Dangers Of Fleas On Your Pet

Fleas are very tiny and can be hard to find. Though a huge problem in most homes. Here are a few facts about our annoying little parasites. Fleas can get no bigger than 1/8 of inch long in most cases. They are usually dark brown and very fast. They can jump feet at a time. So it makes it very easy for them to escape capture. There are 200 different types of fleas in the United States alone. Each female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day.

Fleas have four life cycles. First cycle, of course, is egg cycle. This cycle is usually spent in the undercoat of your pet and deep in your furniture. The second cycle is the larvae cycle. Larvae are small worms that eat the fleas' feces. The third cycle is the pupae stage. They actually cocoon and can stay that way for up to a year and eating nothing. The fourth cycle is the adult cycle. It takes about three weeks for an adult flea to mature. Than they have about 25 day before they end their life cycle.

A flea can bite your pet more than 350 times each day. They bite into you pet to eat your pets' blood. Its the protein in the fleas' saliva that causes most pets to itch. Fleas are pretty hardy parasite but they cannot survive temperatures that are freezing. They prefer warmer and drier climates. This is the main reason fleas end up in homes, especially in the winter months.

Flea can not only make your pet crazy from scratching but can has some dangerous effects on your pets. The constant urge to scratch and chew can cause your pet to lose hair and get irrirated skin. This reddened, irrirated skin is inflamed and can lead to skin infections. It can also cause red pimple looking bumps that can be a sign of a skin allergy. This allergy is usually caused by the fleas' saliva. It can also lead to your pet having dry skin which can lead to more itching and allergies. In extreme cases, your pet can become fatigue and get anemia (low iron in the blood). Fleas can also transsmit tapeworms to your pets from feeding off of them. Fleas has also been know to past the plague to humans from their bites.

They are quite simple to find even if you haven't seen them. Just start with looking on your pets' skin and combing through its fur with a flea comb (fine toothed metal comb). You will find a 'dirt' like substance either on your pets' skin or that has fallen off of your pets' skin. Then take a wet paper towel and wipe the 'dirt' onto the towel. If it changes from brown or black to a reddish or rust color, than you know that you have fleas. This substance is called 'flea dirt' and is the fleas' feces.

Prevention is key if at all possible. There are several things to do on a regular basis though to keep these annoying parasites out of your home and off of your pet. Vacuuming daily, washing anything your pet lays on frequently, bathe your pets often, and flea control. By flea control I mean taking your pet to the vet and get a monthly flea control to use on your pet. They have several different ones these days. Flea collars, Topical Treatments (drops, lotions, creams), Oral Medications and Powders to name a few. There are also treatments you can do to your yards and inside of your home. Sprays, Foggers, Powders and Dusts are a few that you can get from most local stores.

Brushing your pets regularly with a flea comb helps you stay on top of detection. You can buy flea combs at any vet or pet stores. Prepare a bowl of soapy warm water to drown any adult fleas you may find as you're brushing your pets. Depending on your monthly pet flea control, bathing your pets with flea control shampoo can also help you control these tiny annoying parasites. A good diet is also a great way to prevent any side effects from any fleas your pets may have. Good Luck and stay preventative.