Notice your pet scratching an itch more than usual? Then a flea may just be the problem
We all love our furry friends. Whether your pet is a cat or a dog, you probably see him or her scratch an itch from time to time. But if you notice your pet scratching an itch more than usual, then fleas may be a problem you should fix–the sooner the better. Flea population numbers can jump as high and as quickly as fleas themselves can. Don’t forget that fleas carry diseases, too. Fortunately, you don’t have to sit by and watch fleas take over your household. You can keep a close eye on your pets, especially during the spring and summer months, and deal with flea problems as soon as you notice them–so that everyone can go back to enjoying life without pesky irritations or painful bites.
What to watch out for if you suspect your pet has fleas:
Your pet is scratching or biting himself/herself more than usual.
It is normal for your pet to scratch the occasional itch or groom himself/herself with his/her mouth. However, if you notice more scratching or biting than usual, or if your pet seems frantic while scratching or biting, that could be a sign of a flea problem.
You find irritated skin on your pet.
If you are petting or grooming your pet and notice irritated skin, this could also indicate an issue with fleas. The most likely places that fleas can irritate a pet’s skin are the base of the tail, the neck, and the shoulders. Sometimes the irritation can come from the pet’s own biting and scratching.
Your pet is missing some fur.
Even more noticeable than irritated skin is missing fur. If there are any bald patches on your pet, again, around the base of the tail, along the neck or shoulder blades, or on the back of the legs, then it’s probably due to a flea problem.
There is strange dirt on your pet.
Fleas leave behind droppings which are called “flea dirt.” These are actually flakes of dried blood that look like black pepper. If you have a flea problem, you may find flea dirt on your pet’s body, bed, or on your carpet or furnishings where your pet likes to spend time.
There are eggs or larvae around.
If you happen to notice small, oval-shaped, white bumps on your pet’s fur or around your house, you might want to take a closer look–they could be flea eggs. Flea larvae hatch from these eggs and usually look like a grain of rice.
There are actual fleas on your pet or around your home.
Finally, the most obvious sign of a flea problem is the flea itself. Fleas are tiny bugs that are reddish-brown colored and can jump extremely high and crawl very fast. A good way to find fleas on your pet is to invest in a flea comb, which is a very fine comb that will trap fleas in its teeth and help you pull them from your pet’s fur.
If you are dealing with a flea problem, you don’t want to wait and see if it goes away on its own. Fleas reproduce very quickly and will feast on the blood of humans as well as pets. West Termite, Pest & Lawn can help you deal with a flea issue fast, so that it doesn’t become established in your home. Reach out to us today to learn more.
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