Are you worried that your pet has fleas? If you’ve noticed a flea on your pet or you’ve found flea feces, it’s worrisome. Not only can this infestation mean that your pet is being exposed to itchiness, bites, discomfort, and potential diseases (fleas can carry diseases) but you your home are at risk, too.
Fleas will bite people and fleas can rapidly breed, making getting rid of them cumbersome and if you don’t deal with the problem swiftly it could be labor intense and costly to get rid of fleas. Your local veterinary hospital can help with flea treatments to get rid of fleas on your pet and can often provide products to help you get rid of fleas at home, too. Furthermore, a trip to the veterinary hospital can help you proactively avoid fleas and other parasites through proactive treatments that are often much more effective than what is available at local pet stores.
Getting Rid of Fleas
Here are some tips to help you deal with fleas at home. Being vigilant is important. Fleas breed rapidly and can be in your soft furnishings, such as rugs, furniture, beds, and more.
* Vacuum daily for a few weeks to ensure you capture freshly hatching fleas.
* Empty vacuum cleaning bags or canisters outdoors, if possible.
* Small dishes of water with a bit of liquid dish soap placed strategically and carefully near lamps and / or nightlights can lead to fleas drowning. Fleas are attracted to the light and jump and then they will drown.
* Comb your pet with a pet grooming comb designed to catch fleas between teeth of the comb. Dip in soapy water or vinegar to drown / immobilize fleas.
* Many people have natural remedies that they swear by for fleas, such as borax powder on rugs, apple cider vinegar, etc. Vigilance is important as fleas are on a quick lifecycle and you could have them hatching at varying intervals.
Get Veterinary Advice
Your local veterinary hospital can help you assess a pet for fleas if you are not certain whether or not your pet has this or another parasite. Your vet can also make recommendations when young pets, such as puppies or kittens are infested. Many times regular flea shampoos and flea collars are too harsh with chemicals for very young pets.
Do you need help with fleas or other pet parasites? We are a veterinary hospital that cares. Visit All Creatures Hospital, Inc. to learn more. You can also like their Facebook page for more information.
