Detecting and preventing fleas on your pet

We all dread the day our pet comes inside and begins itching all over the house. Fleas are a well known pest, and whilst we know that they are only a minor problem in terms of pet health, we hate the idea of our poor pet scratching themselves into a craze. There are a lot of different suggestions on how to get rid of a flea infestation, and Animal Friends is here to help.

Found Fleas? Here’s what to do...

First things first; seek advice from your vet. In many cases, pets can have allergies or bad reactions to flea medication, and should your dog have sensitive skin or already suffer from a skin infection then it is wise to first consult the vet. They can tell you which medicines to avoid and which treatments will help ease your animal friends’ suffering without causing discomfort.

You will have to treat both your pet and your home, as female fleas can survive for up to two years, and may lay up to 1000 eggs in this time, and these eggs hatch within ten days. Wall to wall carpets and soft furnishings can provide a safe haven for fleas, and they can survive equally well in cracks and crevices in bare floors. A flea is around 1-4 millimetres in length, brown and with legs adapted for jumping. Signs to watch out for include your pet itching excessively, and for the eggs and larvae which grow in the pets’ fur. These are dirty white in colour and are often easier to spot, dependant on animal colour.

To stop an infestation, it is necessary to vacuum carpets, furniture and pet bedding as this removes any fleas/eggs/larvae and prevents recurrences. Pets that have been treated using prescribed medicine must be treated regularly to avoid repeat infestations – this is especially prudent in summer months.

In order to prevent an infestation, keeping your pet in good hygiene is an excellent way to monitor their fur. By keeping them well bathed you will easily be able to recognise when an infestation does occur, and be ready to deal with it much sooner. Keeping them cleaner may also reduce the likelihood of them itching for other reasons, so any out of character scratching can be remedied immediately.

Can Fleas be transmitted to me from my pet? Do they present a health risk?

Although fleas prefer to feed on cats or dogs, they can and will feed on human blood as well. Despite this, they are not known to transmit any serious illness to humans. Although many people are not known to be affected by flea bites, some people may experience severe irritation after a flea bite and it is for this reason that you need to fully clean your home and remember to regularly dose your pet with anti-flea treatment. Should you contract fleas from your pet, there are a variety of human ‘friendly’ flea removers on the market as well.

Remember Animal Friends provides a comprehensive range of pet insurance products, so contact us on 0844 55 70 300 today to insure your pet against accident and injury