Most frustrating and dreadful of all pet problems is the flea problem. Ask any furry pet owner and they will tell you how much they dread these tiny trouble makers. If your pet has fleas, you are into trouble. I can assure of that.
A female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day, and the worst part -- they hatch very fast. Use some mathematics -the permutation and combination method - and you can understand their potential to become immortal.
Fleas are miniature dark brown insects - nasty parasites - those thrive on pet mammals. They thrive at temperatures of 60-80 degree Fahrenheit and at humidity level between 75-85 percent. So, you see, these pest are not just "summer" phenomena, they can be around the year at location with favorable humidity and temperature.
Your pet veterinarian can diagnose the infestation from miles away - without even looking closely at your pet. With all that itching, your cat or dog will be restless. The "pruritus" is simply irresistible.
However, you can do a test at home to find that out for yourself.
That's it! You pet has fleas. Time to consult your pet veterinarian.
Now don't worry about these tiny brats! You can get rid of them. It will take some time and effort, but it's possible!
If you love your furry pets, you're not going to offer your pet for adoption. I mean, out of sheer disgust or fear of these bloody parasites. Only adult ones are blood-suckers, by the way.
Time to know the ins and outs of your new enemy. If you understand how they live and die, that would be first step towards flea-control.
There are different kinds of fleas - for cats, dogs, rabbits, humans, and for other mammals with furs. There are different species but they have a very common life cycle.
Adults lay eggs, each egg hatch and become a larva, then pupa or cocoon. It then opens to let the young flea get out. Now he / she needs organic stuff to feed on and grow till adulthood. At this stage the flea doesn't need blood, so it can survive without a host. Once they get a suitable nourishing host, they grow in leaps and bounds. The cycle is complete once it matures and lays eggs.
The duration of this cycle is not very predictable. The eggs can lie dormant till they get the right
temperature and humidity conditions to hatch. Similarly, all the stages are dependent upon environmental conditions.
When the conditions are perfect, the flea life cycle completes in only 14 days. Under average to unfavorable conditions it varies between a month and a year.
A female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day, and the worst part -- they hatch very fast. Use some mathematics -the permutation and combination method - and you can understand their potential to become immortal.
 |
| Cat and Dog Fleas |
Fleas are miniature dark brown insects - nasty parasites - those thrive on pet mammals. They thrive at temperatures of 60-80 degree Fahrenheit and at humidity level between 75-85 percent. So, you see, these pest are not just "summer" phenomena, they can be around the year at location with favorable humidity and temperature.
The Flea Test
Your pet veterinarian can diagnose the infestation from miles away - without even looking closely at your pet. With all that itching, your cat or dog will be restless. The "pruritus" is simply irresistible.
However, you can do a test at home to find that out for yourself.
- Take a white towel, something like your kitchen towel.
- Make your pet to stand / lie down on that.
- Take a fine comb and comb your pet for some time.
- If fleas fall down, you know what you got.
- If you find some dark colored powder or dust on your towel instead of fleas, you need one more step. Those may be flea droppings.
- Collect some of these flea dirt into a white porcelain plate and add few drops of water. They will turn reddish or dark brown when they come in contact with water, because that's digested blood.
That's it! You pet has fleas. Time to consult your pet veterinarian.
Now don't worry about these tiny brats! You can get rid of them. It will take some time and effort, but it's possible!
Flea Life Cycle
If you love your furry pets, you're not going to offer your pet for adoption. I mean, out of sheer disgust or fear of these bloody parasites. Only adult ones are blood-suckers, by the way.
Time to know the ins and outs of your new enemy. If you understand how they live and die, that would be first step towards flea-control.
 |
| Cat and Dog Flea Life Cycle |
There are different kinds of fleas - for cats, dogs, rabbits, humans, and for other mammals with furs. There are different species but they have a very common life cycle.
Adults lay eggs, each egg hatch and become a larva, then pupa or cocoon. It then opens to let the young flea get out. Now he / she needs organic stuff to feed on and grow till adulthood. At this stage the flea doesn't need blood, so it can survive without a host. Once they get a suitable nourishing host, they grow in leaps and bounds. The cycle is complete once it matures and lays eggs.
The duration of this cycle is not very predictable. The eggs can lie dormant till they get the right
temperature and humidity conditions to hatch. Similarly, all the stages are dependent upon environmental conditions.
When the conditions are perfect, the flea life cycle completes in only 14 days. Under average to unfavorable conditions it varies between a month and a year.