With the winter temperatures beginning to kick in, vets are warning pet owners that central heating could prompt a flea infestation.

The warmer the temperature, the faster a flea egg develops, experts are urging people to prevent an outbreak.

Head vet at tails.com, Sean McCormack, has warned that missed flea treatments could be leading to a bigger problem as we spend even more time keeping warm indoors over the winter.

Fleas are small, brown insects the size of a pinhead that live in your pet's fur, feeding on their blood.

They cannot fly but have large back legs and jump large distances and are flattened in shape standing tall and narrow on six legs, allowing them to run through the hair coat.

You may see little insects scurrying through the coat when you part the hair, particularly around the back of the ears, groin, inner thighs and base of the tail.

You may also see flea dirt or faeces which appears as tiny black crumbs, like black pepper.

If you comb this out of the coat and place it on wet cotton wool, it will bleed into the surrounding area as it is made up of digested blood.

Top Tips

• Fleas can also transmit tapeworm so it is important to use an effective prescription wormer against tapeworms at the same time as your flea treatment.
• Vacuuming the entire household, discarding the contents of the vacuum cleaner immediately in a sealed plastic bag, washing bedding on a high heat and using a spray in the home are vital to prevent reoccurrence.
• It is best to seek advice from your vet and ask them to prescribe a treatment that best matches your dog’s specific issues.

How do I treat a flea infestation on my pet?

There are many products on the market for treating fleas, some more effective than others.

Some products only kill or repel fully-grown adult fleas, whereas others are also effective against flea eggs too.

The best advice is to speak to your vet who will be able to suggest a product suited to your pets needs.

Do I have to treat my home for fleas as well?

Often by the time you notice adult fleas there may already be hundreds of eggs and larvae developing in your home on bedding, soft furnishings, carpets and flooring – it’s the perfect environment.

It is crucial to treat the home environment at the same time as your pet to reduce the chances of another infestation several weeks later.

What flea treatments are the most effective?

Most flea products are a liquid spot-on medication which is applied to the skin on the back of your pet’s neck.

However, application errors can be an issue with these treatments, and if it rains the product can wash away before it has a chance to be effective.

How do I prevent my pet from getting fleas?

The best approach to prevention is the use of a reliable, monthly flea product from your vet.

There are lots of anti-parasite medications available so it’s best to discuss your pet’s risk factors for other parasites such as lungworm and ticks and ensure your pet has full protection.

What problems can fleas cause if left untreated?

If fleas are left uncontrolled they will rapidly breed and cause a heavy infestation.

They not only irritate your pet, causing itchiness, but suck their blood and can result in anaemia.

In puppies and smaller pets, flea bite anaemia can even prove fatal. Many pets will develop a hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to flea bites, suffering from intense itching, hair loss and skin infections.

Fleas prefer not to live on humans but can still bite us, so prompt treatment and ongoing preventive measures are strongly advised.

Why does my pet keep getting fleas?

New waves of flea infestations can occur many weeks later if eggs, larvae and pupae are not cleaned properly.

This is why it is crucial to treat your pet and home at the same time with proven treatments and effective cleaning.

Using a treatment from your vet and treating the environment at the same time is the only reliable way to tackle a sudden or heavy infestation.

Even with effective flea prevention for pets, you might see dead or dying fleas for a while afterwards.

To read more about Kent’s furry, flying and finned friends, click here.

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