Fleas and ticks

What are fleas?

Fleas are tiny, wingless insects that can feed off the blood of pets. They don’t fly, but they can jump almost a foot – a long way for their little size!

Although fleas are most common in warmer months, they can be a year-round problem. Fleas like warm, humid conditions, which can be found in homes even in winter.

Did you know that an adult female lays around 20 eggs per day? So, by the time you’ve spotted a flea, you might have a large infestation already. Checking your pet regularly and using the right preventative treatments when needed can stop this from happening. Your vet or a Suitably Qualified Person can advise you on flea treatments that suit your pet’s needs (see the section below called Who should I speak to about fleas?)

Where do fleas live?

Fleas spend time both on pets and in the environment. You might find them in cracks and crevices, like skirting boards and under carpets. In fact, there are often far more fleas in a house than on pets themselves.

How do I know if my pet has fleas?

The most obvious sign is seeing fleas on your pet or in your home. But there are other signs, too. You might notice your pet scratching or spot flea dirt (droppings) when using a flea comb to look for an infestation. Flea dirt can look like little bits of soil, but when you pick it up in the comb and wipe it on a damp white cloth or kitchen roll, it will show a red-brown colour.

Are fleas harmful to our pets?

Fleas cause pets to be itchy and uncomfortable. Some pets tolerate fleas better than others and so show very few physical signs. Others can be very sensitive to flea saliva, resulting in itchy spots at the site of the bites, hair loss, and even secondary bacterial infections. This is called flea allergic dermatitis. You can find out more about this in our flea allergies article.

Large or prolonged flea infestations can sometimes cause pets to become anaemic. For some pets, particularly young kittens, this can be fatal. If you think your kitten may have fleas, or you’re concerned about any pet, speak to a vet as soon as possible.

Fleas can carry a tapeworm parasite. If a flea carrying this parasite is ingested by your pet, such as during grooming, it can develop into a tapeworm infestation. If your pet is showing fleas, check their worming product and ensure it protects against tapeworm.

Who should I speak to about fleas?

Speak to your vet or a Suitably Qualified Person for advice about treating fleas and the right products to use for your pet(s).

A Suitably Qualified Person is someone with recognised training who can advise on certain animal medical products like flea treatments for pets. For example, they might be a pharmacy technician, veterinary receptionist, veterinary nurse or pet shop employee, and we also have them at Woodgreen.

Products you can pick up from the shelves of supermarkets or pet stores without assistance are not always effective, so speak to someone qualified first to see what you need.

How to prevent fleas

If your pet is at risk of picking up fleas or is particularly sensitive to their bites, then flea prevention is better than treating an infestation. Treating a flea problem in your home can take three months… or more!

1. Be prepared to treat all pets in the home who have fur. There are many types of fleas including cat, dog and rabbit fleas, and many can be passed between species.
2. Speak to a vet or Suitably Qualified Person (see above). Use a product that they recommend for your pet. You can usually buy these products from your vet, a locked cabinet in a pet store, or some pharmacies (in-person or reputable online ones). Some products treat just fleas, others treat fleas and ticks or a range of other parasites, too.
3. Depending on the product you choose, you may need to treat your pet every 4 to 12 weeks.

Only treat pets with products recommended for them specifically and in the right quantities. For example, never treat a cat with a product intended only for dogs, even of the same size.

How to get rid of fleas – existing infestation

1. Speak to a vet or Suitably Qualified Person to find out which products are right for your pet and situation (see the section above called Who should I speak to about fleas?).
2. Use a product that they recommend to kill the fleas on your pets. A product which kills larvae or young parasites (larvicidal properties) and also kills adult parasites (adulticidal properties) is usually most effective.
3. Treat your home with a recommended insecticidal spray to kill any existing larvae in the environment and to stop existing eggs developing.

Why do I still have fleas?

It can take several months to get rid of an existing flea problem. Adult fleas will continue to live until they feed on your pet’s blood. New fleas may continue to hatch and live until they feed, too. As long as your pet remains up to date with treatment, fleas will eventually die out as and when they choose to feed or are exposed to a flea product.

What are ticks?

Ticks wait on plants for a convenient host to walk by. This is when they can then attach onto pets and feed off their blood. Ticks can start as small as a pinhead and grow up to one centimetre as they feed. They’re often difficult to spot, especially when small, and they are commonly mistaken for skin tags.

Are ticks harmful to pets?

Having a tick can be uncomfortable for your pet. Some ticks can also carry Lyme disease. This is a bacterial infection that can make your pet lethargic and give them swollen joints and a temperature, amongst other symptoms. Although Lyme disease isn’t common, it’s important to be aware of it and prevent ticks where needed. Speak to your vet for advice on this.

When you’re abroad, you might come across ticks that transmit diseases we don’t find in the UK. If you’re planning to travel with your pet, it’s a good idea to check with your vet for advice first.

Are ticks harmful to humans?

Some ticks carry Lyme disease which they can transfer to humans when they bite, which can be harmful. You can find out about ticks and Lyme disease in humans, including symptoms and when to seek medical advice, on the NHS website.

Who should I speak to about tick treatments for pets?

Speak to your vet or a Suitably Qualified Person for advice about the right tick products for your pet(s).

A Suitably Qualified Person is someone with recognised training who can advise on certain animal medical products like tick treatments for pets. For example, they might be a pharmacy technician, veterinary receptionist, veterinary nurse or pet shop employee, and we also have them at Woodgreen.

Treatments you can pick up from the shelves of supermarkets or pet stores without assistance are not always effective, so speak to someone qualified first to see what you need.

How do I protect my pet against ticks?

1. Speak to your vet or a Suitably Qualified Person about tick prevention and which products are suitable to use (see above).
2. You may need to regularly treat any pets in the home who are at risk for ticks. For example, pets who spend time in fields, parks, or woodland are more likely to pick up a tick than those in cities. Many (but not all) flea treatments also help protect your pet against ticks. How often you need to treat your pets for ticks will depend on the product.
3. Avoid tick hotspots – ticks are common in wooded and moorland areas, particularly in long grass. If you know ticks are often found in your area, try sticking to paths.
4. Check your pet regularly. By health checking your pet often from head to toe, you will ensure existing ticks can be dealt with as soon as possible.

The most common places ticks are found include the head, ears, legs and stomach, but they can be found almost anywhere on your pet’s body.

Ticks can look like skin tags at first and vary in colour. If you look closely, you may be able to see legs. If you’re unsure whether you’ve found a tick, get advice from a vet or a Suitably Qualified Person (see above).

How do I remove a tick?

If you find a tick on your pet, the safest way to remove it is by using a special tick removal tool. These can be purchased at most vet practices and pet shops.

Never remove a tick by pulling, crushing or squeezing as this normally results in the tick’s mouth parts remaining in your pet and becoming infected.

If you’re not confident removing a tick yourself, or your pet appears unwell, take your pet to a vet or call them for advice. You may also need to speak to your vet or a Suitably Qualified Person about regular tick prevention.

To use a tick removal tool:

• Put the tool under the tick as close to the skin as possible.
• Twist the tool in one direction until you feel the tick loosen from your pet. Do not pull the tick, it will loosen as you twist.
• Slowly lift the tool away when you feel the tick loosen – it should stay trapped in the hook.
• After removing the tick, clean the area and monitor your pet for any signs of illness.
• Seek advice from your vet if your pet is showing signs of being unwell.