Fleas, ticks and worms

Fleas

Fleas are small, fast-moving insects that feed on blood. Adult fleas live on your pet, but most of a flea population, in the form of eggs, larvae and pupae, lives in the home: in carpets, bedding, sofas and cracks in floorboards. That is why seeing one or two fleas on your pet often means many more nearby.

Signs of fleas include:

• Scratching, nibbling or over-grooming, especially around the back and base of the tail
• Hair loss or scabs, sometimes called flea allergy in sensitive pets
• Small black specks in the coat, known as flea dirt

To check for flea dirt, comb your pet over a damp piece of white kitchen paper. If the specks turn reddish-brown, it is digested blood and fleas are likely.

Fleas can also pass on tapeworm, and heavy infestations can cause anaemia, particularly in young, small or frail animals.

Ticks

Ticks are small spider relatives that attach to the skin and feed for several days before dropping off. They are often picked up in long grass, woodland and areas with wildlife or livestock. A feeding tick can look like a small grey or brown bump and is sometimes mistaken for a skin tag.

Ticks can carry diseases that affect pets and people, so prompt and careful removal matters. Check your pet after walks in tick-prone areas, paying attention to the head, ears, neck, armpits and between the toes.

Removing a tick safely

Use a proper tick removal tool, available from vets and pet shops. These are designed to grip the tick close to the skin.

1. Part the fur so you can see where the tick attaches.
2. Slide the tool under the tick, close to the skin.
3. Twist gently, following the tool's instructions, until the tick comes away.
4. Clean the area and wash your hands.

Do not squeeze the tick's body, pull it straight off with your fingers, burn it, or cover it in oils or alcohol. These can cause the tick to release more saliva or leave the mouthparts behind. If you are not confident, your vet or vet nurse can remove it for you. Contact your vet if the area becomes swollen or sore, or your pet seems unwell in the days or weeks afterwards.

Worms

Several types of worm can affect dogs and cats. The most common are:

• Roundworms, which are especially common in puppies and kittens and can be passed on from the mother
• Tapeworms, often picked up from fleas or from eating prey
• Lungworm, which affects dogs and can be caught from slugs and snails, including from toys or water bowls left outside

Many pets with worms show no signs at all. When signs do appear, they can include weight loss, a pot-bellied look in young animals, diarrhoea or vomiting, scooting, visible segments around the bottom or in faeces, and a dull coat. Lungworm can cause coughing, tiredness, and bleeding problems. Some worms can also pass to people, which is another good reason for regular treatment and washing hands after picking up after your pet.

Why year-round prevention is often advised

Fleas thrive in centrally heated homes, so they are not just a summer problem. Ticks can be active in milder spells through the year, and worms do not follow the seasons. For these reasons, many vets advise regular prevention all year rather than treating only when problems appear. How often, and with which products, depends on your pet.

Treat every pet in the home

If one pet has fleas, the others very likely do too, even if they are not scratching. Treat all the dogs and cats in the household at the same time, using a product suitable for each one. Alongside this:

• Wash pet bedding on a hot cycle
• Vacuum carpets, furniture and car seats regularly, and empty the vacuum outside
• Ask your vet about household sprays, and keep pets and fish tanks safely away while you use them

It can take several weeks to clear a flea problem from the home, because new fleas keep hatching from pupae.

Never use dog flea products on cats

This is one of the most important safety points. Some flea treatments made for dogs contain permethrin, which is highly toxic to cats. Even a small amount can cause tremors, seizures and can be fatal. Cats can also be affected by close contact with a recently treated dog.

• Only use products labelled for the species and weight of the pet you are treating
• Never split a dog product to use on a cat
• Keep cats away from treated dogs until the product has dried, if the label advises it

If a cat has been exposed to a dog flea product, or shows twitching, trembling or seizures after any treatment, call your vet immediately. This is an emergency.

Working with your vet

Your vet can suggest a parasite plan based on your pet's age, weight, health, whether they hunt or roam, how often they meet other animals, whether they travel, and the parasites common in your area. Prescription products are often more effective than some shop-bought options, and your vet can explain the differences.

Keeping a simple record of treatment dates helps you stay on schedule. If you sign up to Petopedia, you can keep reminders and notes in one place alongside your pet's other care.

When to call your vet

Contact your vet if your pet is scratching a lot or has sore skin, if you see worms or segments, if you cannot remove a tick, or if your pet has diarrhoea, vomiting, weight loss, coughing or seems lethargic. Call straight away for pale gums, unexplained bleeding or bruising, or any reaction after a parasite treatment.