Dog owners issued important advice during 'dangerous' flea season

With warm weather here to stay,it's a brilliant opportunity for our furry pals to relish the great outdoors. Yet, dog owners are often concerned about the heightened risk of flea infestations during this season.

The favourable conditions allow these irksome parasites to prosper. This poses a threat as fleas can transport diseases dangerous to both animals and their human companions.

Experts from Itch have disclosed a startling statistic: only five fleas on an untreated pet could lead to over a million eggs spread throughout your home, within roughly four weeks.

This alarming proliferation is attributed to the speedy life cycle of fleas. After all, a single female flea can lay approximately 50 eggs every day just one day after mating.

In areas with warmth and humidity, flea eggs rapidly hatch and quickly reach adulthood. This continuous cycle makes eradicating them an absolute nightmare.

As a preventative measure, it's widely suggested to administer regular flea treatments to your dog or cat each month to ward off infestations.

Nonetheless,Pet Health Club is raising the alarm that certain treatments may be detrimental rather than beneficial, with a surge in fake flea products being reported.

On its TikTok page, the experts warned: "Fake flea treatments are on the rise. They look the part. But they can make your pet dangerously ill."

This alert further highlights that counterfeit flea products, sometimes found to contain harmful chemicals, have been reported to UK regulators. Tragically, some pets have required emergency care as a result of these fraudulent treatments.

The Pet Health Club advises pet owners to "stay one step ahead" by using vet-recommended treatments for their furry friends.

They emphasise the importance of consulting professionals if anything appears amiss with your pet. If you're uncertain about the ingredients in a product, it's safer not to use it.

"Don't risk it for a bargain," warn the pet care specialists.

PDSA, a veterinary charity, also advises: "Where possible, it's best to stick to parasite treatments that have been prescribed by your vet."

They add: "However, if this isn't possible, it's important to understand the other types of treatment available, and how to select one that suits your dog."

To effectively eliminate fleas from your home, vacuuming followed by a household flea spray is recommended. Remember to dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag afterwards as well.

Signs of fleas

Signs your pet may have fleas include spots, scars, redness or irritation, hair loss, scratching, tiny dark specks in their fur, or if you notice insect bites on yourself.

The RSPCA suggests combing your pet as a method of checking for fleas. They state: "A good way to check if your pet has fleas is to groom them using a fine-toothed comb held over something white, like a piece of kitchen paper.

"Fleas or flea droppings will fall onto the surface. When water is added and the droppings turn reddish brown, it's a strong indication that your pet has fleas."