Fleas on Dogs & Cats: Why Year-Round Prevention Is Essential

Did you know that fleas on dogs and cats are a year-round issue, particularly here in the lowcountry? These tiny pests aren’t just a nuisance. They can cause serious health issues for your pet. Fleas don’t just make your pet itchy. They also can transmit diseases and parasites like tapeworms and cause allergic reactions (flea allergic dermatitis). At Shuler Veterinary Clinic, we believe in proactive flea prevention to keep your pet healthy and comfortable and to help prevent infestations in your home. Read on to learn why flea control is essential and how to protect your furry friend.

Fleas on Dogs & Cats: What Are Fleas and Why Are They Dangerous?

Fleas are small, fast-moving parasites that survive by feeding on the blood of their hosts. Once they infest your pet, they multiply rapidly, making them difficult to control. Fleas pose serious health risks, including:

  • Skin Irritations & Allergies: Flea bites cause itching, redness, and inflammation. Some pets develop flea allergy dermatitis, leading to excessive scratching and skin infections.
  • Tapeworm Infections: Fleas carry tapeworm larvae, which dogs and cats can ingest when grooming, leading to intestinal parasite infections.
  • Anemia in Severe Cases: A heavy flea infestation can lead to blood loss, especially in puppies, kittens, and smaller pets.
  • Household Infestation: Fleas don’t just stay on your pet. They lay eggs in carpets, bedding, and furniture, making them difficult to eliminate once established.
  • Bacterial Infections: Fleas carry bacteria that can make your cat sick, and even humans in the right circumstances. For example, fleas can transmit Bartonellosis, known as “cat scratch fever.”

Because fleas reproduce quickly, (on average 50 eggs per day), taking actions to prevent infestations before they start is the best approach to keeping your pet safe and your home pest-free.

Fleas on Dogs & Cats: How Do Fleas Get on Dogs? Understanding the Risk

Newly hatched fleas are hungry, and pets can pick up these hungry “hitchhikers” from various sources, including:

  • Outdoor Exposure: Fleas thrive in warm, humid environments, often hiding in sand, grass, wooded areas, and shaded spots.
  • Other Animals: Pets can get fleas from interacting with infected animals, or simply from playing, walking, or exploring where other dogs, cats, or even wildlife, live. As the eggs infest the environment, the newly hatched juvenile fleas are quick to find an ideal host such as your pet.
  • Infested Indoor Spaces: If fleas are present in a home, boarding kennel, or pet daycare center, the young fleas can jump onto your pet and start an infestation. The adult fleas will stay with your pet and start creating life-cycles immediately with thousands of eggs produced in a month. YUCK!

Since fleas can be present year-round, prevention is key to keeping your pet flea-free. People often think that colder weather kills the flea, but that is not true. Our pets live in temperature-controlled environments (our homes), which makes it possible for fleas to live in environments with people and pets year-round. 

Fleas on Dogs & Cats: What Is the Best Flea Prevention for Dogs?

There are multiple options for effective flea control, including:

  • Oral Medications: Chewable flea preventatives like Credelio Quattro quickly kill fleas, ticks, and other parasites, and provide consistent month-long protection. 
  • Topical Treatments: Spot-on treatments, like Revolution Plus, are applied directly to the skin to repel and kill fleas and other parasites.
  • Flea Collars: Long-lasting flea collars, such as Seresto, provide continuous protection for several months.
  • Regular Grooming & Cleaning: Frequent baths and regular brushing with a flea comb can help monitor and control flea problems. Regular vacuuming and washing household bedding can help reduce flea populations.

We advise all pet owners to consult with their veterinarian before giving any new products to their pet! At Shuler Veterinary Clinic, we can recommend the best flea prevention plan based on your pet’s lifestyle and risk factors. We will work with you to find the best-fit products for you and your pet’s lifestyle.

Do you struggle with giving your pet medication such as monthly prevention at home? Check out this video for helpful tips on administering medication!

Fleas on Dogs & Cats: Protect Your Pet from Fleas Year-Round

Flea prevention isn’t just for the summer. Fleas can survive indoors and in mild climates year-round, especially here in the lowcountry of South Carolina. At Shuler Veterinary Clinic, we recommend consistent flea control to keep your pet and home flea-free. If you’ve noticed fleas on your dog or need advice on the best flea prevention options, contact us today at (843) 884-4494 or book an appointment online.

Shuler Veterinary Clinic in Mount Pleasant, SC, is part of a locally owned, family-owned network of animal hospitals known as Animal Hospitals of the Lowcountry. Our network includes:

  • Mount Pleasant Animal Hospital: South Mount Pleasant SC, At Coleman Blvd and Old Village
  • Shuler Veterinary Clinic: Central Mount Pleasant SC, At Town Center
  • Safe Harbor Animal Hospital: North Mount Pleasant SC, At North MP and Hwy 41

Let’s work together to keep our pets, families, and community safe!