Fleas survive by feeding on other organisms, making a home with pets a perfect breeding ground. Fleas have a high breeding rate, with the first flea capable of laying approximately 50 eggs within 24 hours after their first meal. If you have an infestation, you should consult with a veterinarian to learn how to prevent and eliminate the dangers of fleas on house pets.
The common dangers of fleas on house pets include the following
1. Fleas infestation at your home
Getting rid of fleas is a common challenge most pet owners face at least once. Due to the high breeding rates of fleas’, after consuming a meal, one flea can lay up to 50 eggs in 24 hours, or roughly 500 eggs in ten days, which can be problematic if they hatch inside your home or on your pet’s coat. The eggs can fall off onto the carpet, bedding and furniture. It is hard to detect a single flea, but you may notice an infestation (which appear as tiny dark brown flecks). The fleas’ life cycle varies depending on the environmental conditions, but it is usually 18 to 21 days. You can take precautions upon the first sign of fleas in your home by vacuuming carpets, floors, and mattresses, steam cleaning carpets and upholstery, and washing your pet using a vet-approved flea shampoo
2. Fleas may transfer diseases to humans
Fleas can bite humans and cause intense itching with red bite marks. The itching slowly disappears on its own without long-term health effects, but it may trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people. Some of the diseases caused by fleas include bubonic plague, murine typhus, tungiasis, tularemia, tapeworm and allergies. You can protect your family from health dangers triggered by using fleas prevention medication on your pets and also keeping your living area clean
3. Flea bites can cause further health complications
Fleas like to live in animal coats, making it difficult to spot them. The common symptom of a flea bite on your pet is a lot of scratching. Upon looking closely, you may notice tiny red bumps or areas with missing fur. The fleas are most likely to hide in your pet’s belly, neck, lower back and the base of the tail. You may further notice dirt or droppings that look like specks of black pepper on the pet’s skin. The flea bites may cause other health complications like anemia, allergy dermatitis, and skin infection. Use a flea comb to find fleas on your pet’s fur, and a flea-shampoo to get rid of them.
4. Fleas can carry the tapeworm parasite
Fleas will not only cause itching, but they may also cause tapeworms in pets. Fleas can transmit dipylidium caninum, which are parasitic flatworms with a head, neck and multiple tail segments. If your pet swallows an infected flea when grooming, the digestive system will break down the flea’s body and your pet will become the new host to the tapeworm larva. Dogs with tapeworms typically display symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea, sudden weight loss, loss of appetite, and unexplained weakness. Talk to your veterinarian if you suspect your pet has tapeworms.
5. Chemicals used by exterminators can be harmful
Some of the chemicals used by exterminators to expel fleas from a home contain harmful ingredients, like pyrethroids and fipronil, which may trigger side effects on pets, humans and especially young children. Overexposure to these chemicals can cause decreased appetite, fever, vomiting and diarrhea to your pet. The substances may also cause skin irritation, chest pain, sore throat, headache and eye irritation in humans. Keep your home and pet clean to avoid infestation. Talk to your vet about annual flea prevention for any outdoor pets.
