Whether you’re a new pet owner or have had pets in your household for years, finding fleas on your pet or around your home is never pleasant. Familiarize yourself with how to spot them, what to do if you find them and how to prevent them in the future with these tips below.
If you have questions or additional concerns about your pet’s health and are looking for a veterinarian in D’Iberville, MS, our professional staff at D’Iberville Veterinary Hospital are here to help.
How to Locate Fleas
Perform an inspection and bath: If you suspect your pet may have fleas, perform a close examination of your pet’s fur. As you search, fleas will move in the opposite direction and hide. You can spot them by their dark brown color. Next, give your pet a thorough bath. After you do this, keep the drain plugged and examine the water carefully.
Comb your pet and search for any potential fleas: Use a flea comb to thoroughly search through your pet’s coat. If you find small animals that have a brown, flat, oval appearance and move very quickly, these are likely fleas.
Place one of these specks on a white tissue and wait: Fleas leave behind flea feces or flea dirt, which resemble flecks of black pepper or dirt. If a small red dot or “halo” appears, this is flea feces. You can also try squishing a small bug between your fingertips if you notice one. Fleas don’t squish easily, so if the bug squishes easily, it’s likely something else.
What to Do When You Find Fleas
Bathe your pet: Give your pet a thorough flea bath, using a flea shampoo that does not contain regular insecticides, which could irritate your pet’s skin. Start from the neck and apply the shampoo all over the body. Let stand for 5-10 minutes and rinse thoroughly.
Comb and remove fleas: Use a flea comb to remove any fleas or flea feces you notice, immediately killing any that you find.
Quarantine your pet: If you have multiple pets, keep them away from the infested one so that the situation doesn’t become worse.
Treat your home: Wash all pet bedding in the washing machine. If a dog bed is particularly dirty, it may be best to throw it out. Treat your home with an insect growth regulator spray, applying it deep into the carpet where flea larvae tend to grow. Vacuum your carpet and furniture well, and place a flea collar inside the vacuum to ensure that any fleas vacuumed up die immediately.
How to Prevent Fleas
To ensure that fleas don’t return, wash your pet’s bedding thoroughly at least once per month and use a flea comb once per week. Use flea collars or flea-killing drops. Vacuum frequently, especially in corners, crevices and baseboards. Mow your lawn often to keep grass short and less likely to attract fleas.
If you have any questions for a veterinarian in D’Iberville, MS, about treating your pet or keeping your pet flea-free, contact our knowledgeable and friendly staff at D’Iberville Veterinary Hospital at 228-392-3295 today! We are committed to taking the best care possible of your