With summer fast-approaching, leading animal welfare organisation, Animal Aid, has a number of top tips to help pet owners fight against flea infestation.

Fleas breed in warmer conditions but with most houses having central heating, fleas can breed all year round indoors.

The warm wet summer last year produced a terrible flea season, creating havoc and discomfort amongst our four-legged friends.

Flea infestations will cause itchiness and irritation in most animals, but some animals are extremely sensitive to the bite of the flea and will have intense reactions, even to a single flea bite, called Flea Allergy Dermatitis.

Fleas do not only attack cats and dogs – they will also bite people.

The flea cycle has three stages – eggs, larvae and adults. Only the adults live on cats and dogs so the vast majority of the flea’s life cycle is away from the pet, and in the environment.

The challenge is to clear the flea infestation, as the eggs and larvae need to be eliminated, as well as treat the fleas seen on the animal.

Animal Aid advises that flea powders, collars and shampoos are not very effective at treating infestations as they only treat fleas on the animal and even then, many do not do much at all.

Some dog flea products are very dangerous to cats, so Animal Aid recommends NEVER use them interchangeably. Always seek advice from a vet or a vet nurse for the most appropriate product to use.

Animal Aid has a list of tips for pet owners when it comes to fleas:

• A veterinary quality spot-on product will be most effect at treating and preventing an infestation
• Clean up the environment, including bedding, thoroughly vacuum carpets, soft furnishings, curtains, cracks in floorboards
• It may be necessary to use flea bombs to eliminate the eggs and larvae
• All animals in the house should be treated. In theory, cats and dogs have separate varieties of fleas, but can carry each other’s species so always treat all animals in an infestation
• Prevention is by far the easiest approach to fleas.

According to Nell Thompson, General Manager, Animal Aid, a monthly flea treatment is recommended for all dogs and cats to prevent infestations starting, and as part of a complete parasite control system.

“There are several options, including spot-on treatments, chews and tablets. Some treat fleas alone, others may also treat a variety of other parasites, such as ticks, mites, heartworm or intestinal worms,” she said.

“A vet will be able to give the best advice as to what will suit each animal and household.”