Every cat or dog will probably be visited by fleas in their lifetime. They jump on a host to nourish themselves on their blood and will mate here with the eggs dropping off to the environment. Eggs hatch after 2 to fourteen days producing larvae which will feast upon skin debris, flea droppings and other organic matter.

They’ll pupate after roughly 7 days and remain in this state for approximately ten days although this can vary dependant upon environmental conditions. The flea will wait for a sign that a host is nearby before emerging to feed. Only 5% of the flea lifecycle is represented by adults the residual 95% is made up of larvae and pupae living in environmental surroundings.

Your cat or dog may also catch fleas from wild animals, for example birds, hedgehogs, rabbits etc. These aren’t likely to breed on your pet, however it is a good idea to treat them as they might trigger irritation. Black specks on your dog or his/her bedding might be flea dirt which are the faeces of partly digested blood from your dog, excreted by the adult fleas. They can frequently be observed around the neck area and the base of the dogs tail.

The easiest way to handle dog fleas is to prevent dog fleas. However, even with the very best of intentions and discipline, our pets will at some point come into contact with fleas. The most effective way to cope with fleas is to adopt a multi-pronged strategy. First, you must eliminate fleas on your pet, Secondly, you must rid the immediate environment of fleas to prevent re-infestation. Lastly, you must re-double your time and efforts towards flea prevention.

The chemicals used to kill fleas are manufactured in a variety of formulations. Products sold by vets to deal with fleas are effective and safe. The various products available include sprays, ‘spot-on’ treatments or oral treatments. Your vet or vet nurse can suggest which would be the proper treatment for your pet. There are also several products provided by pet shops and supermarkets etc. If however you make use of these then make sure you use them carefully. Make sure you purchase the correct one for your pet.ensuring it’s for the correct species and weight and always keep to the manufacturer’s instructions.