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How Pet Owners Can Come to Terms with a Pesky Situation

According to the FDA, research shows that fleas could potentially bite your pet 400 times a day(1). That is 4,000 bites a day if your pet has just 10 fleas. Even though pet owners want to ensure the health and well-being of their beloved companions, sometimes the most well-cared-for pets can become infested with these parasites at some point in their lives.

In addition to the distress of watching their cats and dogs suffer from discomfort caused by biting fleas, pet owners experience frustration and embarrassment when it comes to dealing with these parasites. Estimates show pet owners spend over a billion dollars on flea preventatives and treatments annually(2). This may be attributable to the fact that fleas can be difficult to control.

This is evident by the fact that adult female fleas can lay as many as 25 eggs a day(3). Newly hatched adults that remain in a pupal cocoon can survive without a host for months(4). But perhaps even more surprisingly, adult fleas, which live on dogs and cats, only make up five percent of the total flea life cycle(5). The remaining 95 percent -- eggs, larvae, and pupae -- conceal themselves in carpets, bedding, and other furniture until they mature.

Too often, owners simply treat the affected pet; however, when that pet re-enters an infested area, they can become reinfested. So, it is important that pet owners treat the pet, as well as all affected areas.

"I get quite a few clients who complain that they've treated their dog or cat for fleas and yet they're still infested, even in January," said Dr. Marty Becker, veterinarian and best selling author. "The first thing I tell them is you have to treat the entire problem, not just part of it, and prevent fleas throughout the year."

The stigma associated with having a pet and/or home that is infested with fleas is long-standing. Those with flea problems often feel embarrassed. What should pet owners do to cope?

The Complete Solution

One way to combat the stigma is to be informed. Fleas often find the conditions inside your home optimal for survival. Once thought of as a warm weather threat, fleas are recognized as a year-round problem due to factors including climate change and transient populations. Severe weather fluctuations that bring hot and wet conditions are ideal for flea population growth.

Within the home, and outdoors, areas frequented by an infested pet should be thoroughly treated. Some additional tips to be considered are the following:

• Bedding should be washed;
  
• Furniture should be cleaned;
  
• Carpets and rugs should be vacuumed;
  
• Owners should make sure that lawns are cut and bushes are trimmed;
  
• Backyard fencing is also a good idea, as it prevents stray animals that might be infested from wandering into your yard.
  

The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) recommends year-round flea control -- and these recommendations are endorsed by the American Association of Feline Practitioners and The American Animal Hospital Association(6). Owners should make sure their pets are protected with adequate prevention and treatment options. A great, convenient option is a monthly topical with proven flea-control, such as Advantage(R) Topical Solution for dogs and cats, which has been trusted by veterinarians and their clients for more than ten years.

Talk to your veterinarian about additional ways to protect your pet and home from fleas.

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