What is a flea?
Fleas are an external parasite. There are over 2500 species, including dog fleas, cat fleas, human fleas, rabbit fleas and many many more!
It is possible for more than one species of flea to live on a single host species.
Flea facts
- Fleas only suck blood from their hosts as an adult
- A flea can live from 14 days to 1 year!
- Females can lay up to 50 eggs per day – 1500 in a lifetime!
- Some can leap 100x their own body length
Signs your pet might have fleas
- Constant scratching
- Areas of hair loss
- Redness and irritation
- Visible small, dark, moveable specs in their fur
- Any new, unknown insect bites on yourself
Flea Bites
- Can cause allergic reactions due to their saliva (in pets and humans!)
- Blood loss; young, elderly or frail hosts can become weak and even die if left untreated
- Fleas can also become a host for disease and transfer that disease from animal to animal (rabbits and myxomatosis)
Flea Treatment
- Prevent fleas from becoming a problem by making sure you regularly use a flea treatment (Consult your vet for the best!)
- Don’t just treat your pet when you see fleas, you have left it too late by this point!
- Treat quickly as if left untreated can develop into tapeworm or disease!
- In the modern home it is important to treat your pets all year for flea treatment to help prevent a crisis, this is as modern homes are well insulated/heated and provide the perfect environment for eggs to hatch and find a host
- If your pet has fleas, you must also treat the home/fabrics/carpets etc.
For more advice see the RSPCA website
