All About Fleas

How do I know if my dog or cat has fleas?

Pick a time to inspect your pet when they are feeling relaxed. This could be after feeding or after a nap, for example.

Comb your pets’ fur, gently focusing on areas where fleas like to hang out such as around their head, on their tummy and around their tail.

If your cat or dog has long hair, use a comb to part their fur so you can see down to the roots. This is where fleas are most active and where you may be able to see remnants of flea activity – yes, we mean flea droppings!

Flea droppings look very similar to small pieces of soil or dirt. To tell which of these it might be, use a comb to brush their hair onto a piece of wet tissue. Flea droppings are easy to recognise, as when they hit the wet tissue, they release a red ring onto the tissue. Disgustingly, this red ring is actually undigested blood from your pet.

Your pet may indicate to you that they have fleas. This could be by itching, scratching or over-grooming. If your pet is sensitive or allergic to flea bites you may notice sores, lesions or damaged patches of hair on their skin when you are grooming or petting them.

· Just because you cannot see any fleas on your pet doesn’t mean they are free from infestation. Your cat or dog may be able to groom fleas away themselves, but they are unable to eradicate them completely.

Flea facts

· Female fleas can lay up to 50 eggs per day. They need a blood meal from your pet to ensure they have enough energy to lay eggs. Adult female fleas can lay up to 2000 eggs in their very short lives.

· Winter does not kill fleas. Because our homes have central heating, we have created an environment where fleas can live all year round. Even outside, flea eggs can lay dormant for up to nine months.

· Only 5% of the flea population in your home is made up of adult fleas. The rest is pupae (15%), larvae (30%) and eggs (50%).

When is flea season?

The peak flea season is usually considered to be the summer months. Between June and September, the fleas can breed and live happily outside, waiting to jump on your pet and hitch a ride to your home.

The weather conditions in the summer months are ideal for fleas. The life cycle speeds up and even dormant fleas can hatch out and complete their life cycle.

Because female fleas can lay up to 50 eggs per day, you could have an infestation of up to 20,000 fleas on your pet and in your home within two months!

Your pet can pick up fleas when out and about in parks, gardens or even in your friends’ homes!

I think my pet has fleas, what should I do?

Don’t panic! Many pet owners experience a flea problem, and while it can seem daunting if this is the first time, there are lots of things you can do to combat it.

· Make sure you use a monthly parasite protection. These come as either spot on pipettes, or as tablets. Treating your pet all year round will help ensure fleas cannot breed effectively.

· Make sure to continue treatment, even in winter. Because our pets live in houses with central heating, temperatures remain high enough to ensure fleas can thrive all year round.

· Try to use a flea comb on your cat or dog regularly. These will help you to see if there are any fleas on your pet. Also, if used regularly, it will keep any new arrivals from infesting your pets and home.

· Remember that your pet is not the only place where fleas set up camp. Only 5% of the flea population lives on your pet, the other 95% live in your home.

How can I get rid of fleas in my home?

So, we know how to treat your pet for fleas, but how do you get rid of them from your home?

· Wash all of your blankets, bedding and soft furnishings – especially those that belong to your pets! These need to be washed at a high temperature.

· Thoroughly hoover your house and car. Try to get in all the nooks and crannies, such as around skirting boards, with the crevice tool and remember to empty the canister or hoover bag into an outside bin afterwards.

· Use a household flea spray on all of your carpets, flooring and skirting boards, again, paying attention to any cracks and crevices. You can also treat any pet beds or soft furnishings which are unable to be washed in the washing machine.

· Any unhatched flea eggs buried deep in the carpet should be encouraged to hatch after the steps above have been taken. To do this you should increase the temperature in your home by turning up the central heating for seven days, and thoroughly vacuuming all of the carpets regularly. The combination of warmth and vibration will cause any remaining flea eggs to hatch out. Any fleas which hatch after using a household spray will be killed.

The steps listed above should help you to implement a comprehensive flea control plan to keep your pets and home flea free. By sticking to the plan, even outside of peak flea season, you will be able to keep fleas under control.