Why does flea treatment fail?

There are several reasons why a flea treatment may fail:

• Incorrect application of the product, for example massaging it into the coat or spreading it across the back.
• Wrong product. Natural remedies do not kill fleas.
• Incorrect dosage, for example using too little spray or choosing a pipette or tablet for the wrong weight category.
• Irregular repetition. The interval between two treatments is often too long.
• Frequent swimming or washing can reduce the effectiveness of a product.
• The immature stages of the flea in the environment are not sufficiently treated, such as in the car or garage where your pet also goes.
• Not all animals in the household are treated at the same time.
• Unrealistic expectations on the part of the owner.
• A combination of factors.

Unrealistic expectations on the part of the owner

Once you have fleas in your home, you will not get rid of them quickly. Despite your efforts, it can take 3 to 6 months before you are completely flea free. This is due to the flea’s life cycle and the fact that eggs, larvae and pupae in the environment are not always fully addressed during treatment.

Products used to treat dogs and cats kill adult fleas within a few hours. How long this takes varies greatly depending on the product used. Some products kill fleas within 2 hours, before they are able to lay eggs. Other products may take up to 24 hours, allowing fleas to lay eggs that then fall into the environment.

When the pupae hatch, new adult fleas appear and jump back onto your pet. These new fleas must first be killed by the active ingredient in or on your pet. As a result, you may still find live adult fleas on your animal for days or even weeks. This has nothing to do with how well the product works, but with the level of environmental contamination.

Also read our blog: Getting rid of fleas in your home.

What does the ideal flea treatment look like?

According to ESCCAP, the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites, a flea treatment should include the following:

• Killing adult fleas with an ectoparasiticide.
• Repeating the treatment regularly according to the prescribed interval of the product used.
• Treating all other animals in the same household.
• Considering treatment of the environment. Regular use of products that kill adult fleas on the animal will also help reduce environmental contamination.
• Vacuuming and washing bedding help with control.
• Combing the coat to monitor any infestation.

What does flea prevention and ongoing control look like?

ESCCAP also provides advice on how to prevent a flea infestation:

• Modern flea control focuses on preventing fleas on animals.
• Individual reinfestation depends on the animal’s lifestyle.

Prevention is better than cure. Especially if your pet lives in an environment with a high level of flea contamination, for example due to many rabbits, rodents, hedgehogs, chickens or stray cats nearby, it is important to treat your pet regularly as a preventive measure.

Find the best treatment for fleas and ticks for dogs or for cats here.

Flea control checklist

Are you struggling to get rid of fleas? Then ask yourself the following questions:

• Which product was used, and for which animal species and weight category?
• Which animals are present in the household?
• How often and at what intervals has treatment been given?
• How exactly was the product applied?
• Are there contacts with other potentially infested animals?

1. Which product was used, and for which animal species and weight category?

In the case of a flea infestation, it is advisable to use a product that kills fleas quickly, before they can lay eggs, and that also works on eggs and larval stages in the environment. Always choose a product that matches your pet’s weight. Only use a product that is suitable for dogs or for cats. Products intended for dogs can be toxic to cats.

2. Which animals are present in the household?

Treat all animals within one household. Do not forget the rabbit.

3. How often and at what intervals has treatment been given?

The leaflet of the product used states how often you need to repeat the treatment. Remember that an interval of 4 weeks is not the same as treating once a month.

4. How exactly was the product applied?

Did you use the product as directed? If you are using a collar, is it fitted tightly enough? If you choose a pipette, it usually needs to be applied to one single spot. It will then spread naturally via the skin’s oil layer. Spreading it across the back can dilute the product or allow your dog or cat to lick it off the coat.

5. Are there contacts with other potentially infested animals?

Do you have hedgehogs, chickens or rabbits in the garden that could reinfest your pet? Or many outdoor cats nearby? This can make it more difficult to become completely flea free. In that case, it is even more important to administer an effective product at the correct intervals.

Ask for an explanation

Are you unsure how the product you purchased works? Or do you not know how to use it? Ask for advice. You can ask the veterinary nurse to demonstrate how to use the product, for example how tightly a collar should be fitted.

Some products remain in the skin’s oil layer and cause a flea to die without biting. Other products enter the bloodstream and only kill fleas after they have taken a blood meal. This is important to know if, for example, you have a dog or cat with a flea allergy, where the flea’s saliva triggers an allergic reaction.

Do you have questions about controlling or preventing fleas? Please contact us at veterinarian@vetsend.co.uk.