It’s flea season! Yippee. I hate those nasty bugs, all I’ve got to do is see one and my whole body starts to itch…
It’s shocking to see how many pets in NYC have fleas and how few people realize it. Fleas are no joke, a serious infestation can kill a kitten by sucking all the blood out of it. They can also cause anemia which is also no fun.
So what’s a pet owner to do? Go to your vet and discuss options for flea eradication, they’ve got a few safe and tested products that will work. Flea collars really do nothing, but I have seen quite a few horrible rashes caused by them. I’m not a fan of at home flea dips, shampoos and/or bombs, they’re super toxic and can cause more problems than you started out with. There are a few “natural” products out there made with essential oils, but I have seen bad reactions to those too, remember natural doesn’t mean safe or harmless.
If you see a flea on your pet or in your home call your vet immediately. Schedule an exam and do what they tell you. Sure some of the flea products are a bit pricey but it’s way cheaper and easier than having to deal with a flea infestation in your home. Those suckers are tough to kill and can last for what seems like forever.
If you’ve already got fleas at home go out and buy a big box of baking soda. Sprinkle it really well all over your floors, especially paying attention to rugs and the corners and edges of all your rooms. Let sit for 10 minutes, (I do 20 just to make sure) and then either sweep it up or vacuum really well. This will dehydrate any flea eggs that are around and trust me, if you see fleas, you’ve got many more eggs.
Flea prevention is not the area to skimp on, especially because they like to chew on people too. Prevention is far easier than having to deal with an infestation already going on, if you’ve ever dealt with them you know.
Keep your pets happy, healthy and safe, they’re part of your family.
