The Myth of Fleas

The Myth of Fleas

As we get ready for warmer weather, Animal Care Clinic wants to remind you that the best prevention against fleas, ticks and heartworms is to maintain year-round protection.  Skipping a month or not treating your pet during the colder weather months could prove to be more costly by compromising the good health of your pet.  If you have questions, please speak with your Animal Care Clinic Doctor. Fleas  are  nasty  parasites  programmed  for survival  and  hard  to  eradicate.   Thankfully, veterinary science has given us effective ways to control these pests, bringing relief to our dogs and cats.  But what happens when people think the Internet or local store has a better solution? Anyone  who  has  suffered  through  an infestation of fleas knows these parasites are programmed for survival.  In ideal conditions, fleas can complete their life cycle in just 12 days, adding thousands of new offspring.   Understanding how to control this life cycle and killing adult fleas helps your pet – and your home – remain flea-free!  

Flea Myth #1:  There is no difference between flea products purchased from grocery stores, websites, and your veterinarian.

Unfortunately, this myth is the cause of many emergency room visits – and pet deaths. Grocery store products may contain older insecticides and chemicals like Permethrin. This could mean that they are simply less effective, but in some cases, these products have actually killed pets – especially cats. In an attempt to save money, well-meaning owners have used dog products on their cats, causing the cat to seizure uncontrollably – creating a potentially fatal emergency.  Many Pet-discount web sites can’t and don’t guarantee the “authenticity” and freshness of flea and parasite control, but your Animal Care Clinic Doctor can guide you to the safe and effective choice for your pet.

Flea Myth #2:  Fleas go away during winter months.  

Fleas thrive at temperatures above 65 degrees, making our homes a perfect winter refuge.  The cocoon stage can actually survive up to five months in cooler temperatures – allowing the next generation of fleas to hatch and attack our pets in the spring!

Flea Myth #3:  Natural remedies like brewer’s yeast and garlic are safe and effective flea control methods. 

“Going green” is important, but organic and natural remedy products are not only often ineffective at controlling fleas, but sometimes even cause illness in pets.

Flea Myth #4:  Chemical pesticides are harmful to pets and to the environment. 

Advances in pest control provide us environmentally safe products that can be used on pets. Your Animal Care Clinic Doctor has both oral and topical products providing effective and immediate flea kill. Additionally, these products are harmless to both pets and children.

Flea Myth #5:  Fleas are resistant to these new chemicals – even products my veterinarian carries. 

Veterinary products have a great track record of killing fleas and experts state resistance to these products has not occurred.  Most perceived product failures are likely due to excessive numbers of fleas or inappropriate application.   Many insects in North America are resistant to permethrin, a common insecticide found in over-the-counter medications has shown a history of flea resistance.