Pets Fleas

Naughty Naughty Pets: Flee the flea!

The Problem Of Having A Dog With Fleas

Fleas may be hard to detect, particularly on dark haired dogs, but when skin inflammation occurs around the base of the tail, fleas are a suspicion.

Flea bites cause itching of the entire body and can lead to infection. Fleas do not parasitise aquatic mammals such as whales and seals. They are not often found on ungulates and other roving mammals because they have no permanent nest for the fleas to lay their eggs. Fleas are one of the most common ectoparasites of companion animals and feed on the blood of their hosts.

The blood intake of a female flea can be equivalent to more than 15 times its body weight.
Fleas can jump tremendous distances for their size, and are difficult to remove manually from pets. Fleas often repair minor damage to the wax layer, but the vacuum machinery must penetrate this protective layer to such a degree that wax coating is irreparable.

I know what you are thinking: Fleas are the worst! Fleas pass through a complete metamorphosis life cycle consisting of egg, larva, pupa and adult. A typical flea population consists of 50% eggs, 35% larvae, 10% pupae and 5% adults. Tick collars and powders are not always effective, and may be harmful to your animals. Before using any pesticide, always read directions and warnings carefully.

Ticks may carry and transmit diseases, including Lyme disease, that can cause serious health problems. It's important to check your pet regularly for ticks.

Dogs may have an allergic reaction after eating certain foods or commercial dog food ingredients such as wheat, soy or beef, said Bagladi-Swanson. Dogs and cats scratch constantly when heavily infested, resulting in soiled and roughened coats and, sometimes, in nervous conditions. The most serious effects occur when a pet develops an allergy to flea bites.

Eggs are 50% of the flea population in your house, or over 10 times as many as adults, which explains why they can be hard to exterminate! Eggs will hatch on the ground, in nests, carpet, bedding, upholstery or cracks in the floor. Most hatch within seven to fourteen days.

Adult fleas feed on blood, while their larvae feed on organic debris. Adult fleas want to spend all of their time on your tasty pet, so they aren't hard to find. Both male and female fleas love to drink blood, and after a good blood meal the females will lay about 40 eggs per day. Adult fleas emerge from the cocoon when proper stimulation is present, including vibration, increased carbon dioxide levels, heat and motion. The adult can emerge from the cocoon very quickly and immediately jump on the host.

Larval and nymph stages (immature ticks that cannot reproduce) of the deer tick feed on birds and small mammals. The adult female tick needs a large 3 day blood meal from the deer before she can reproduce and lay her 2000 or more eggs. Larvae are rarely infected.

The lone star tick and the American dog tick also require an extended period of attachment for transmission to occur, but research on this and infection rates are not well defined. Larvae appear in the spring and again in the fall, but are not usually encountered in the middle of the summer.

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Novartis Capstar Flea Treatment Blue Tabs for Dogs and Cats List Price: $29.99 Sale Price: $22.00 You save: $7.99 (27%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description The fleas on the pet are in the adult stage. An adult, female flea, living on a pet, can lay up to 2,000 eggs in her lifetime. With CAPSTAR (nitenpyram), almost all adult fleas will die within 4 hours for dogs and 6 hours for cats. Features Oral tablet for controlling adult fleas in cats and dogs Active ingredient is Nitenpyram, which interferes with normal nerve transmission and kills fleas For cats and dogs 2 to 25 pounds Should be given orally no more often than once per day Please read all label information on delivery

Merial Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Control for 0-to-22-Pound Dogs and Puppies, 6 Doses List Price: $100.00 Sale Price: $63.00 You save: $37.00 (37%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Flea & Tick Spot On Features Flea, flea egg, lice, and tick control for dogs and puppies 6-dose supply provides flea, flea egg, chewing lice, and tick relief for up to 6 months For all 0-to-22-pound dogs aged 8 weeks and older Easy 3-step application process Package measures 5.8 x 1 x 4.5 inches; includes limited Satisfaction Guarantee

Merial Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Control for Cats and Kittens, 6 Doses List Price: $100.00 Sale Price: $67.03 You save: $32.97 (33%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Flea & Tick Spot On Features Flea, flea egg, lice, and tick control for cats and kittens 6-dose supply provides flea, flea egg, chewing lice, and tick relief for up to 6 months For all cats aged 8 weeks and older Easy 3-step application process Package measures 5.8 x 1 x 4.5 inches; includes limited Satisfaction Guarantee

Novartis Capstar Flea Treatment Green Tabs for Dogs and Cats 25 Pounds or Over, 6 Tablets List Price: $32.99 Sale Price: $22.93 You save: $10.06 (30%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description The fleas on the pet are in the adult stage. An adult, female flea, living on a pet, can lay up to 2,000 eggs in her lifetime. With CAPSTAR (nitenpyram), almost all adult fleas will die within 4 hours for dogs and 6 hours for cats. Features Oral tablet for controlling adult fleas in cats and dogs Active ingredient is Nitenpyram, which interferes with normal nerve transmission and kills fleas For cats and dogs 25 pounds and up Should be given orally no more often than once per day Please read all label information on delivery

K9 Advantix Flea Control for Dogs Over 55 Pounds, 6 Applications List Price: $85.49 Sale Price: $63.80 You save: $21.69 (25%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description K-9 Advantix 6pk for Dogs 56+lb Features Provides protection from more pests than other topical products Uses imidacloprid and permethrin to work against parasites Ideal for dogs over 55 pounds Waterproof Do not use on cats

DeFlea Pet and Bedding Flea Spray for Dogs and Cats, 24-Ounce Sale Price: $9.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description DeFlea Pet and Bedding Spray does not use pyrethroids of similar chemicals to achieve results so fleas and other parasites do not become resistant. Thus, the product never loses effectiveness. DeFlea Pet and Bedding Spray can be used on the pets bedding, carpets, furniture as well as directly on the pet. Features Use around the home and car Use on pet bedding Safely use around children Safe to use around other pets No chance of fleas becoming resistant

Advantage Topical Solution Flea Treatment for Cats Over 9 Pounds, 6 Applications List Price: $67.99 Sale Price: $53.22 You save: $14.77 (22%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Advantage Once-A-Month Topical Flea Treatment for Cats & Kittens 8 weeks and older - over 9 Pounds, 6 Pack Features Once-a-month topical flea treatment for cats Kills fleas before they lay eggs and flea larvae before they hatch Safe for all cats 8 weeks or older and weighing 9 to 18 pounds Prevents re-infestation for up to 4 weeks; includes 6 applications Please read all label information on delivery

Safari Flea Comb with a Double Row of Teeth Sale Price: $5.49   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description The Safari Flea Comb is specifically designed with two rows of closely spaced teeth to effectively remove fleas and nits from your pet's coat. Also great for lifting out dust and debris. Features Suited for all breeds of dogs Ideal to use after flea powders or shampoos Helps detect fleas or dry, flaky skin in the early stages Unique, double row design Recommended by professional groomers

Flea 12" Plush Dog Toy List Price: $8.99 Sale Price: $7.46 You save: $1.53 (17%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Multipet's Flea dog toy with squeaker designed to allow your dog to tug and enjoy this fun and playful plush toy. Features Plush dog toy Flea toy Says "Pinch Me" on its' back Toy squeaks to keep dog entertained

Sentry Natural Defense Natural Flea and Tick Spray for Dogs and Puppies, 8-Fluid Ounce Sale Price: $10.99   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product Description Sentry Natural Defense Natural Flea and Tick Spray for Cats and Kittens, 8 fluid ounce. Features Flea and tick spray for cats and kittens Kills and repels fleas Kills and repels ticks Safe for use around children and pets when used as directed Natural ingredients