Flea prevention in San Diego: How to Keep Your Pet Safe
Fleas: They’re a common foe of many pet owners, and it’s not uncommon for a dog or cat to wind up with a flea problem. In fact, fleas can live almost anywhere, and sooner or later, your pet is probably going to come into contact with them. With that in mind, dealing with a flea problem is more about prevention than taking reactive action.
Also, if you see one or two (or three or four) fleas, it’s probably a safe bet that there are a heck of a lot more out there, too. And for those of us in San Diego, here’s some not-so-comforting news: San Diego is a hotbed for fleas. We actually have more fleas than any city in the country, according to the San Diego Humane Society.
So, what do you do if your dog or cat has fleas? How do you stop your dog or cat from getting fleas? Should you panic?
The problem with fleas
If you’ve never seen a flea before, they can be hard to miss. Here’s what to look for: A small, wingless, brown bug. They don’t fly, and they tend to hop or jump through an animal’s fur. If you pet your dog and see small bugs hopping around, you’re probably seeing fleas.
Fleas can bite your pet (and you) and leave small red spots. These can even cause an allergic reaction, too, which is one of the main issues with fleas. That can obviously make your pet uncomfortable or itchy. But the other big problem with fleas is that they can spread diseases or parasites, including plague or tapeworm.
That leads to bigger problems, which is why it’s important to try and limit your pet’s exposure to fleas, and to prevent them from gaining a foothold in your pet’s fur. If your pet does get a flea infestation, medication and treatments are required to kill them off. But again: Sticking to best practices to stop a flea infestation before it starts is a preferred course of action.
Here are some tips to prevent your dog or cat from getting fleas:
1. Know your enemy (fleas!)
Fleas live outside, and often in coastal, warm, humid areas. That makes San Diego a prime place for fleas to thrive, and what makes San Diego pets a prime target for fleas. Since many pets in the San Diego area are likely to spend a good amount of time outside, pet owners should do their best to keep an eye on them to see if they’re coming into contact with other animals, rolling around in leaves, or otherwise winding up in situations in which they may come into close proximity to fleas.
2. Active flea checks
Pet owners need to actively check their pets for fleas. Often. That means using a brush or a comb to inspect their fur (especially if they’ve been outside or around other animals), or simply petting them, and taking note of any potential bites, sores, or red spots. The trick is to simply pay attention and look for anything out of the ordinary.
3. Bathe and brush
As mentioned, use a brush or a comb to regularly check your pet's fur. But also, be sure you’re giving our pet a regular bath. A good scrub should wash away any pests that are living in your pet’s fur, and at least give you a chance to inspect their skin under the fur. Pay special attention to areas around your pet’s neck (such as under their collar), around their tail, on their groin and belly, and near the backs of their legs.
4. Use prevention products
There are a whole host of flea-prevention products on the market, and you should speak with your veterinarian to get personalized recommendations. But generally, many pet owners opt to treat their pets with oral medications (there are many out there), and even special collars that can help kill or repel fleas.
Remember: If your pet does get fleas, it’s not the end of the world. There are treatments out there. But fleas can make life not so fun for your pet, which is why it’s important to take care of any flea-related problems they may have and to try and prevent those problems from manifesting in the first place.
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