Not only are fleas bad for your pet, but they can also have a major impact on your family's health and comfort. These small pests often carry a variety of dangerous pathogens that will survive in your home for months. That is why it is so important for families to immediately take action if they believe that their dog or cat has brought fleas into their home. Here are just a few things that you can do:
Make Sure That It Is Fleas
Just because your pet is scratching themselves doesn't necessarily mean that they have fleas. Many other things can give a pet itchy or dry skin including food allergies, coming into contact with certain plants, and acute injuries. Pet owners can check for fleas by carefully inspecting the pet's fur for small insects. When you are inspecting your pet, you should be outside and wearing gloves to prevent cross-contamination.
Natural Treatment Options
There are many different natural treatment options for pet owners who are not quite ready to take their pets to a veterinarian. Most experts agree that spot-on formulas are extremely effective when used correctly. These products generally come in the form of a gel or shampoo that must be applied once a day. The downside of these natural treatments is the fact that many pets aren't comfortable taking longer baths or standing in one place for an extended period of time.
Professional Treatment Options
Your veterinarian might suggest any number of professional treatment options ranging from concentrated spot-on formulas to oral medication. For more severe infestations, your pet will most likely need a combination of treatments including professional grooming, prescription shampoo, and oral medication. When used correctly, these comprehensive treatments typically get rid of infestations in just a few days.
Contact an Exterminator
After you have treated your pet, you then need to treat your home. A local exterminator, such as E & R Exterminating Company, Inc, can help you come up with a multifaceted plan of attack that gets rid of the fleas that are currently living in your home and prevents future infestations. They will also be able to give you suggestions on how you can reduce your risk of new flea infestations such as what to wash your carpets with and how often you should schedule preventative pest control services.
Even though a flea infestation can be traumatizing, most pet owners are able to get rid of these bugs within just a few days. Once you have gotten rid of the fleas, you might want to begin scheduling appointments with your groomer once every few weeks to keep your pet's coat healthy and insect-free.
