Pet owners warned autumn heating could trigger hidden flea infestations
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Summer may be over, but flea season is not necessarily finished. Here’s why turning the heating back on could help a hidden infestation develop and what pet owners can do about it.
The summer heatwaves may be behind us, but dog and cat owners are being warned not to assume flea season has disappeared with them. September can still bring mild weather across the UK, while the return of central heating creates warm indoor conditions in which fleas can continue to thrive.
That means a small flea problem picked up during summer walks or time outdoors can follow pets into the home and develop into a much bigger infestation during autumn. Fleas reproduce quickly, with females capable of laying dozens of eggs a day in favourable conditions, making regular flea treatment for cats and dogs important even after summer ends.
Why fleas can spread around the home
The fleas you spot on your pet can be only part of the problem. Eggs can fall into carpets, sofas, bedding and other soft furnishings, where they hatch into larvae before developing into pupae and eventually emerging as adult fleas ready to find a host.
Warm conditions can speed up this life cycle, so switching the heating back on can create a comfortable environment for fleas even when it is cooler outside. Treating the pet alone may therefore not be enough once an infestation is established, which is why an appropriate monthly flea treatment should be combined with tackling the home.
Vacuum floors, carpets and soft furnishings thoroughly, paying particular attention to areas where your dog or cat sleeps. Pet bedding should also be washed according to its care instructions, using a hot wash where the material allows, while an appropriate household flea spray can help target fleas and developing stages around the home.
Always follow the instructions supplied with pet and household flea products carefully. Cats and dogs can require different treatments and doses, so never assume a product designed for one animal is suitable for another. Itch's flea treatment is tailored according to the pet's size and breed and is designed to provide 30 days of protection.
Signs your pet could have fleas
Frequent scratching is the most obvious warning sign, but fleas are not always easy to see. Dogs and cats may bite or lick themselves more often, become restless or develop irritated skin, while tiny dark specks in their coat can also be a clue. A fine-toothed flea comb can help, but significant irritation, hair loss or illness should be discussed with a vet.
The key is to act early and tackle both your pet and its surroundings rather than allowing the cycle to continue. Regular preventative treatment can also help stop a fresh infestation becoming established, with Itch offering monthly flea treatment delivered to your door so owners do not have to remember to reorder each month.
How to stop fleas coming back
Itch says its treatment is vet approved, available without prescription and also protects against ticks. New subscription customers can currently get their first month's flea treatment free, although a £3.49 postage and packaging charge applies to the first order for each pet. The offer is available for up to three pets, and subscriptions can be moved, paused or cancelled.
The end of summer does not necessarily mean the end of flea problems. Mild September weather followed by weeks spent inside warm homes can give an infestation plenty of opportunity to continue, making autumn a sensible time to check pets, clean their sleeping areas and make sure regular treatment has not been forgotten.
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