Fleas in pets

Fleas in Pets, Prevention, and Effective Treatment

Fleas are small parasitic insects that are very common in pets. The two most common species are *Ctenocephalides canis* (dog flea) and *Ctenocephalides felis* (cat flea). Interestingly, dogs are more often affected by cat fleas than by dog fleas.

Flea Life Cycle

Pets become infested when they are in an environment where fleas are present. Adult fleas latch onto the animal’s skin and suck blood to be able to lay their eggs. A flea can lay dozens of eggs per day. These eggs then fall into the environment where the pet moves around and develop into larvae. The larvae avoid light and hide in places like carpets, cracks, and seams in parquet flooring. After a few weeks, they pupate, and in response to stimuli such as vibrations in the environment, new fleas emerge. These quickly jump onto a new host — your dog or cat.

Symptoms

Flea bites cause itching! The dog or cat will scratch or bite the affected areas. Using a flea comb to groom your pet’s coat can help check for fleas. Fleas prefer to gather on the back, especially near the base of the tail and in the armpits.
Fleas themselves are often hard to find, but flea dirt (feces) is easier to spot. These look like tiny black specks. If you’re unsure whether the specks are flea dirt or just dirt, you can rub the comb on a damp tissue. If it’s flea dirt, you’ll see red stains on the tissue because fleas are blood-sucking parasites.

Some cats and dogs can suffer greatly from fleas and may bite or scratch themselves raw. This is called flea allergy. Animals with flea allergy often have red, raw spots (hotspots) on the back half of their bodies. In severe cases, especially in very young or old animals in poor condition, fleas can cause anemia. Sometimes fleas can also infect a dog or cat with tapeworm.

Flea Control

There are many different flea treatments available. The best choice depends on the situation, so consult your veterinarian. Usually, a spot-on treatment (drops applied to the coat) is used. When given monthly, this keeps your pet flea-free. Alternatives include tablets, collars, sprays, shampoos, and powders that fight fleas. Not all products are safe for every animal species. For example, some flea pipettes designed for dogs are toxic to cats.
When you see fleas on your pet’s coat, you are only seeing the tip of the iceberg. It’s very important to treat all pets and the environment during a flea infestation. Environmental treatment includes vacuuming (disposing of the vacuum bag carefully), washing all pet bedding, and often using an environmental spray. Combing the coat and removing fleas and flea dirt is also essential.

Common Misconceptions About Fleas

Many people think fleas are just a “summer problem.” However, this is not true. At shelters, we regularly see cats and dogs with heavy flea infestations even in the middle of winter. The flea population outside does indeed increase mostly in summer, but flea pupae can survive up to one year in a household environment.
People also believe that indoor cats cannot get fleas. But flea eggs can easily be brought inside, for example, on the shoes of household members or visitors.