Fleas can be one of the most irritating bugs your pet can have on them. While these bugs are small, they can cause severe itching and irritation on your pets. Dogs and cats tend to catch these bugs while playing outside, especially in warm climates.
A flea infestation can be a problem for your dog and cat, but thankfully, there are many things that you can do to avoid further issues. On this page, we’re going to review some of the most efficient methods to get rid of fleas on dogs and cats.
What Are Fleas?
Fleas are extremely tiny insects that often range from one to three millimeters in length. It’s important to note that fleas are wingless insects, meaning that they mostly jump to move from one place to another.
One of the main problems with fleas is that they’re often hard to spot due to their small size. Additionally, these bugs tend to reproduce extremely quickly, especially in home environments with pets in them.
These insects typically live in a dog or cat’s skin, although they can also go into other animals or humans. Fleas can often breed in bedding, carpets, or your yard. If you have a big garden where your pets play, there’s a high chance that they got fleas from there.
Fleas are attracted to pets because these insects’ food supply is blood, and they can easily jump into your pet’s skin and suck in as much as they want. Keep in mind that if your dog or cat plays outside but sleeps inside your home, you may be at risk of taking fleas into your property, which can be a nuisance for your family.
Are Dog Fleas and Cat Fleas the Same?
Dog fleas and cat fleas are slightly different from one another, but they can infect both cats and dogs equally. You cannot see the difference visually, so you have to look at the symptoms your pet is experiencing to take a guess.
Cat fleas are known as Ctenocephalides felis, whereas dog fleas are called Ctenocephalides canis. Both flea species can affect cats, dogs, and other animals. Additionally, these flies can carry the tapeworm parasite, which can be dangerous for both your dog and cat.
The dog flea is mostly found in Europe, although it may also be seen in North America. On the contrary, the cat flea is more common in North America than in the rest of the world.
What Problems Can Fleas Cause on Your Dogs or Cats?
Fleas can be a big nuisance for you, your family, and your pets. Dogs and cats tend to be the primary home for these insects, which is why they’re the most likely to experience the symptoms that come from a flea infestation in your property.
Typically, fleas can survive up to two weeks without a host, but they can easily attach to your pet if they usually stay outdoors. If a female flea attaches to your dog or cat, she can lay up to 50 eggs daily, which can turn into a huge problem in the future.
Many health problems may come from flea bites in your pet’s skin. First, they may experience itchy skin, irritation, hair loss, and more. In severe cases, your pet can develop allergy dermatitis, anemia, and tapeworm infections.
Thankfully, most of these symptoms are easy to identify, so if you notice your pet is experiencing some kind of discomfort, you may begin taking action to help it.
How to Tell Your Pet Has Fleas
As mentioned before, flea bites are not hard to notice on pets. If you pay enough attention to your dog or cat’s behavior, you may be able to tell when they’re experiencing one of the symptoms explained above.
The most common indicator that your pet has fleas is if your dog or cat scratches its skin excessively. Remember that flea bites tend to leave an animal’s skin swollen, which makes it itchy. On the other hand, if you notice that your pet is biting its fur or legs continually, it may have a flea problem too.
Another visible indicator of a flea infestation is hair patches. If there’s prolonged damage and swelling on your pet’s skin, you’re going to notice a significant patch of hair loss. Typically, these hair patches can be found on the dog/cat’s neck or tail.
Finally, you may be able to notice some small spots in your pet’s fur that be fleas. For example, if you see white specks in your pet’s coat, they may be flea eggs. Furthermore, if you notice black specks in the same areas, you may be looking at the fleas themselves.
How to Prevent Fleas
Taking care of flea bites fast is key if you want to keep your dog or cat safe. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to take care of the problem and prevent any further flea infestations:
If your pet already has fleas in its body, you may mitigate the damage by brushing it with a flea comb, which is used to remove fleas entirely. Once you’re done, you may give your pet a deep bath with soap and warm water, although you may also use specialized flea shampoos, which are designed to kill fleas, larva, eggs, and other bugs.
In case your pet sustained prolonged damage due to flea bites, the best thing you can do is talk to a veterinarian to get expert advice. When your dog or cat is free of fleas, you may invest in flea collars for your pet, flea pills, and topical treatments to keep these bugs away from your pet.
Additionally, you must clean your home and yard thoroughly to ensure that there are not flea larvae or eggs in your bedding. If you want maximum efficacy, you may purchase a yard spray, which specializes in killing fleas nearby.
Conclusion
Fleas can easily turn into a big problem for your dog, cat, or family. Fortunately, flea bites are easy to treat, and they don’t pose any serious health hazards if you take care of the problem quickly.
If you notice your pet has a flea infestation problem, you must ensure that you don’t panic and take all the necessary measures to get rid of them as effectively as possible. The key to preventing bug infestations in your pets is to pay attention to them, so make sure to keep them clean at all times!
If you’re looking for the right team to handle the issue for you, Synergy² is here to help. We provide trusted services throughout the area, so contact us for the best pest control services around.
Feel free to read more about us and decide if Synergy² is the right company for you. We have over 270 Five-Star Google reviews for pest control service in the Jackson metro area (Jackson/Madison/Brandon/Ridgeland). Check out our newest location reviews for pest control service in Jackson, MS here at Synergy² Jackson Pest Control!