Flea Treatments For Your Pets And Your Home

By Jeff Conner

Let's face it, your dog will eventually be infested with fleas. It might not happen today, it might not happen tomorrow, but it will always happen at some point. Here's a few tips to keep in mind for when that day does come.

How do you know if your dog has fleas? You'll be able to see them! They tend to swarm in the same locations - behind the ears, on the belly and at the base of the tail. You'll also probably notice the grit-like droppings that the fleas will leave behind. They'll typically be found stuck to your dogs fur around the stomach area.

Everyone tends to have their own ways of treating flea and tick infestations, but most experts will agree that its hardly a situation warranting the involvement of your vet. There have been numerous scares regarding prescription flea treatments in addition to the rising cost of performing them and you're better off using the easy-to-use, inexpensive at-home products designed to safely get rid of any flea infestation.

Now that you've successfully rid your pet of their little 'flea problem', you now need to turn your attention towards preventing a re-infestation of those little pests. Even though your dog may be flea-free, that doesn't mean they didn't already plant flea larvae around your house or even your car. Make sure to clean under any rugs you might have and around the base of any car-seats where your pet may have been close to. This will make sure that you don't suffer from a second attack months down the road.

Dog fleas are very indiscriminate and will infest a clean healthy dog just as much as the dirty neglected pet. Flea bites can cause extreme irritation to the dog. Some dogs can also become allergic to the flea saliva which is injected into the skin every time the flea bites. As well as the irritation of the flea bite they are are also the intermediate host of the tapeworm.

Flea infestations were once a thing of summers past. By that I mean they only came out when it was really hot outside. With the invention of indoor heating that sadly isn't the case anymore. Fleas are attracted by warmth and will gravitate towards any heating appliances you might have around the house. That is why it's important to pay special attention to cleaning any heaters or radiators you might have during the cold winter season.

After the baby flea eggs hatch the larvae stage can remain dormant for anything up to a year if the temp is not warm enough, before jumping onto the next passing host--perhaps your dog or worse you!--for a meal. Fleas do not live on the dog but simply use him as a source of food. They will live in your home and anywhere where the dog regularly goes, such as the car.

So now that you know everything there is to know about fleas and their intentions, what should you be doing to safeguard your pet's wellbeing? Its easy, just keep a clean house and you will not have to worry about any little bugs lurking around the next bedroom corner. - 29895

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