Fleas & Ticks 101
Having a year-round plan for prevention can have a long-lasting impact on your cat or dog’s health and happiness. Don’t wait for peak season to start coverage. Instead, take a proactive 365-day approach.
Serious Health Concerns
Fleas can consume 15x their own body weight in your pet’s blood potentially leading to anemia and can transmit diseases like bartonella, typhus, and tapeworms. Female ticks can consume up to 100x their body weight potentially triggering allergic reactions plus carry the threat of Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis.
Where Do Fleas Live?
You may not see them, but they are there.
Even if your pet stays indoors, they can get fleas from many outside sources: untreated houseguests or visitors, other household pets, and the pet parents/family members themselves (fleas hiding in socks, pant legs after outdoor activities – just to name a few). Fleas may survive in your home throughout winter and can withstand temperatures as low as 33 degrees for up to 5 days. Save time, money, and stress on you and your pet by having a regular prevention routine.
How Can I Tell if My Pet Has Fleas?
Watch for excessive scratching, biting, chewing and/or hair loss. When fleas bite, they secrete a saliva that can linger on the skin that causes an allergic reaction called flea allergy dermatitis. Another sign you have an infestation is flea dirt or black spots on your pet’s skin or fur.
Need to know if it’s just dirt or you have a problem? Try using a moistened paper towel to dab the spots. If the spots on the towel are brownish red, then there is a high chance you’ve got fleas.
How Often Should I Treat My Pet for Fleas?
For flea prevention, a spot-on topical treatment every 30 days should be enough. However, we also recommend that if you have an active infestation, to use one of our sister brands indoor and outdoor flea sprays, foggers, topical shampoos or a spray you can use directly on your pet to truly address the problem. Make sure you also treat carpets, household and pet furniture for maximum results.