Spring is on the way so it is time to think about FLEAS!

Firstly a few facts:

Did you know a single female flea can lay 30-40 eggs in just one day, that's 280 eggs a week! They will hatch in a further 4-12 days. Flea eggs hatch into larvae which move away from light and downwards. This means that they are usually found deep in the carpet pile, bedding and / or beds.

Fleas are one of the most common parasites to hop onto your cat or dog but they are easy to control if you follow a few simple rules.

So...How do you know your pet has fleas?

Well they will probably be biting and scratching!!! But you may not see any actual fleas as your pet can groom them out before you get the chance to find them. The easiest way to check is to collect some “Flea dirt”, check their necks or perhaps the base of their tail. If you see little specs of "dirt" get some damp cotton wool and dab the area. Check the cotton wool, has it got a some red colour on it? If yes you can be certain that your pet has been in recent contact with fleas. The Flea dirt is actually dry blood!

So what can I do?

Prevention is key!

As with most things prevention is better than cure, it can take months to obliterate fleas once they get into your home. There are various products you can use. Flea treatmants for dogs, or Flea treatments for cats  the choice is yours. What ever you chose make sure you follow the manufacturers instructions carefully.

Why not start treatment now, dont wait till your pet starts scratching!

Ok, I was a bit slow and I think my pet has fleas

Dont worry...we all do it, you just have a little more work to do!

Firstly Treat EVERY cat and dog in the house. It doesn't matter what you use, or whether you can actually see fleas on all your pets, ALWAYS treat every cat and dog in the house. Once that is done move onto the house. Treat ALL areas of the house making sure you also treat the pets bedding and beds. There are various products on the market to choose from.

Persevere.

In most cases, flea infestations should clear within a few days. However, flea eggs laid around your home can survive in the carpet, bedding and/or beds for up to 9 months. During this time, they can hatch and jump back aboard the pet whatever treatment you use. This doesn’t mean that the product you are using isn’t working. Just that the existing infestation is clearing.

You might be able to speed up the "house cleansing" process by turning the heat up a fraction, this can cause dormant fleas to hatch quicker and fall into your trap. Your newly treated pet can help you here. A treated pet is a walking flea trap. As new fleas jump on board they will meet the same fate as their earlier siblings!