Housing pets indoors can help to protect pets from a lot of dangers, like getting lost, being hit by cars, getting into fights with other animals, and being exposed to different types of infections. But did you know that even indoor pets can catch fleas?
Fleas can be a big problem, even for pets who stay indoors. Some pets can have an allergic reaction to fleas, which makes the itching and discomfort worse. Fleas can feed so heavily on kittens and puppies that they can become anemic. Flea bites can also transmit infections to humans like tapeworms. Unfortunately, indoor-only pets are probably more commonly infested with fleas than you think. Checking for fleas and doing what you can to prevent them are important steps to help ensure the health of your pets and your family.
Here are the top 5 ways indoor pets can catch fleas:
1. Hitching a Ride
Gross as it sounds, fleas are excellent jumpers. While they can’t fly, they can jump onto people and hang on their clothing or shoes—and then hitch a ride right into the home.
2. Other Pets in the Home
This is the most common way for fleas to enter into a home. Dogs, cats, or other pets with outdoor access can bring fleas into the home with them. Local wildlife can also carry fleas that they may generously donate to your furry family members.
3. Other Places Your Pet Visits
Pets can pick up fleas at rescues / shelters, catteries, grooming facilities, daycares, boarding facilities, a vet’s office —any place where animals get together.
4. Rodents and Wildlife
Let’s call fleas opportunists. They don’t just feed on dogs and cats, they also will happily target rodents and many other mammals. If your house has a mouse, rat, or other mammalian wildlife problem, fleas could be gaining access through these animals into your home. Once inside the home, they can easily jump onto cats and dogs.
5. Moving into a Different Home or Purchasing Used Furniture
Fleas don’t love super dry or super cold environments. But homes with carpets and central heating can provide ideal conditions for year-round flea infestations. Fleas and flea eggs may not be visible in the home, particularly if they are burrowed into carpets, furniture, and cracks between floorboards or baseboards. The highest number of flea eggs, larvae, and pupae are in areas where pets spend the most time (for example, on beds and furniture).
What Can You Do?
Fleas are sometimes hard to prevent, but here are some steps you can take to reduce risk of flea infestation:
- Keep all dogs and cats in the household or that you pet comes into contact with is on year-round flea prevention.
- Keep an eye out for fleas on your pets and let your veterinarian know if you see them. Fleas usually prefer staying behind the head, on the back by the base of the tail, and on the underbelly. “Flea dirt” is actually flea feces, and you can also see this as tiny black to dark red flecks on the hair coat or skin.
- Take steps to keep rodents out of your home. Metal screens over plumbing and ventilation pipes, and tight seals on screens, windows, and doors can help. Keep your house free of crumbs and food that could attract rodents. If you have a rodent problem, use humane traps or consult an exterminator.
- Clean up after house guests—wash floors, sheets, bathrooms, couches, towels, and upholstery.
- If you use furniture owned by people who had pets or are moving into a home where there were previously animals, hire a professional cleaning service and consider using a flea fogger.
What’s the best defense against flea infestations in the home? Keeping your pets on year-round flea prevention!
Many of the most effective flea preventatives require a prescription from your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can also help you make the best decision for flea control product based on your pet’s lifestyle, age, weight, and concurrent medical conditions. Make sure your pet is up-to-date on rechecks with your veterinarian for the best chance for success!