In this latest blog piece, we take a look at another small but hugely irritating bug that can cause immense discomfort to both your pet and your family, fleas. Once they move in to your house they can be a right pain to get rid of.
Fleas, they are small but they are MIGHTY! They can cause havoc to both our pets and us, and really are not nice visitors to have in your home.
The fleas we find on dogs are dark brown/copper in colour and are roughly about the size of a pin head.
Like the tick, fleas are a parasite that feed on the blood of their host.
Just one bite can be enough to cause immense irritation, which if left untreated causes secondary infections such as Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD).
Our in-house Veterinary Nurse Sue said,
“Our dear cat suffered from this and caused her to over groom, causing bare patches and a scabby infected skin if not caught in time. Fleas can transfer from animal to animal, brought in on clothing, etc. So, prevention is better than cure, by controlling the fleas on the pets and treating the environment”.
Fleas do not lay their eggs on the animal, they in fact lay their eggs in bedding, soft furnishings or in any nook or cranny they can find. When the time is right i.e. temperature and vibration, the eggs hatch and jump on to any passing host.
These days with central heating fleas can be an all-year-round problem.
Signs your Pet may have Fleas
Fleas can be sneaky little critters. Some common signs that your dog might have fleas include:
Scratching, Licking, and Biting: If your dog can't seem to stop scratching or biting at their skin, that's a pretty clear sign.
Red or Irritated Skin: Check for any redness or bumps, especially around the tail, groin, or under the legs.
Flea Dirt: This looks like tiny black dots but is actually flea feces. You can usually find this where your dog sleeps or on their skin if you part their fur.
Visible Fleas: Sometimes you can see the fleas themselves scurrying around on the skin. They're tiny and fast, so you have to look carefully.
Hair Loss: Frequent scratching can cause hair loss or bald patches.
Allergic Reactions: Some dogs are allergic to flea saliva and may show symptoms beyond the usual scratching and irritation.
You're already on the right path with a raw food diet, as a stronger immune system can help a bit in dealing with these pests. But if you suspect fleas, it's time to take action with appropriate treatments like flea shampoos, oral medications, or topical applications. Prevention is key too, so maybe consider flea collars or regular flea treatments to keep them at bay.
