Flea-free homes are possible; it just takes time

By Dr. Beth Leermakers

Fleas can be a nightmare for pet parents. Recently, someone posted on NextDoor, seeking advice on how to get rid of a flea infestation in her condo and treat her dog. There were 76 comments, with suggestions ranging from medications to Dawn dish soap to salt and diatomaceous earth (the latter two to get rid of fleas in the home). 

Fleas are tiny, wingless parasites that feed on the blood of humans, pets and other animals. A flea bite is small, but flea saliva can cause itchiness, infection, dermatitis (a skin allergy) and severe allergies. 

Test your knowledge about these pesky parasites and how to keep them off your dog or cat. 

1. How far can fleas jump?

A. 6”

B. 13”

C. 20”

2. Which of the following is NOT one of the stages of the flea lifecycle:

A. Egg

B. Larva

C. Pupa

D. Juvenile

E. Adult 

3. Fleas can cause:

A. Tapeworms

B. Anemia in kittens and puppies

C. Cat scratch disease in people 

D. All of the above. 

4. Which of the following is/are sign(s) that your pet has fleas:

A. Excessive scratching 

B. Gnawing and biting the skin

C. Hair loss

D. Irritated skin

E. A and B

F. All of the above. 

5. Which of the following treatments does NOT prevent fleas?

A. Flea shampoo 

B. Oral medications (such as Bravecto, Credelio or NexGard)

C. Topical medications (such as Frontline Plus, Revolution Plus or Advantage II)

D. Flea collars (such as Seresto)

6. True or false. It is safe to use the same flea medicine for your cats and dogs. 

7. When should you apply flea treatments to your cat or dog?

A. All year round

B. Only in the summer

C. In the spring, summer and fall

8. True or false. Most flea treatments are NOT safe for newborn and very young kittens and puppies. 

Answers:

1. B. 13”. Fleas are about 1/8 of an inch long (.125”), so they can jump about 100 times their body length. 

2. D. Juvenile. The 4-stage lifecycle includes egg, larva, pupa and adult. Adult fleas lay eggs on your cat or dog, which can fall off and hatch in the environment. Fleas can move through the lifecycle as quickly as two to three weeks. They can also lie in wait for several months, with pupae emerging during warm weather or when a host is detected (based on carbon dioxide from breathing). 

3. D. All of the above. Cats and dogs get tapeworms (long, flat, segmented parasites) from eating fleas (usually when they’re grooming themselves, trying to get rid of the fleas). Tapeworms look like grains of white rice in the pet’s feces or bedding. Adult fleas feed on blood. When there are a lot of fleas on a kitten or puppy, the blood loss can result in anemia (i.e., insufficient healthy red blood cells). Fleas carry Bartonella bacteria that cause cat scratch disease. 

4. F. All of the above. Apart from the scratching and biting, the most common signs of fleas are related to the skin (most often near the lower back, tail, inner thighs and groin). Your cat or dog may have hair loss, redness, and/or “hot spots” (moist, inflamed lesions that appear suddenly). You may also see the fleas themselves or flea dirt (flea waste that looks like tiny specks of black pepper).  

5. A. Flea shampoos are effective at killing adult fleas on contact but do NOT prevent future infestations. A flea shampoo won’t kill flea eggs, larvae or pupae, which are often found in the home environment. Flea shampoos don’t protect against new adult fleas jumping on your pet. Capstar, a flea tablet, also kills adult fleas but does NOT prevent future infestations. 

6. False. It’s NOT safe to use dog flea products on your cat. Products designed for dogs will lead to severe, often fatal, reactions in cats. Permethrins (insecticides) are toxic to cats, potentially causing tremors, seizures and death.

7. A. All year round. Thanks to warmer winters, fleas are a year-round problem. Most veterinarians recommend year-round coverage for fleas (and ticks and intestinal parasites). 

8. True. The minimum age for most flea preventatives is 6-8 weeks, but check the package insert for specific safety information. Many flea preventatives also have a minimum weight required for safe use. Your veterinarian can help you choose a safe product for your pet. 

Choosing the right flea preventatives will keep your pet(s) and family comfortable and healthy. 

Looking for affordable flea and heartworm prevention? Check out Spay Neuter Network (spayneuternet.org/vaccinations) and Texas Coalition for Animal Protection (texasforthem.org/vaccinations-and-wellness).