Fleas: annoying and dangerous
Fleas are wingless insects, just a few millimeters long, that feed on dogs‘ blood, causing persistent and annoying itching. Flea bites can be potentially dangerous, sometimes causing serious illnesses. The speed with which these parasites reproduce makes flea control particularly difficult. Each day, the female flea lays up to 50 eggs on the dog’s skin and fur. However, these eggs easily fall to the ground and infest the environment. Only a small portion of the flea population consists of adults that live on the dog, while the remainder consists of immature flea larvae (eggs, larvae, and pupae) that live in the environment, especially where the dog sleeps, but not exclusively. Preventing a flea infestation with a specific product is certainly better than treating an existing infestation.
Is it possible to see if my dog has fleas?
- Adult fleas can easily be identified on short-haired or light-coated animals.
- Sometimes, however, the dog can ingest fleas during cleaning (licking) so the dog could have fleas without being seen!
- In these cases it is possible to check with a brush for the presence of material similar to “coffee grounds” between the fur, an indirect sign of the presence of fleas.
Home tips
To reduce flea infestation, it is always advisable to combine flea treatment with a thorough cleaning of the house:
- Vacuum everywhere and bag the bag before throwing it away.
- Larvae can bed deeply into the fibers. In case of heavy infestations, it is best to entrust the carpets to a professional cleaner.
- Wash the bed and all fabrics that are regularly in contact with the dog at high temperatures.
