Good Riddance, Fleas! How to Control Those Nasty Buggers
Good Riddance, Fleas! How to Control Those Nasty Buggers
One spring, my indoor-only kitty named Sybil started raising her back legs with increasing frequency – to scratch behind her ears and under her chin. The fact that she scratched herself at all was strange; Sybil just wasn’t one of those cats that had a lot of itches to attend to. So I knew something was up.
A friend suggested that maybe my lovely feline had picked up a case of the fleas. At that, my mouth dropped open. I was horrified by the suggestion. After all, Sybil was a princess of a cat who never, ever went outside. My friend told me to look through her fur and check for black flecks… and, well, there they were! Those black flecks, or “flea dirt,” are actually flea droppings (yuck) and are tell-tale signs of a flea problem.
After some quick research, I found out that, yes, indoor pets can indeed pick up fleas. How? Fleas are known to “catch rides” into our homes by latching onto our shoes or pant legs or other clothing. And once inside, they can spread to other household pets.
So besides the fact that these nasty little hitchhikers were driving Sybil crazy – itch, itch, bite, bite – could they really do any other harm? Yes, they can. Some pets are especially sensitive or “flea-allergic,” and their itching can become severe and even lead to hair loss, inflammation, rashes and secondary skin infections. Other concerns? Fleas can pass along certain blood parasites, tapeworm, and cat scratch disease.
Experts say that once the fleas are on your pet and in the house, you need to address not only your pet’s flea problem but also your home environment to avoid re-infestation. Let’s focus on our furry friend first.
Those topical and oral remedies you’ve probably heard about (such as Advantage and Frontline) treat flea problems as well as provide ongoing protection against infestation.
Sprays, powders, and other items are also available for “itch relief” for your pet. Natural flea and tick remedies are also very popular and effective, and all natural shampoos which contain flea repellant ingredients like citronella and essential oils, provide protection while being chemical free and gentle on your pet’s skin. Of course, be sure to ask your veterinarian what’s best for your pet, because they are all different! And it is VERY important to only use cat products on cats, and dog products on dogs.
Get out the vacuum! After your pet is all taken care of, you’ll probably need to do a deep cleaning of your home, from washing all bedding (yours and the pet’s) in soapy, hot water, or frequent, heavy-duty vacuuming and/or steam cleaning. In addition to the rugs and carpet, give the furniture a good cleaning as well, especially if your pet hangs out on certain chairs or sofas. Remember to throw away the vacuum cleaner bag… you don’t want it to become a flea incubator!
You also may need to more thoroughly treat the inside and outside of your home with sprays, powders, or foggers. Options abound; ask your veterinarian which ones are safe for you and your pet. He or she also can tell you whether you need to call in a pest control specialist.
Remember: It’s true that fleas are more likely to be a problem when the weather is warm and humid, but they can also cause problems during cooler seasons. Talk with your veterinarian about the best way to control fleas and other parasites year-round!
(Sybil kicked her flea problem pretty quickly, thanks to a topical remedy and my many, many trips to the Laundromat.)
Sources:
• What you should know about external parasites
• How to Control and Prevent Fleas
27 May 2009, 3:14 pm
Don’t be worried that you’re being a “bad pet owner” just because your dog got some fleas… Just think of it as being like kids getting head lice!!
I applaud your comments regarding looking at cleaning the carpet as well as your pet. Even after you cure your pet from fleas, they can become reinfested if they come into contact with an old throw/cushion that contains some fleas..
30 May 2009, 1:50 pm
Just wanted to add, that the flea lifecycle consists of 6 stages. In 5 of those 6 stages the flea lives away from the pet. It lives in the pets environment. Make sure you pay particular attention to the carpets, doghouse etc.. A lot of people make that mistake..Great honest article!