The Haslemere Pet Company

It’s never too early to start preparing for the flea season, so here are our top tips on how you can keep the little buggers at bay.

1.    Keep it Clean: Hoover rugs, furniture, curtains, dog beds, and anything else you can think of at least once a week.  Use a “shake and vac” type flea protector powder once a month (even in the winter), and make sure to dispose of the hoover bag promptly.  Oh and don’t forget to Hoover the car or anywhere else your pet has been.

2.    Wash Dog/Cat Bedding: Wash your pet’s bedding at least once a week on the hottest temperature approved by the manufacturer (check the tag for recommendations).  Wash out all crates with an appropriate disinfectant.

3.    Tidy Up Your Garden: Sweep up dead leaves/debris and treat your patio/steps with an appropriate cleaner.

4.    Use a Preventive “Spot On” During the Height of the Season:  Johnson’s do a range of size appropriate preventive treatments which keep dogs and cats flea free for up to three months.  Make sure your dog or cat does not currently have fleas as preventative treatments will not kill them.  Also make sure that you do not use cat treatments on dogs or vice versa.

5.    Avoid Walking in Popular Areas with Long Grass: Fleas, and their even uglier friend the tick, love to hang out in long grass so try to avoid. Lots of dogs in a concentrated area make it more likely that fleas will follow, so try a few new walks off the beaten path.

6.    Try a Herbal Supplement: Make sure it’s the right one! Garlic tablets have NEVER been proven to prevent flea infestations. The only thing they will do is make your dog stink.  Garlic, if taken in large doses can actually harm your pet, so if you’re looking for a natural remedy, try Billy No Mates.  Billy contains no garlic, but does have lots of other lovely herbs that seem to repel fleas and ticks.  Although there is no scientific evidence to support its effectiveness, I use it with my boys as it won’t do them any harm and it may even do them some good.  You must start Billy No Mates now as it takes 4-6 weeks for the herbs to have the proper effect.

7.    Have Fleas Now? First Stop the Vets: These tips are all well and good if you don’t currently have fleas, but if you do, you must first get rid.  This will mean a trip to the vet for some proper flea killing spot ons.  You must also treat your house and your car or your pet will simply become re-infected once the spot on wears off.

Following these tips won’t guarantee that your home stays flea free of course, but they have worked for us. Please note that even when putting these tips into practice, you must still treat for internal parasites and stay vigilant for signs of Lungworm.