A small flea problem can turn into a massive infestation in no time at all. Not only are fleas an annoyance to your pets, but they are also dangerous disease carriers that could infect your pets with a single bite. In order to keep your cats and dogs as happy as possible, you need to get fleas under control. Here is a guide showing how to protect your pets from fleas.
Get Rid of the Existing Population
If you already have fleas in your home, you need to work with an exterminator to get rid of them. This may be as simple as covering your carpets with a special powder and vacuuming it up. It could also involve a gas bomb that will fill the house and eradicate every flea in sight. You have to start with a clean foundation or your pet will continually be repopulated. You will spend hundreds of dollars on flea control that is completely ineffective.
In addition to getting rid of the fleas inside the home, you need to get rid of the ones on your pet. For young kittens and puppies, the only way to do this is to give them a bath with Joy, Dawn, or another mild dishwashing liquid, and then picking off the fleas by hand. Get the soap set on the fur for a while to kill as many fleas as possible. Older dogs and cats can get flea baths from a local vet, or you could choose to give them liquid flea medicine to kill off the eggs and fleas. Just keep an eye out for new populations when the medicine wears off.
Keep Your Pets Inside
It is easier to keep cats inside than it is to keep dogs. Dogs eventually have to go out to use the restroom. When you take your dog out, try to make sure he doesn’t roll around in the grass too much. Let him run around and play, but then bring him inside as soon as possible. The less time a pet spends outside, the less likely he will be of contracting fleas.
Practice Flea Prevention
If your pets go outside at all, give them flea prevention medication to kill fleas and ticks on contact. You can buy this at most pet stores or veterinary offices. Some medicines are more potent than others, so you will need to pay attention to how often you need to apply yours to your pet. Don’t fall for powdered flea collars that claim to get the job done. They tend to provide nothing more than a shelter for fleas to nest under. With the right prevention products and flea extermination ahead of time, you should easily be able to protect your pets from fleas.
