Dealing with a flea infestation is stressful enough without worrying about whether the treatment itself is safe.
The good news is that when flea products are used correctly, they’re effective and well-tolerated by most pets. The key is knowing what to use, how to apply it, and what to avoid.
Critical Pet Safety Tips While Treating a Flea Infestation
Never Use Dog Flea Treatment on Cats
Dog flea treatments may contain permethrin, which is highly toxic and can be fatal to cats. Never use dog flea treatments on your cats, and keep your pets separate while treating them for fleas to prevent them from brushing up against or grooming each other and ingesting the treatment products.
Treat All Pets in the Home
If you live in a multi-pet household, it’s important that you treat every animal for fleas, even if they’re not showing signs of an outbreak.
You should always use species-appropriate treatments and keep pets away from any harsh cleaning chemicals.
Continue Treatment Until the Infestation is Gone
Completely eradicating a flea infestation can take between three to six weeks or even up to three months for severe cases.
Continue treating all pets according to the product instructions for the full recommended period, even if you stop seeing fleas. This is required to fully break the flea lifecycle and prevent immediate reinfestation.
How Do I Know if I Have a Flea Problem?
If your pet has been itching and biting at their skin intensely and you’ve noticed itchy red spots in clusters around your ankles or waist, you probably have a flea infestation in your home.
Other signs of a flea infestation include:
- The presence of flea dirt: Small black or brown specks in bedding, carpets or fur.
- Visible fleas: Tiny brown insects jumping on carpets or in fur.
- Flea eggs: Round white specks in pet bedding or carpets.
You can test for fleas by walking across your carpets wearing a pair of white socks. Any living fleas will hop onto your feet and be visible against the white of the socks.
If you suspect your pet has fleas, comb their fur with a fine-toothed comb and check their skin for flea dirt or live insects. Fleas often accumulate behind the ears or at the base of the tail, so pay close attention to these areas.
Treating Your Pets for Fleas
What Flea Products to Use
Start by treating your pet with a fast-acting product to tackle the live infestation, then follow up with something that targets the lifecycle. This will stop eggs from developing and prevent reinfestation.
You must treat your home as well as your pet. A household flea spray applied to carpets, rugs, and pet bedding will tackle the eggs and larvae living in your home, not just the fleas on your pet.
Flea and tick treatments can contain powerful active ingredients, and it’s incredibly important to follow product guidelines when using any product in your home or on your pet. Ensure proper ventilation in the home and keep pets away from any freshly treated areas.
Safe Application of Spot-On Treatment
Spot-on treatments are a common way to treat and prevent flea infestations for both cats and dogs, but it’s important to apply the treatment safely. Always read package instructions carefully before application and speak to your vet if you have any questions.
To apply spot-on treatment safely:
- Read the product instructions and double-check that you have the right dose for your pet and their size. Always use a treatment which is appropriate for your pet’s species; never use dog flea treatments on cats.
- Find the spot between their shoulder blades at the base of your pet’s neck. This is to ensure they can’t reach it to lick it.
If your pet is wearing a collar, remove it and don’t put it back on while the treatment is still on their skin.
- Open the treatment pipette as instructed.
- Part the fur of their neck so that you can see their skin.
- Place the pipette directly against the skin and squeeze gently. Apply about half of the pipette in one spot and the other half at another, parting the fur each time.
- Do not rub the fur where the treatment is sitting, and do not let your pet lick or groom this area for the next day or so. If you accidentally touch this area, wash your hands straight away.
- Give your pet plenty of praise and give them a little treat for being so good.
Side effects from these kinds of treatments are rare, but they can happen. Speak to your vet immediately if your pet shows any signs of breathing problems, vomiting, salivating or dizziness after having a flea treatment, as these can be signs of an allergic reaction.
Tips for Treating Separate Pets for Fleas
When treating a flea infestation, you must treat every pet in the home with the appropriate products for their species and weight. Keep pets away from each other to prevent them from grooming each other and ingesting any of the applied treatment.
You should also keep pets away from any rooms where household flea sprays or powders have been used until the products are fully dry.
Keeping Your Pet Safe During Home Treatment
Pet Safe Sprays
When treating your home and your pets for a flea infestation, only ever use pet-safe, veterinary-approved products. Check the product description for information about the active ingredients and instructions for safe use. Pay close attention to any safety precautions labelled.
Some products kill fleas, ticks, and mite insects, while others also kill eggs or larvae, providing ongoing protection from reinfestation. Always apply products according to package instructions and never use home sprays directly on your pets.
Keep Pets and Children Out of the Way
Even if a product is labelled as pet safe and veterinary approved, it’s generally recommended to remove all pets and children from a room before treatment and keep it closed for up to two hours.
You will then have to ventilate the room properly by leaving windows open for at least 30-60 minutes before re-entry.
This allows for home treatments to dry and bind to carpet and fabric fibres, reducing the risk of ingestion.
How to Safely Clean Your Home During Flea Treatment
Wash Pet Bedding Weekly At Above 60°C
As well as using specific flea and mite products in your home and on your pets, wash pet bedding and any affected clothing at above 60°C to kill insects and eggs.
To reduce the risk of reinfestation, incorporate this into your regular cleaning routine. Washing pet bedding at high temperatures on a weekly basis during treatment can help prevent future outbreaks.
Vacuum Regularly
Vacuuming frequently during an active infestation (ideally every few days) will help remove fleas at all stages of the lifecycle. Make sure you immediately clear out the vacuum canister and dispose of the contents outside.
Keep vacuuming regularly to help prevent reinfestation once you’ve treated the original flea infestation.
Groom Your Pet Regularly
Grooming your pets regularly with a fine-toothed comb will allow you to catch fleas early before a more serious infestation takes place.
Keep ahead of repeat infestations by using a spot-on flea and tick repellent treatment monthly. Check the species and dose requirements for your chosen product and apply according to the packet instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between over-the-counter and prescription flea products?
Over-the-counter flea treatments are a safe, affordable, and effective option for most pet owners. Many contain the same active ingredients found in veterinary treatments and meet the same regulatory standards. Prescription treatments may contain newer or more specific ingredients, but that doesn’t automatically make them more effective for every situation. If you’re unsure which product is right for your pet, your vet can help you choose.
Can cats use dog flea treatments and vice versa?
No. Never use a flea treatment intended for a different species. Certain ingredients in dog flea treatments, particularly permethrin, are toxic to cats and can be fatal.
What should I do if I’ve applied the treatment incorrectly?
If you’ve applied flea treatment incorrectly, such as using the wrong product for your pet or applying spot-on in the wrong area, immediately wash your pet with warm water and diluted dish soap to remove the oily treatment.
Monitor your pet for signs of poisoning, including loss of balance, drooling, lethargy, tremors or vomiting and diarrhoea. Call an emergency vet immediately at the first sign that something is wrong.
Can my pet go outside after flea treatment?
It’s usually recommended to keep your pets indoors until their flea treatment is completely dry. Some products advise keeping pets indoors for a day or two after treatment for maximum effectiveness.
After applying flea treatments, don’t allow your pet to swim for at least 48 hours and keep them away from long grass or wooded areas while treating an active infestation.
Why am I still seeing fleas after treating my pet?
Even after treatment, you may still see some fleas initially. These are likely new fleas hatching. As long as your pet and your home have been treated correctly, these fleas will try to bite your pet and die within 24 hours of contact.
Is it safe to touch my pet after applying spot-on flea treatment?
Do not touch the area where you’ve applied flea treatment for up to 24 hours until the product has been fully absorbed into their skin. You can still stroke and pet them elsewhere, just avoid the treated spot.
If you get topical flea treatments on your skin or clothes, wash the area immediately with warm water and soap.
When should I contact a vet if my pet is showing adverse side effects?
Flea and tick medicine poisoning is rare, but it can happen if treatments are not applied correctly.
Symptoms usually occur very quickly after incorrect exposure to medication, but they can be delayed by up to 72 hours, so keep a close eye on your pet after treatment.
Keep pets separate while the treatments are still wet to stop them from brushing up against and subsequently ingesting spot-on treatments.
Call your vet immediately if your pet shows signs of lethargy, tremors, vomiting, diarrhoea or loss of balance after receiving flea medication. These can be signs of an allergic reaction.
Photo by MATÍAS ALEJANDRO on Unsplash
