Flea facts
Fleas are external parasites that live on the skin and feed on the blood of their host. Some animals barely register their existence, while others will bite and scratch themselves, damaging their skin and causing an infection.
- Mammals (including humans) can be allergic to fleas.
- Flea infestations can cause anaemia.
- They can infect animals with tapeworm larvae and carry bacteria which can make people very unwell.
- Fleas are active all year round.
- A flea can live from between 14 days to a year, and a female can lay up to 50 eggs in one day.
- Some types of fleas can leap more than a hundred times their own body length.
- They can survive six months without a host (which means your carpet can become a luxury resort for flea families).
Your pet can pick up these parasites easily on their daily walks, visits to the garden and from other animals.
Unless you’re Dr Doolittle, your pet can’t tell you they have fleas, so here are some signs to look out for:
- Scratching more than usual
- Hair loss, bald spots, or sore patches
- Skin irritation, redness, or scabs
- Thickened skin in areas (for example, around the ears)
- Tiny, dark specks in their hair or fur – if they are moving – that’s a bit of a giveaway!
Remember that pets react to fleas differently, so there may no obvious signs. The easiest way to know if your pet has fleas is to groom them and look out for any of the symptoms.
There are lots of flea treatments available (along with preventative types) so have a chat to your vet and ask which would be most suitable for your furry friend.
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