How to Treat Fleas on Dogs and Cats
This guide has been written in line with UK veterinary advice to help pet owners manage flea infestations safely and effectively.
What Are Fleas and Why Are They a Problem?
Fleas are one of the most common parasites affecting dogs and cats. They can cause itching, skin irritation and discomfort, and in some pets may contribute to more serious skin problems.
Signs Your Dog or Cat Has Fleas
Signs of fleas can include scratching, biting at the skin, hair loss or seeing flea dirt in the coat. Some pets may be more sensitive to flea bites than others.
Types of Flea Treatments for Dogs and Cats
There are several types of flea treatments available including spot-on treatments, tablets, sprays and household flea control products. The right option will depend on your pet, their lifestyle and the type of flea problem you are dealing with.
Treating fleas effectively usually involves both treating your pet and managing the home environment if an infestation is present. Regular preventative flea treatment can help reduce the risk of problems returning.
Why Treating Your Home for Fleas is Essential
Only around 5% of a flea infestation lives on your pet, the remaining 95% exists in the home environment as eggs, larvae and pupae. This means treating your pet alone is not enough. To effectively eliminate fleas, you must also treat your home using appropriate household flea sprays and environmental treatments.
To fully eliminate fleas, you should also treat your home using effective household flea treatments.
When to Seek Veterinary Advice
If you are unsure which flea treatment is most suitable for your pet, our team can help guide you through the available options. As registered SQPs (Suitably Qualified Persons), we can provide advice on a range of veterinary medicines and parasite treatments available without prescription.
If your pet has severe itching, skin wounds or ongoing health concerns, we recommend contacting your veterinary practice for further assessment.
Effective parasite control should also include regular worming to fully protect your pet.
Browse our flea treatments by pet:
You can also explore our full range of flea treatments for dogs and cats, including spot-on treatments, tablets and household flea sprays for complete protection.
Advice provided by the MyPetScript team. Our team includes registered SQPs (Suitably Qualified Persons) trained to advise on parasite control and the safe use of veterinary medicines that can be supplied without a prescription.
If you are unsure which treatment is suitable for your pet, you can contact our team for guidance.