Flea Control

Get control of those pesky fleas

Fleas – it seems like every pet with fur gets them sooner or later. You probably know that fleas make your pet itchy, but did you know that they can also aggravate or cause allergic reactions and anemia, as well as spread tapeworms in your pet? Plus, they can carry diseases like Typhus that can be potentially lethal to humans. Fleas are no laughing matter, so learning about flea control is a good way to contain the damage when the inevitable fleas show up on your pet.

While many pet owners may notice that their pet is scratching a little more than usual, they're often not motivated to deal with the issue until they start getting flea bites themselves. This can happen if your pet likes to take a nap on your bed or couch. Some of the fleas are left behind in the fabric, and they are more than willing to take a bite out of you as well as your pet! Once those annoying little bumps and welts start to appear on your skin, complacency is quickly replaced with the need to take action.

The first step is to contain the damage; this means you should bathe your pet using a flea shampoo and wash any clothes, sheets or pet beds your pet has been in contact with using hot water. This helps to kill any fleas that may be lingering in the material.

Flea Medicine

Next, follow up with flea medicine to kill the eggs that the shampoo and water couldn't reach. It also helps to stop the next generation of fleas from hatching. Flea treatments may take several weeks to be fully effective, so be sure to follow the directions to the letter; otherwise, you may risk another outbreak.

Keeping your pet indoors and isolated from other animals is another great way to ensure that the parasites don't recover. Vacuum regularly, keep washing and continue treating pet beds with flea spray.

There is a wide variety of flea medicine available on the market today, including Frontline flea medicine, Program flea control and Advantage flea control. Most of these products will work for either cat or dog fleas. There are also natural flea control options, but these are much slower to take action and are better used as a means to prevent fleas rather than remove a flea infestation. The best flea medication for you will depend on the pet you own and its age; many flea treatments are too powerful to be used on kittens or puppies, for instance. When in doubt, always consult a veterinarian.

Dealing with fleas promptly and properly will help you to avoid a complete flea infestation in your home. A flea-free home is a happy, healthy and itch-free sanctuary for both pet and owner.