Do dogs really need flea treatment?
Ricky Reichel
2025-08-24 04:54:24
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All dogs and cats will need some parasite treatments throughout their lives regardless of whether they are indoors or not. But all pets, regardless of whether they go outdoors, are likely to need flea and worm treatments at some point. Pests can enter your house through other pets and even humans via our clothes or shoes. How often your pet needs to be treated will vary depending on their lifestyle and who they live with - that’s why it’s best to speak to your vet about a tailored treatment routine for your furry friend to keep them protected. If your pet is at risk of catching fleas, ticks or worms, they will need regular treatment to keep them at bay – just treating them once is unlikely to be enough. Cold weather slows down parasites, but it doesn't eliminate them entirely. Fleas, ticks and worms can affect your furry friend all year round, with fleas in particular loving our centrally heated homes which is why it’s important to protect them all year. It may be tempting to skip treatment during these months, but you’re potentially putting your pet at risk.
Aaliyah Buckridge
2025-08-15 22:22:49
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Fleas are a type of external parasite. It's possible for many species of fleas to infest more than one host species. Fleas only suck blood from their hosts as adults. A flea can live from between 14 days to a year, and a female can lay up to 50 eggs in one day - that's 1,500 in a lifetime. It's estimated that 95 per cent of flea eggs, larvae and pupae live in the environment, not on your pet. Flea treatment can easily be done at home, so here's how to do it: Flea treatments: prevent and get rid of fleas by regularly using flea treatment for your pets. If you spot fleas on your pet, treat them quickly, as they can give your cat or dog tapeworms and diseases. Only give your pet flea treatment that's been recommended for them, ideally one prescribed by your vet. You may need to treat your pet and home for fleas all year round if your home is centrally heated.
Laila Frami
2025-08-08 15:23:03
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Not all dogs need flea treatment, as the standard practice in the UK at present is to advise that customers take a preventative approach, treating their pets every couple of months even if they don’t have fleas. Defra and the veterinary profession need to take responsibility for development of a sustainable alternative, but an obvious first step is to stop treating animals for fleas if they don’t have fleas. After all, we don’t treat our children against nits if they don’t have them. Fleas can also be prevented by using a flea comb and washing pet bedding regularly. Why do I need to apply chemicals to them if they don’t actually have fleas?! I never did this to my children – I only treated them for nits when they had nits, not monthly to prevent them. A risk-based approach to prescribing or recommending these medicines, reflecting an animal’s exposure to parasites, is encouraged by the British Veterinary Association. Owners should speak with their vet about their animal’s needs and how to responsibly use and dispose of these medicines to minimise environmental contamination.
Nash Rosenbaum
2025-08-08 14:08:38
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Fleas stand out as a primary cause of skin issues in dogs and cats. Some pets can develop an allergic reaction to flea saliva, requiring only a few bites to trigger a severe skin reaction. Fleas are also carriers of the common flea tapeworm and, in severe cases, can lead to anaemia. To determine the appropriate level of flea treatment for your dog, we will collaborate with you to conduct a risk assessment based on your pet's lifestyle and behaviour. Once every month, you should treat your pet for fleas, and every two to three months, or even more frequently, for worms. The flea treatment products you use should be recommended by our vets and suited to your dog’s breed, size and weight. The flea treatments we advise kill existing fleas quickly and protect your dog for 4 weeks. Signs Your Dog Already Has Fleas include frequent scratching or intense irritation, tiny black specs of flea dirt in the pet’s fur or found in their bedding, small spots or scabs on the skin, and areas of skin irritation or hair loss.
Maye Gleichner
2025-08-08 13:46:59
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If your dog has fleas, you'll need to treat them and your home to get rid of them. Many dogs enjoy walks, but this creates a good opportunity to pick up fleas. Because of this, it may be better to use a good quality preventative treatment, as recommended by your vet. You should speak to your vet about your dog's flea treatment needs. Puppies or weaker dogs are more at risk of developing health issues caused by fleas. Always follow your vet's advice when considering flea treatment for your dog. The risk of getting fleas depends on how much time your dog spends in environments outside the home, and if they spend time with other animals who may carry fleas. Some dogs are not very sensitive to flea bites, so you may not notice any signs of fleas at all. If your dog suffers from a flea allergy, they may have a more severe reaction to fleas.
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