The dirt on fleas: myth vs. reality
At the Mendocino Coast Humane Society, we regularly see fleas on our public spay/neuter patients. We’ve come to realize that many pet owners have misconceptions about fleas and preventatives, so I’ll attempt to clear some of those up here.
MYTH >> “Fleas may be gross, but they’re harmless.”
REALITY >> Many pets suffer from flea allergies, which not only cause them to be miserably itchy but often lead to hair loss, secondary skin infections, and even worn teeth from constantly chewing at their itchy skin. Even a few flea bites here and there can trigger a significant reaction in a sensitive pet. A flea infestation can even become life-threatening. Since fleas feed on their host’s blood, a significant flea burden can actually lead to anemia, systemic illness, and even death in vulnerable animals, especially young kittens and puppies and older animals in frail health. Fleas transmit parasites and diseases, too, such as tapeworms and bacterial infections, including the bubonic plague!
MYTH >> “Fleas live on animals, not in houses.”
REALITY >> If there are fleas on your pet, there are many more in your home. In fact, the adult fleas on your pet account for less than 5% of the flea population in their environment. Adult fleas tend to stay on the host animal, but the countless eggs and larvae they produce hide in carpets and floor cracks, on furniture and bedding, and on the ground outside. Flea eggs in the environment hatch into larvae, which feed on adult fleas’ excrement (digested blood). Those larvae then build cocoons, where they are protected in their pupal stage while they develop into adults. Pupae are very resistant to harsh temperatures and many insecticides, and they can stay dormant in the environment for months!
MYTH >> “You’ve never seen a flea on your pet, so they don’t need flea control.”
REALITY >> Many pet owners are in denial about fleas. As mentioned above, the vast majority of a flea population is NOT on the animal, so the signs of a flea problem are not always obvious. However, most discerning veterinary professionals will quickly hone in on the fleas hiding in a pet’s long fur, the “flea dirt” (flea feces) peppering their skin, or the thinning hair at the base of their tail. Even if your pet is not currently flea-ridden, they (or you) could inadvertently bring them into the house at any time.
MYTH >> “Pets only need flea control a few months out of the year.”
REALITY >> Fleas can be a problem year-round, especially in mild climates like here on the coast. Keeping your pets on consistent flea prevention all year long ensures that you keep those blood-thirsty fleas at bay and avoid reinfestation of your household.
MYTH >> “Flea medications are toxic.”
REALITY >> While over-thecounter flea medications can be harmful or ineffective, especially if misused or on the wrong animal, prescription products from your veterinarian are considered very safe and effective when used appropriately. Unlike most “natural” products, these prescription products have been rigorously tested and approved by the FDA, including infrequent adverse effects.