Look for the tell tail signs of fleas on pets

Throughout July hundreds of vet practices up and down the country are backing the Pet Parasite Action campaign to encourage people to help protect their pet against harmful parasites inside and out.

The campaign is being supported by TV presenter Jenni Falconer who said: “As a dog owner and a mum I want to be sure I do the best thing for my pet and my family.

“During the Pet Parasite Action campaign I’m encouraging all pet owners to visit their vet for a simple way to help protect their pet against parasites inside and out, including those that might be harmful to rest of the family.

“Let’s act now to protect all the members of our family, furry or otherwise.”

After conducting a nationwide survey of over 1000 dog owners, Pet Parasite Action says the findings confirm that dogs are important members of the family and most owners say that losing their pet would be devastating.

The most important reason for owning a pet is to keep active but other reasons, such as nonjudgemental love and an ability to give comfort, become more important across the regions.

The survey also discovered that 85 per cent of us happily hug our dogs and the majority let their dog sleep on their bed, sit on their sofa or lap, lick their faces and give them kisses.

But 28 per cent said they have found parasites on carpets, 26 per cent have spotted a parasite on themselves and a shocking four per cent have even found one on their child.

Despite this, over a third of people say they never think about the parasites their pet might be hosting when they hug them.

So this year be on the look out for any tell tale signs.