What do Fleas do

For any pet that spends time outside the biggest danger to them comes from parasites like fleas. Dealing with these is a seemingly never ending battle and one that mammals will probably never win but it can be tempered. Of course for your pet getting fleas is not a pleasant experience and by recognizing the signs it can help alleviate the problem letting them live a happier and healthier life.

What are fleas?

Fleas are flightless parasites that live by consuming the blood of their hosts, most likely mammals. They are small, usually growing no larger than ¼ of an inch in length and are black or brown in color. Their bodies are flat so they can move through their host’s hair easier and they have extremely strong claws making it hard to dislodge them. A flea’s mouth is adapted for puncturing the skin and for sucking the host’s blood. While they cannot fly they have strong hind legs that allow them to jump as much as 50 times the length of their body. There are over 2,500 species of flea around the world.

How to identify flea bites

If you could cut away the hair a flea bite forms a red spot surrounded by a reddened halo. These bites are extremely itchy and that is usually how fleas are identified. For our pets they will excessively itch an area which could lead to hair loss or cuts on their skin. This is just natural to them and the only way they know how to relieve themselves of the itch. The fleas are extremely hard to spot and in some cases cannot be seen without a microscope.

How do our pets get fleas

Our pets can get fleas many different ways. The most common is simply spending time in the outdoors or spending time with another animal that has fleas. Those animals can include other cats or dogs or others like mice or possums. Even animals that spend their time indoors can get fleas as they can hitch a ride on a human or on another animal like a mouse that comes into the house. No animal is completely safe from fleas, even humans.

About the fleas

The fleas that affect our pets grow from a larvae that is about 1/20th of an inch long to about ¼ of an inch long in adulthood. Eggs and larvae are extremely hard to spot as they are sticky and attract dirt and hair giving them camouflage and also are not on the animal. Adults are the only stage that actually lives on the host and a flea can live up to 2 ½ months depending on the environmental conditions. Fleas like a temperature between 65 and 80 with around 75% humidity (so summertime) and do not like being in the sun. These fleas can be picked up from other cats, other dogs, raccoons, opossums, skunks, foxes and several other mammals.
These types of fleas are relatively easy to spot once they reach adulthood. Besides excessive scratching and itching flea dirt will be easy to spot when the cat or dog is combed. The fleas though can be good at hiding and will take refuge on the animals belly. If you put the dog or cat on their back you might be able to see the fleas moving.

Dangers of flea bites

A bite from a flea will be very itchy and could become very painful. This alone can drive some pets bonkers as they do what is natural to alleviate the itch but only makes it worse. Some pets are even allergic to fleas and can develop flea bite dermatitis, which is an allergic reaction to a flea’s saliva. This condition will be extremely itchy and can lead to hair loss and red nodules. A severe infestation can lead to blood loss and anemia which can be life threatening. Fleas also carry tapeworms and can take up residence in the animal’s intestines which will cause issues with their ability to absorb nutrients. Cats during their grooming will eat the fleas as a way of combating them which is how they can wind up in their intestines. Tapeworms are treated with medication.

What can you do about them?

If left alone a flea bite will go away but that will not solve the underlying issue as fleas can multiply quickly. Most flea issues are treated using a topical solution or a pill that will kill the fleas, sometimes within a few hours. These include both chemical options as well as more natural options like shampoos. Flea medications may be the most popular method though. These will not kill the flea but will prevent eggs from hatching and eventually the fleas will all simply die. These medications are not a good option for animals that are allergic to flea saliva though so keep that in mind.

If you dog or cat has fleas a grooming session at Doggie DoLittle can go a long way towards helping to relieve them and treat them. Fleas can be washed away with a good bath and shampooing making your four-legged friend feel much better. As always consult your veterinarian before any using any treatment but if you think your dog or cat has fleas do not let it go. You wouldn’t want to spend your day itching and neither does your pet.

References:

https://www.orkin.com/other/fleas/flea-bites/
https://www.orkin.com/other/fleas/cat-fleas/
http://princetonvet.net/how-do-fleas-hurt-my-pet/
https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/evr_dg_fleas_on_dogs_and_what_you_can_do_about_them
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flea

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. -Roger Caras