Did you know that it only takes one trip outside to bring flea infestation into your home, putting you and your pet at risk? Here are some flea treatment options to prevent the nasty critters from crashing down on your downtime with your dog.
The joys of spending time outdoors with our furry members of the family are unparalleled. The warm sunshine, the smell of freshly cut grass – from hiking, going for walks, or a simple game of fetch in the park, nothing compares. But when it comes to fleas, that’s something both us and our dogs could do without.
The thing is, fleas are not just creepy little blood-sucking parasites, but they can also cause some pretty serious issues such as skin infections and allergies.
Discover: 10 Warning Signs You Need to Take Your Pet to the Vet (And How to Afford It Too!)
Will pet insurance cover tick & flea prevention?
We’ll give you a hint, if you’re with Oneplan Pet Insurance (the #1 pet insurance we recommend) and have routine care included in your plan, then they do cover tick and flea control. The best part is that you’ll also get exclusive access and up to 25% discount on tick & flea products (plus pet food, grooming, and much more) in the Onepet Premium Online Pet Store.
All you have to do is load a claim via the Oneplan App under your Pet Med Savings benefit, and the money you need to pay for tick and flea treatment will be loaded onto your card for you to use at checkout.
All your precious pets in your household should receive regular flea prevention as a part of their wellness plan – even if you do not think your pet has fleas. All pets (of all shapes, sizes, and furs), run the risk of getting fleas, even the ones who do not spend a lot of time outside.
Here are our top 4 methods of flea treatment
1. Flea shampoo
Of course, this one is the most obvious and the first tip on our list. Giving your pooch a flea bath using special flea shampoo is an inexpensive and effective way to protect your dog all year round.
Not only do flea shampoos kill off adult fleas, but they can also prevent flea larvae and eggs from maturing. Most experts suggest that you bath your dog with a flea shampoo once every second week or once a month. Make sure you choose a shampoo that is gentle on your dog’s skin.
2. Flea collar
Flea collars are effortless and incredibly effective ways to keep the fleas at bay. However, their effectiveness might depend on the level of invasiveness of fleas in your garden or environment and how much contact the collar makes with your dog’s skin to transfer the chemicals properly.
Before placing a flea collar on your dog, you might want to have a chat with your vet to find out if this is the best solution for your pooch. Experts recommend cutting off any excess length of the collar to prevent your dog from chewing on it. You should also keep an eye on your dog and notice if she experiences any signs of discomfort.
3. Oral and ‘spot on’ tick and flea treatment
Flea tablets are an easy and popular solution for many pet parents. These solutions can be used alone or combined with topical treatments such as ‘spot on’s. Vets recommend using a monthly flea control method such as tablets/’spot on’s.
Some flea tablets are able to kill adult fleas, others kill flea larvae, and some tablets will inhibit a flea’s ability to lay eggs, disrupting their lifecycle. Spot on flea treatments work externally and are able to kill the fleas on contact through the active ingredients that do not get into your pet’s bloodstream. This basically means that the fleas do not have to bite your pet before they perish.
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4. Clean your home
Fun fact – adult fleas only account for 5% (or less than) of the total flea population in an infected home. This means that you need to conduct a thorough house cleaning to break the life cycles of these nasty parasites, even for only mild infestations.
Your house will need to be cleaned on a daily basis until the infestation is under control. This is because immature fleas can live for several months in their environment.
Start by vacuuming your entire house, paying extra attention to where your dog sleeps and his favourite areas to hang out. You should also vacuum your car. Wash all of your dog’s linen, bedding and toys with hot and soapy water.
If you need any more hacks for getting rid of fleas, it’s always a good idea to chat with your vet!
Yours in Not-So-Average Pet Advice,
The Petinsurance.co.za Team