to another. Pets that live outside should also be treated.
  • Treat your house – flea eggs and larvae live in soft furnishings. If you’re dealing with a flea infestation, make sure you wash your pet’s bedding and blankets at 60 degrees, and thoroughly vacuum and spray your home, or it will take much longer to get rid of fleas.
  • Treat for other parasites – fleas can lead to other problems such as tapeworms, so regular worming is also important.

Grooming your pets regularly is not just a good way to keep your pet’s coat in perfect condition, it also gives you the chance to check for any skin problems. Some pets are allergic to flea saliva, so even just one flea bite can cause a reaction; their skin will become seriously itchy, which can easily lead to a skin infection. Keep an eye out for red, inflamed skin especially in the area where their tail meets their body. If you spot anything that concerns you then call your vet for advice. The fleas themselves may not be seen, as they are very fast movers!

PDSA is the UK’s leading vet charity. We’re on a mission to improve pet wellbeing through prevention, education, and treatment. Funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery helps us reach even more pet owners with vital advice and information. www.pdsa.org.uk

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6 thoughts on “Keeping Your Pets ‘Flea Free’

  1. floridaborne says:

    With 8 dogs, 3 cats, and weather that is warm enough for fleas 8 months out of the year, it’s always a challenge. Everything has to be treated. The flea treatment that worked last year might not be the one that works this year. It’s an on-going battle.

    • Marc-André says:

      Gosh I forgot about your warm climate. And yeah flees can get resistant to a lot of the stuff on the market…

  2. Crystal says:

    Could I add a tip if I may? I learned this the hard way. Anytime you want to use a spray or liquid on your cat, be sure to read all warnings and directions. Some flea sprays and liquids will say this is toxic to your cat or something along those lines. Make sure you read the labels before buying. It will save you time and money in the long run. Also, make sure cats are old enough to be flea dipped. When in doubt check with a vet. I lost a cat(had her for only a week) because the people refused to listen to us when we told them she was to young to be flea dipped.

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