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If you’re a dog or cat owner, you probably squirm at the notion of fleas attacking your precious pet. Fleas can feed on dogs, cats and other animals. A flea infestation can happen to your pets, even though you may try to avoid thinking about it. Find out some central details regarding flea control for dogs and cats here.
When it comes to furry friends, it’s never fun to have a flea problem, but that’s where pest experts can help. To prevent flea infestation, Ehrlich can treat your home or business to get rid of the fleas and make sure the infestation has disappeared. That way, your pets can live in an environment without fleas and you will feel much better knowing they are happy!
Fleas are common pests that can quickly find their way onto pets, causing discomfort and health problems. Understanding how dogs and cats get fleas and recognizing the signs early can help prevent a serious infestation.
Fleas are highly adaptable and can enter your home in various ways. They may latch onto your clothing or shoes or be introduced by wildlife nesting in attics or crawl spaces. Once inside, fleas quickly find their way to your pets, as adult fleas need a host to feed on blood and reproduce. Their rapid reproduction ensures that even a single encounter can lead to a significant infestation if left untreated.
Dogs and cats also get fleas through direct contact with infested animals, environments, or wildlife. Fleas can jump onto your pet from outdoor areas like grass, shrubs, or soil where fleas are present. Interaction with other animals, such as raccoons, skunks, or stray pets, can also expose your dog or cat to fleas.
Spotting fleas early can prevent a full-blown infestation. Female and male fleas release fecal pellets from the blood they consume. Flea larvae feed on these droppings, which appear as tiny black and white flecks on pet bedding, making it a key area to check for signs of fleas. Flea eggs and feces together often resemble tiny black and white specks.
Regularly inspect your pet’s skin for adult fleas, which can often cause scabs and irritation from bites. Pets suffering from flea bites will likely scratch and bite at their skin frequently, which may lead to secondary infections. If your dog or cat shows signs of persistent scratching, it could indicate a flea issue that needs prompt treatment.
Flea eggs are a major part of the flea infestation cycle, often falling off pets and spreading throughout your home. Recognizing and addressing all flea life cycle stages—from eggs to adults—is essential for effective flea control.
Fleas reproduce quickly. Adult fleas lay eggs on your pet, but these eggs often fall off and spread around your home. Flea larvae and pupae develop in these areas, especially in bedding and carpets, waiting for favorable conditions to emerge as adult fleas. Understanding these stages can help you target fleas at all points of their life cycle.
The flea life cycle involves four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Under ideal conditions, fleas can complete their life cycle in as little as two weeks, but eggs and larvae can remain dormant for months before becoming active. Breaking this cycle is critical to fully eradicating fleas.
Flea protection for pets requires consistent care and attention throughout the year. By implementing preventative measures like regular cleaning and using flea treatments, you can ensure your dog or cat stays comfortable and safe.
Flea prevention requires consistent, year-round attention to keep pets safe and comfortable. Learn some ways you can do your part to protect your dog or cat from fleas:
Additionally, reducing the presence of wild animals around your home can help limit the risk of flea infestations. For example, storing firewood and other materials off the ground can discourage rodents and other animals that carry fleas from nesting nearby. For more extensive infestations, steam cleaning carpets can also help reduce flea populations in your home.
Flea prevention is sometimes misunderstood. Here are a few common myths:
With the right precautions, you can effectively protect your pets from fleas and maintain a safe environment all year round.
Several flea treatment options are available to protect your pets, including oral medications, topical treatments, flea collars, and combination treatments. It's essential to consult with your veterinarian to choose the best option for your pet's needs.
Oral flea treatments are chewable tablets that kill fleas by affecting their nervous systems. These treatments are fast-acting and effective, often starting to work within hours. Oral medications are ideal for pets that dislike topical treatments and provide a reliable solution for both large dogs and smaller pets.
Topical flea treatments, like Frontline and Advantage II, are applied directly to the pet's skin. These treatments spread across the body, offering long-lasting protection, usually for up to 30 days. They are water-resistant after application, ensuring your pet stays protected even if they get wet, and often repel ticks as well, providing an added layer of defense. Before using any flea treatment, it's important to consult with your veterinarian to ensure it's safe and suitable for your pet's specific needs.
Flea collars, such as the Seresto collar, release active ingredients that protect against fleas and ticks for extended periods, sometimes up to eight months. These collars are convenient and effective, though choosing a collar suited to your pet’s life stage and weight is essential for optimal safety.
Combination treatments target fleas, ticks, and other parasites like heartworms. Options such as Revolution, Sentinel Spectrum, and PetArmor offer multi-parasite protection. In addition to combating fleas, these treatments are particularly useful in areas with high tick or heartworm prevalence. Before starting any combination treatment, it’s crucial to consult with your veterinarian to ensure it's the right choice for your pet’s health and safety.
Our pet-friendly flea control services target fleas on pets and flea eggs, larvae, and pupae in your home. Our technicians understand fleas' behaviors and life cycles, allowing us to tailor our treatment to eradicate fleas thoroughly.
By choosing Ehrlich for flea control, you gain peace of mind knowing that our solutions are safe and effective, protecting both your pet and your living environment. Let our experts help you provide your pet with a happy, healthy, and comfortable space.
Customized, industry-specific treatments to eliminate fleas with minimum disruption
Check for common signs like flea dirt, eggs and scratching pets to see if you have a flea problem
The most effective flea treatments for animals often include oral medications and topical treatments. Popular products include Nexgard, Bravecto, and Simparica for dogs. For cats, products like Frontline and Advantage II are widely recommended for their ability to kill fleas efficiently and offer ongoing protection.
Baking soda is not effective as a flea treatment for dogs. While some believe it may help reduce itching or act as a natural remedy, it does not kill fleas and should not be relied on as a primary treatment. For effective flea control, consider vet-approved topical or oral flea medications.
Vinegar may help repel fleas due to its strong smell, but it does not kill fleas on contact. While vinegar can be added to a dog’s bath in diluted form, it is not a substitute for proven flea treatments. Using a vet-recommended flea shampoo or a fast-acting medication is more effective in eliminating fleas.
Common treatments for cats include Frontline, Advantage II, and Revolution. These treatments kill fleas on contact and prevent future infestations. Seresto collars also provide up to eight months of flea and tick protection. Always consult with your veterinarian before using any product on your pet to ensure it’s safe and suitable for their needs.
Popular dog flea treatments include Capstar, an oral treatment that works quickly and is often used with longer-term solutions like topical treatments or chewable tablets such as Nexgard or Bravecto for ongoing protection. Be sure to consult with your vet to determine the best option for your pet.
While some natural home remedies for fleas, like diluted lemon spray or apple cider vinegar rinses, are thought to repel fleas, they are not as effective as commercial treatments. The safest and most effective way to kill fleas is by using a vet-approved flea treatment. Homemade remedies can occasionally support a flea control plan but should not be relied upon as a primary method.