Pet Flea Prevention

What are Fleas?

Fleas are small, brown or black, wingless, rapid-moving insects that feed on blood by biting animals.

I’ve only seen one flea on my pet, how bad can it be?

Fleas are the cause of:

• Anemia
• Fleas Allergy Dermatitis
• Tapeworms (parasite)
• Flea-borne Murine Typhus (bacterial)
• Plague (bacterial)
• Cat Scratch Fever (bacterial)

The Life Cycle of the Flea

Completion of the life cycle from egg to adult ranges from 2-4 weeks.

How quickly can fleas reproduce?

Reproduction of just ONE female flea:

• Begin egg production within 24 to 36 hours after first blood meal
• Can reach egg production of 40 to 50 eggs per day
• Can produce eggs for more than 50 days
• Just ONE female fleas can produce 2,000 eggs in her lifetime

My pet is just itchy; I didn’t see any fleas.

Fleas are the most common external parasite of dogs and cats. Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD) is the most common skin disease in dogs and cats. It only takes one bite from one flea to start an allergic reaction in the skin. The pet becomes itchy, and the skin is irritated. Some pets need medical attention for skin infections caused by scratching due to flea bites.

Treatment, Prevention and Control

The ideal flea control program utilizes products that target all of the flea life cycle stages, not just the adult fleas, to help you select the most appropriate products to achieve a flea-free existence for them.

#1: Treat all pets in the household monthly, year-round.

Having a flea infestation it will take up to 3 to 4 months to kill all fleas the all the life stages to get rid of your flea problem.

Once you have started treating for a flea infestation, because of the flea cycle, you will see the flea infestation get worse before it gets better.

Products Available for Pets

1. Topical products usually are applied every 30 days.

*Do not use dog topicals on cats; it can be fatal.

2. Oral Prescription from a doctor, given every 30 days.

3. Collars, some last up to 8 months. Must have contact with the skin (shaving dense hair around where the collar will sit.)

Click here for over-the-counter products.

Click here to make an appointment with the vet for oral prescriptions.

Treating the Environment

Treating the house:

Vacuum areas frequently

• Floors (even non-carpet, cracks)
• Corners/ Wall edges
• On and under the furniture
• Any other low traffic areas
• *Discard the bag after each use or empty the bin, outside

Steam clean/ Wash frequently items (if possible):

• Carpets/Rugs
• Bedding/Blankets
• Anything that the pet has laid on

After everything has been cleaned, treat with Knockout Spray (use as directed.)

*Make sure it dried before allowing your pets back into the treated areas.

Treating the yard:

• Wildlife carry fleas, remove any vermin.
• Use Virbac Yard Spray once a month in the shady areas of the yard. *Apply in the evening and allow to dry overnight before allowing your pets back into the treated areas.

Click here to visit our online store.

Should I continue to use flea prevention during the winter months?

In this climate, absolutely!

Fleas will continue to develop even during the winter months. Fleas lie and wait in their environment (our houses) until conditions improve.

The fact that you don’t notice any fleas on your pet does not necessarily mean there are no fleas in your environment. Those you do see only represent a small percentage that are actually in your area.

(insert flea pyramid)

It is much easier to prevent flea infestation than to have to work to eliminate them from your pet and your home.