|
|
As the dog days of summer are coming to an end, there is one little parasite that keeps the summer hopping in warm, humid areas where he reigns. With nearly 2000 species and supspecies, the flea thrives at temperatures of 65 to 80 degrees and feeds on the blood of the unsuspecting - especially cats and dogs. Fleas are hearty and nimble pests and when they are searching for a host, are able to jump up to 2 feet, 10,000 times in a row. That adds up to nearly the length of 3 football fields! They can also cause many health problems to our companion animals such as anemia, skin allergies, and tapeworms. These giant leapers are very tough to fight. Below are a few tips that will rub your pet the right way. * Know your enemy - Confirm that your dog or cat has fleas by searching for signs such as droppings or "flea dirt" in your pet's coat, and if your pet is scratching excessively or has scabs. * What goes around comes around - Treat all of your pets, not only the ones who are showing outward signs of infestation. * Shine on Pet Parent - Thoroughly clean your house, including rugs, bedding, upholstery, and be sure to discard any used vacuum bags. * Trim nature's gifts - Since fleas love long grass and shady outdoor spots, remember to treat your yard as carefully as your house. * Talk with your Vet - Talk to your vet about choosing the right, Species-Specific treatment for your pet. There are many different products such as a topical, liquid insecticide applied to the back of the neck. NEVER use products for dogs on cats and vise versa. You may want to ask your vet to recomment products for treating your yard as well. Cats are especially sensitive to insecticides and can die from improper use of flea control products. Just a few drops of concentrated permethrin, present in many spot-on treatments for dogs, can mean death for a cat. Be sure to read all product labels and follow directions for proper use. |