FACTS ABOUT FLEAS
A COMMON, IRRITATING ISSUE
Fleas make the lives of pets and their owners miserable. They cause scratching, skin damage and can even transmit diseases when feeding off their host.
PETS CAN PICK UP FLEAS WHEREVER THEY GO
Contrary to common belief, pets don’t get infested when fleas jump from one pet to another. Pets usually pick up fleas from the environment, both outdoors and indoors.
Pets can become infested anywhere untreated pets and wildlife have been
Fleas lay dormant in protective cocoons until the presence of a pet stimulates them to hatch
They’re particularly active in summer when the climate is warmer
The risk is year-round as they can still reproduce inside the home in winter
HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR PET HAS FLEAS
Fleas are small, move fast and can be difficult to spot – especially in dark, long or thick coats. If in doubt, look for black specks in the coat, comb them out onto damp paper and see if a reddish halo appears around the speck. If it does, it's flea dirt - your pet's blood partially digested by fleas.
Fleas
Fleas can cause scratching, skin damage and anaemia in puppies and kittens. Some pets are very sensitive to flea bites, a condition known as flea allergy dermatitis.
A growing problem
A single flea on your pet can lay up to 50 eggs a day. These eggs then fall off your pet wherever they go.
A homegrown infestation
95% of the problem lies in the home in the form of flea eggs, larvae and pupae. Flea eggs can develop into new fleas in as little as 14 days, which then jump on to your pet.
TOP TIPS TO TREAT AND PREVENT FLEAS
It’s important to treat your pets year-round to prevent flea infestations. If you have a current infestation, here are some tips to help you resolve the problem.
Treat all the cats and dogs in your home with a flea treatment such as FRONTLINE Plus or FRONTLINE Spot On routinely
Regularly vacuum all floors and soft furnishings, wash the pet’s bedding at 60°C and treat your home with a household flea spray such as FRONTLINE HomeGard
Give your pets access to all their usual places, so any fleas that hatch out jump onto them and are killed
Remember, no product stops fleas from jumping onto pets, so it’s normal to see live fleas even after treatment. However, don’t worry, these fleas will be killed within 24 hours
How-to videos
How to prevent a flea infestation
How to solve a flea infestation
GET SOCIAL
Become a part of our friendly pet owner social network to chat about all things pet.
Contact FRONTLINE
Questions, comments or problems? Get in touch to see how we could help.