“MY PET STILL HAS FLEAS” SIX COMMON MISTAKES MADE IN FLEA CONTROL

It has been estimated that over 50% of people who come into vet clinics each year do not use flea prevention in the winter time or cool months. Fleas do survive and multiply in the Winter and are always looking for a warm body. Many pets today go or stay inside which makes year round treatment even more important. Don’t give fleas a 6 month window to lay thousands of eggs because you don’t see them. They may not be as noticeable in the cold months, but they are still there.

2) Missing a dose now and then.

Most products work better today because unlike the old products, they kill the fleas before they can lay eggs. A flea lays 50 eggs a day on your pet. Missing one dose can cause thousands of new eggs to seed your pet’s environment, just waiting to hatch and get on your pet. Mark your calendar every month to make it easy to remember.

3) Mixing treatments.

Don’t use a different product every month due to finding something cheaper or after just starting a product late in the yr. after you have fleas and think it’s not working. If you start after you see fleas, it will take several weeks to clear the fleas as the eggs already there will have to hatch before the product kills them if you got the product from a vet, be patient for it to work. Plus, the longer it is used, the more it will build up in your pet’s skin.

4) Not treating every pet in your household.

If you have more than one pet and only treat one say the dog and not the cat for example can defeat your purpose. This can cause a big problem because the untreated pet can serve as an egg factory for fleas. With many fleas hatching no matter what is on the dog he will still get fleas. The goal is to

defeat the flea’s life cycle and totally get rid of them. Not treating every pet in the household will not obtain this goal.

5) Not treating pets because they “never” go outside.

Believe it or not, there are many people who do not use flea prevention because they think since their pet is inside they can’t get fleas. Fleas will get

in your house. I can guarantee that. I see it all the time. ”I never see fleas on my cat or get bitten so there are no fleas in my house.” Soon their pet becomes so flea-ridden we have to treat them for anemia and they have to spend lots of money treating the house for weeks. As long as a pet is in the house, the fleas will feed on the pet and not humans. They like them better. Also, inside, the fleas that hatch stand a better chance of survival in the controlled environment. I tell my clients I wouldn’t have a pet in my house without year round flea treatment for $500 a month. Make me an offer! I will refuse.

6) Buying cheap or old products OTC or off the internet.

I tell clients when a flea and tick product is sold OTC and no longer carried by vets there is a reason. Vets don’t sell it anymore because fleas have become resistant to it and it no longer works. Plus, we have access to newer better products that work great. Vets have a reputation the up hold and selling

cheaper products that no longer work may make Walmart richer but it will put us out of business. Trust me, a $5 flea collar will not work. Another problem

is internet sales. Unfortunately, everyone wants to get in on the business and there are many products sold on the internet that look like the real thing but are counterfeit. Many are made in China and North Korea, and the packaging is identical to the real thing. Beware! If the price sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Your veterinarian is your best source for fine products and sound advice to rid yourself of fleas forever. I have several pets inside and out, and because I don’t make these six mistakes, I haven’t seen a flea at my house in

over 20 years.

811 N.W. Atlantic St.

Tullahoma, TN 37388

Phone: 931-455-6886