As winter weather bites and the central heating is turned up around the UK, pet owners could inadvertently be turning their homes into a flea’s paradise, says leading veterinary charity PDSA.
In as little as six months, a single flea on a dog or cat coat can multiply into 100, which in turn will lay thousands of eggs around your house. These develop into adult fleas within a matter of weeks - feeding off both you and your pet! This can cause serious skin problems and, in smaller animals such as kittens, can even prove fatal.
Fortunately, timely protection can prevent serious outbreaks, though greater awareness is essential, according to PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Sean Wensley says: “It is vital that owners use the correct flea treatments and dosage for their pet. Using a dog flea treatment on a cat can result in fatal poisoning, as can increasing the recommended dosage, so always consult your vet for advice on the best flea treatment to use.”
Owners should also remember that flea products obtained from pet shops and supermarkets may not be as safe and effective as those obtained from veterinary practices.
“Remember that treating your pet is only part of the solution. If your pet is already infested you will have to treat the rest of your home too. Everything your dog or cat comes into contact with should be treated with an appropriate product, or it is highly likely that the fleas will come back.”
Fleas can cause serious health problems; they are one of the most common causes of skin problems in dogs and cats, and in severe cases, smaller animals, particularly kittens, can die from anaemia, due to blood loss from the feeding fleas.
Did you know?
- ·Fleas thrive in a warm environment, which is why they increase during the summer and in the winter, when the central heating is switched on.
- ·Fleas can feed for up to three hours from one site, and can eat up to 140% of their own body weight in blood every day.
- ·Flea eggs, larvae and pupae can be carried around the house on the soles of our shoes.
- ·Fleas can jump 20cm high, 120cm long and will jump around 10,000 times when looking for a dog or cat host.
Owners can find out more about treating their pets for fleas by downloading a free copy of PDSA’s ‘Fleas’ leaflet from www.pdsa.org.uk.
Deciding to get a new pet is a big commitment, and PDSA is urging people to think carefully before making plans to add a furry new member to the family this Christmas.
PDSA Senior Vet, Sean Wensley, explains: Choosing the right pet for your lifestyle is essential to ensure a long, happy relationship with your pet. But the timing of when to bring your new pet home is also important. Christmas is a chaotic time of year, with lots of comings and goings, so this may not be the best time to bring a new pet home.
If you have already given a lot of consideration to your new pet and are sure you can provide it with all it needs (try visiting www.your-right-pet.org.uk to make sure), then the next step is to think about timing.
Moving home can be as stressful for animals as it can be for people, and it’s important to make sure you have the time to help your new companion get settled during their first few days and weeks. So if you are planning to get a new family pet, PDSA is encouraging people not to be tempted to plan a traditional arrival ahead of, or during, Christmas one of the busiest times of year.
Sean says: Even if you usually have plenty of time to devote to a pet, it’s likely this will be significantly reduced during the Christmas period when people are out enjoying the festivities. The house is often full of visitors, plus the additional hazards of Christmas decorations. This can be a very stressful environment for a new pet.
He continues: If you do plan to get a pet as a family present, then perhaps wrap a photo to open on Christmas day, or if possible visit the pet beforehand and make a short video to watch. Then once the bustle of Christmas is over, you can bring the pet home to settle in quietly and with much less stress.
For more information on PDSA or free pet health advice visit www.pdsa.org.uk.
Introducing a new baby to the four-legged members of a family can be an anxious time for parents and stressful for the pet involved, but the key to a successful introduction is preparation.
The arrival of a new baby and the change in routine that this brings can be very stressful for pets, so it pays to prepare your pet before the baby arrives on the scene. Leading veterinary charity, PDSA, offers some top tips to make the process easier.
Preparation
- With your supervision, allow your cat or dog to investigate the nursery and new furniture before the baby arrives. If you don’t allow your pet into the room, they may feel there is something in there that needs their attention!
- CDs of baby sounds can help your pet get used to the new sounds that will soon be in the house.*
- Carry around a pretend ‘baby’ (a doll in a blanket) so that your pet gets used to seeing you do this.
- Once your baby is born, let your pet smell some of their clothing or bedding in the days before meeting them to allow your pet to get used to the smell of your new arrival.
Arriving Home
- When you bring your baby home for the first time, safely let your pets look at him or her whilst you hold them.
- Never let your pet lick your baby or get too close. However, as dogs depend on their sense of smell, a few sniffs, under very close supervision, will help them better understand the new arrival.
Routine
- Try to keep your pet’s routine the same and give them the same attention as you have previously. This will help ensure that they do not feel pushed out.
- Stay as relaxed as possible so that your pets do not pick up on any anxiety you may be feeling.
Safety
- You should never leave your baby, or any children, unattended with any pet. Pets will not understand that their actions, such as trying to climb into a cot, could be harmful to children.
PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Sean Wensley says: “It takes time and effort to introduce children and pets. Make sure you closely supervise any interaction between them and never leave them alone, no matter how well behaved your pet is. Praise your pet when they are calm and gentle around your child.
“Children often imitate parents, so how you react will show your child what is acceptable behaviour. By being a positive role model you can teach children how to respect and care for animals, which will help them become caring and responsible adults.”
For more information on responsible pet care log onto www.pdsa.org.uk
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