Say No to fleas!

We live in Texas and if you have pets, it is not a matter of if you have ever had fleas but when will you get them. It is always flea season here! At some time in your pet’s life, they are likely to get fleas. But just because it is common does not mean that it should be ignored. Just 1 female flea can lay as many as 40 to 50 eggs a day and over 2000 eggs in her lifetime. The longer you wait the bigger the problem can get.

There are several ways fleas can easily invade your home and make themselves comfortable on your pets:

• Socializing with other pets and other environments they visit.
• Your dog can catch them from other household pets.
• These pesky fleas can hitch a ride on you or your clothing into your home.

By far, the best way to help avoid a flea infestation is to keep your pet protected against fleas with a regular flea prevention protocol. There is a range of treatment options available that help to protect your pet against fleas and keeping up with regular treatment is a lot less hassle than trying to evict fleas from your home!

Do I need to treat fleas? Can fleas hurt my pet?

Yes! Fleas can cause more problems than itching.

• Your pet’s constant scratching may lead to visible patches of hair loss and reddened, irritated skin that can cause infection.
• Fleas can transmit tapeworms. A tapeworm is flea larvae your pet gets from ingesting a flea.
• A severe infestation can cause anemia and death in some cases.

Why does my pet have fleas if it is on flea prevention?

Getting rid of fleas can be frustrating, costly, and time-consuming preventing them is better than getting rid of them.  Just remember if you can see fleas and you administer our recommended flea preventative as prescribed it is likely that your flea prevention IS working, and they are dying. Healthy fleas are very quick and move out of the way as they feel the vibration of you moving your pet’s hair. If you do not see any flea dirt (poop) it probably means that you have picked up some hitchhikers on your last walkie. If you see flea dirt your pet might have fleas in their immediate environment, and you need to treat your home and yard.

How do I get rid of fleas?

Make a plan, act quickly, re-treat in 3 weeks, and stick to the plan!

STEP #1 CALL YOUR VET

Make sure your pets are protected with a flea and tick preventative that is recommended by your veterinarian.

STEP #2 TREAT YOUR HOME

In all cases, you need to wash bedding and linens. Wash all your pet’s belongings, including blankets and even toys in hot water. Vacuum all soft surfaces, under furniture and floors. Mop hard flooring down with a damp mop. Dispose of the vacuum canister debris or the vacuum bag outside of the home. Live fleas are in there, as well as hatching eggs that can re-infest your home.

• Treat all soft surfaces with a pet and kid-safe household flea spray.
• Treat cushions, curtains, and sofas will also need to be treated. This can be done either with a household flea spray or by washing on a hot wash. If it is not possible to treat a soft surface, consider thoroughly vacuuming it. Fleas love dark places, so spray under furniture and in crevices.
•  Sweep tile or wood floors, and vacuum carpets, rugs, and under furniture frequently. Empty the vacuum canister or bag outside of the home. Live fleas are in there as well as hatching eggs that can re-infest your home.

STEP #3 Treat your Yard 

Treat your yard – Even if you have an indoor-only cat. Treat your yard with a yard spray before they come into your home on your shoes, clothing, or pet with a yard spray. Be sure to follow the instructions closely. Re-treat your yard in 3 weeks to eliminate any fleas that have hatched in between treatments.

We can not stress the importance of administering flea and tick preventative all year long to prevent an infestation of fleas. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about the protection of your pet.