When fleas infest our pet, not only does it suffer. It is a very annoying disorder for the owner, who must be vigilant against these insects all year round , and not only in good weather. Antiparasitic products and the hygiene of the environment are the key in the fight against these ectoparasites or external parasites, which affect many species and are of particular concern in the case of dogs and cats .
In domestic carnivores, three species of flea are most frequently found: Ctenocephalides felis felis, Ctenocephalides canis, and Pulex irritans. The first one, known as the cat flea, is responsible for 95% of canine and feline infestations.
The importance of the life cycle
Knowing the biology of the flea is essential to determine what type of controls we must exercise over the pet and the environment in which it develops. Females lay thirty to fifty eggs a day, which are shed from the cat or dog’s fur. Larvae emerge from them, which after passing through three consecutive phases (larva 1, larva 2 and larva 3) become pupae. One of the differences between the two stages is resistance to environmental conditions: the larva is vulnerable to heat and dryness, while the pupa resists the latter condition . The pupae remain dormant until the ambient humidity and temperature conditions are conducive. It is then that they reach the form of an adult flea.
For the very observant
Fleas in the egg, larval and pupal stages are invisible . We can only see the adults, which begin to feed and mate within the first 24 hours of infestation. They lay their first eggs 24 to 36 hours after their first blood intake. About 70% of these eggs are shed from the host eight hours after laying. The reproductive capacity of fleas is amazing , so a parasitized animal usually houses many specimens. The adults tend not to abandon the dog or cat that hosts them, unless they number about two hundred individuals. At that time, some fleas can shed occasionally, especially if the animal comes into contact with another less parasitized animal. The most frequent areas of parasitization are the back, the abdomen and the base of the tail .
How to detect them in a dog
The body of fleas is flattened and small ( they do not exceed five millimeters in length ) and dark in color. It is not easy to see them due to their small size, so the best way to discover the presence of these insects is to brush the animal on a white sheet of paper, on which the fleas or their droppings will fall ; These turn reddish if we wet them with water, due to the blood ingested by the parasite.
If the dog is allergic to flea bites, something common, we will see bald spots on its coat and areas of irritation and flaking in the affected regions . In advanced cases, the animal will come to bite the area and injure itself to mitigate the itch. It is important to remember that if a specimen is infested, it is most likely that the space where it lives is also infested, so you should act on two levels: on the host and in its resting place.
What do we do if fleas attack our pet?
The best thing to eliminate them is to bathe it . MENFORSAN’s wide range of anti-insect products will help you in the task. They are one hundred percent natural, do not contain chemical insecticides and have no side effects or contraindications.
Shampoo with margosa, which acts as a natural insecticide eliminating insects during the bath and geraniol and lavandino, with a repellent effect to protect after washing.
If you want to avoid bathing (think of puppies, cats, lactating females …), we recommend the anti-insect foam shampoo.
When your pet’s body is free of adult fleas, protect its head and ears with a collar that repels vermin.
To protect the pet from fleas, you can apply the anti-insect pipette on its back .
To prevent the appearance of fleas on the belly and legs , nothing better than anti-insect spray.
To prevent, it is essential to vacuum thoroughly rugs and carpets, and wash the textile elements that are in contact with the dog (bed, cushions, blankets …) with hot water. This will remove the flea eggs, larvae, and pupae. MENFORSAN also offers products that clean the animal’s environment such as deworming spray for the home.
To finish off the cleanliness of the environment and prevent the appearance of fleas , the insecticide scrubber for all types of surfaces is perfect.
