How to Protect and Prevent Your Pets from Fleas

Fleas are tiny yet misery inflicting pests, obviously for pets, but for humans as well. It's strongly suggested that the best way to get rid of these potential disease carrying annoyances is by a large forceful attack. The pets, the house and is some cases the surrounding outside environment all must be treated.

One must reduce the rate of which fleas can reproduce. This is the primary reason for the often challenging task of getting rid of them. Fleas pupae are capable of remaining dormant until born, which can be up to 500 of them at one time. This mass population is the cause of the all too familiar swarming of the feet and ankles as one walks through a flea inhabited house. Temperature rising and vibrations are easy flea attractions.

Thus, it is imperative to use a product to kill fleas that will not only kill living adult fleas, but the eggs and larvae too, and continue to repel as well as kill any that may hitch rides from the outside via Spot's tail.

Since it's more likely fleas will make their way onto the pet than off, the first procedure to take should be a good vacuuming and applying of insecticide. Flea powder should be sprinkled onto the carpet prior to vacuuming. Be sure to vacuum in-between furniture, under beds, and anywhere on a couch a couple hundred fleas could hide out. The pet's pillow, cushion, jacket or any other cloth like item often coming in contact with the pet will need to be washed in hot water. Make certain that any left over lint is thrown away in the outside garbage.

After the house has undergone a detailed cleaning, the pet will need to be given a good bath in flea killing/preventing shampoo. Be sure to scrub thoroughly all over the pet's body, especially the stomach and ears. If giving the pet a bath in the bathtub, be sure that all hair and fleas are washed down the drain or thrown away immediately after the bath. This will eliminate any chances the fleas and larvae have at surviving. After the pet has been dried off, it's usually a good idea to give it a hefty combing with a what is called a flea comb. This special comb will remove any eggs that may not have been removed during the bath.

Finally, flea drops and collars are an effective way of preventing the return of fleas. Drops should not be used on puppies or kittens, however collars are usually safe for pets of all ages.