Are fleas a year round problem?
Although fleas and ticks pose a threat to pets year-round, these pests become most active during the warmer months, starting as early as March in some areas of the United States. Find your state on the map shown here to learn where and when your pets are most at risk for fleas and ticks.
What happens if you leave fleas untreated?
Left untreated, fleas can multiply rapidly and make your dog seriously ill. That’s why it’s important to check your dog for fleas on a regular basis and act quickly to eliminate any outbreaks that occur. Some dogs are severely allergic to flea saliva and can experience extreme discomfort even from a single flea bite.
What makes a flea infestation worse in the summer?
They tend to hide in bedding, furniture, and floor cracks. Fleas also like to stay on an animal’s underbelly, so they can easily be transferred to your carpet when your pet lies down. Fleas live and breed in warm, moist places, so infestations are usually worse in the summer months. What Are the Signs of a Flea Infestation?
What happens if you have an allergic reaction to fleas?
However, you may need to take your pet to a veterinarian to be checked and treated for fleas. Some people have an allergic reaction to fleabites. If you’re allergic to fleas, your immune system may overreact to the insect bite and release an increased amount of histamine. This could cause a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
Can a flea infestation be difficult to see?
Though individual fleas can be difficult to notice, once a flea infestation occurs, you may be able to see multiple fleas hopping onto your furniture or curtains. You might also notice your pets scratching more than usual.
What are the symptoms of flea bites on humans?
If you scratch it, the bump may get bigger, and the itching will often get worse. Unlike mosquito bites, fleabites on humans are usually located on the lower legs and feet. The bites are characterized by red spots surrounded by red halos. Additional symptoms of a fleabite may include: Symptoms begin immediately after you’re bitten.
What are the signs of an allergic reaction to fleas?
Signs of an allergic reaction to an oral product typically involve digestive problems, including: Rule out flea allergies. Some cats and dogs experience a condition known as flea allergy dermatitis. This condition is an allergy to the saliva in fleas, and when a pet with this condition gets bitten, it experiences an adverse reaction.
How old does a dog have to be to get flea allergy?
And although flea allergies in dogs usually develops when dogs are young (less than 1 and up to 5 years of age), a dog flea allergy can begin at any age. It is the saliva from flea bites on dogs that is actually believed to be the cause of the allergy or sensitivity. The flea life cycle includes the adult flea, egg, larva and pupa.
How long does it take for a dog to react to fleas?
It also contains histamine-like compounds that trigger a release from the dog’s immune system. Flea saliva can cause an inflammatory reaction in animals that are sensitive to it. Some dogs have an immediate hypersensitivity to it within 15 minutes, while others have a delayed reaction that takes 24-48 hours.
Can a dog be allergic to fleas on the back?
Typically, dog flea allergies cause these problems on the back half of the dog; however, dogs that are allergic to fleas can have a reaction that causes lesions anywhere on the body. Importantly, fleas or flea dirt may or may not be visible.