My dog has fleas—what should I do now?
Fleas in dogs—most people start itching at the mere thought of these tiny creatures. Unfortunately, fleas are a common problem for our loyal four-legged friends. By the time you discover one flea, hundreds have often already spread throughout the house. An adult flea can produce around 1,000 fleas in just three weeks. Because they are initially invisible and hide in warm, dark places around the home, a full-blown infestation can develop. That is why this article explains everything about fleas on dogs, what causes them, and above all, how to control and prevent them.
How did my dog get fleas?
Fleas hide not only in grasses and bushes but also in less sheltered places. In fact, wherever mammals live, fleas can be found too. Fleas wait for a host, such as a dog or cat, to pass by and then jump “aboard”. This can be from a bush to a dog or from one dog to another, but also from a cat to a dog or vice versa. A flea can jump an average of one metre. These parasites can therefore spread very easily and find a new host.
How does a flea infestation develop?
Just one flea is enough to cause a serious flea infestation. Once a flea has landed on a dog, it feeds on the host’s blood. After this so-called blood meal, female fleas begin laying eggs. A female flea lives for an average of three months and lays dozens of eggs a day. As soon as the dog moves, the eggs fall off and are spread throughout the house. The eggs hatch into larvae, which hide in cracks, seams and gaps, where they feed on skin flakes and flea faeces. The larvae spin a cocoon around themselves, in which they develop into adult fleas. In a warm, humid environment, this happens within 14 days. If conditions are less favourable, however, the larva can remain in the cocoon for anywhere from one month to a year. This is precisely why many flea infestations develop after a holiday, for example. During the holiday, conditions are not ideal for the flea, but as soon as you return home and there is plenty of activity in the house again, the ideal situation arises. The fleas wait for a host to pass by, and the cycle begins again.
How do you recognise fleas in dogs, and what are the consequences?
Recognising fleas in dogs is relatively easy. A flea bite causes itching and other skin reactions in dogs. The dog responds by scratching and biting vigorously. This can eventually lead to hair loss and weeping or oozing eczema. In addition, fleas may be infected with viruses and bacteria and can also transmit the flea tapeworm. Fleas do not just suck blood; they also inject infected saliva into the bloodstream. In puppies, kittens, elderly dogs and dogs with chronic illnesses, bites can cause anaemia and reduced resistance, depending on the number of fleas. Some animals also suffer from a flea allergy, meaning that a flea bite can cause a severe reaction. Be aware that fleas can make not only your dog’s life miserable—you can also be bitten by these parasites.
Controlling fleas
Of course, you want to get rid of these unpleasant parasites as quickly as possible, but what is the best way to control fleas? Unfortunately, treating the dog alone is not enough. As explained above, the eggs can spread throughout the house in no time. You therefore need to tackle fleas in two steps. First, wash the dog with a special flea shampoo. This shampoo kills the fleas on the dog. You should also get out the vacuum cleaner and vacuum the entire house. Do not forget cracks, gaps and hard-to-reach places, as fleas prefer to hide there. You will also need to vacuum between the cushions of the sofa, the chairs, your bed and the car. Blankets, beds, cushions and other items your dog or cat likes to lie on should be washed at the highest temperature possible—preferably at 90 degrees, or otherwise at 50 or 60 degrees. This kills the eggs and larvae. Finally, after completing all the steps above, treat the house with a special environmental spray that kills fleas and eggs.
Preventing fleas
Of course, prevention is better than cure in this case too. No one wants a dog and a house full of fleas. There are various products available to prevent fleas, such as spot-on treatments for the back of the neck or tablets available from the vet. These tablets or spot-on treatments generally protect a dog against fleas for one month; always consult the package leaflet for details.
