Pet store issues alert as flea infestations to rise
PET owners in Widnes are being urged to check their pets and homes for fleas due to the recent spell of warm weather.
Pets At Home Widnes said that a mild winter, followed by recent heatwaves, has created the perfect breeding ground for the parasites across the UK this summer.
A Pets At Home Widnes spokesperson said: “Fleas can lie dormant during cold weather and come to life as soon as warm weather occurs, multiplying rapidly.
“If left untreated, long term flea infestation can cause real suffering for pets – including dogs, cats and small furries – due to repeated bites.
“This causes the animal to scratch themselves and can result in hair loss or a secondary skin infection.”
Keith Gearing, store manager at Pets At Home Widnes has advised pet owners to check their home, as well as their pet, for a flea infestation, as fleas can live within bedding as well as soft furnishings used by the whole family.
Mr Gearing advises all pet owners to:
Wash pet bedding regularly at 60 degrees.
Clean furniture to help destroy fleas at each stage of their lifecycle.
Vigorously hoover carpets, floorboards and skirting boards.
Throw away the hoover dustbag after each clean.
Check their pet’s coat for ‘flea dirt’ – brown or black spots.
Regularly treat your pet with a flea treatment throughout the year.
Treat your home annually with a household flea spray to prevent infestations.
Fleas rapidly multiply when left untreated, with a single adult female being able to lay around 40 eggs every day.
As well as living on a pet, ● the fleas can live in household furnishings while continuing to breed and may bite humans in the most serious of cases.
Mr Gearing said: “While the risk to a pet varies from animal to animal, it is