Fleas 101 — What Every New Pet Owner Needs To Know
If you're like most people who are on the verge of bringing a furry friend into their homes and lives for the first time, you're undoubtedly experiencing a mixture of pleasant anticipation combined with a slight amount of nervous apprehension. After all, caring for an animal is a big responsibility, and those who lack basic knowledge may feel a little intimidated by the responsibility for the health and happiness of another living creature.
The way to become a good pet parent is to simply arm yourself with as much knowledge about pet care as possible, provide your pet with good food, clean water, plenty of exercise, and a safe environment, and find a good veterinarian. The basics of pet care start with common problems, and nothing is more common than fleas. Many people think that fleas just come with the territory, but neither you nor your pet has to put up with them. The following are the three main things that all new pet owners need to know about fleas.
Fleas Carry Tapeworm
Fleas carry a parasite commonly known as tapeworm that can affect domestic pets as well as the humans who live in the household. Tapeworm infestations range from relatively mild to deadly, so it's important to do whatever you can to prevent them from becoming a part of the picture. Your veterinarian can prescribe a variety of preventive medications, but it's also recommended that pet owners minimize tapeworm infestations in the first place by taking all possible precautions against fleas.
Fleas Can Affect Indoor Pets
Even many experienced pet owners erroneously believe that indoor pets do not suffer from fleas. Although it may be true that domestic pets that spend all or most of their time indoors are less exposed to fleas than their counterparts who are outside a lot, fleas nonetheless have ways of entering indoor environments. For instance, they may become attached to your shoes as you walk up to your house, or they may squeeze through the small openings in your window screen when you open a window for a cool breeze on a warm day.
Flea Infestations Can Be Prevented
There are a variety of flea medications on the market that provide effective flea control for domestic pets. It's important to realize, however, that there is no one-size-fits-all answer for flea control because not all medications are suitable for all animals, and it may take some trial and error to find the one that works best for your particular pet.
To help your pet deal with fleas, contact a veterinary office, such as Johnstown Veterinary Associates, in your area.
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