Do you know that fleas and ticks are very different and that they both have their own set of risks that can affect your pet differently? However, I'm just going to talk about fleas today and I'll talk about ticks another day.
Just A Few Risks Fleas Pose To Your Pet
Fleas are related to ants and beetles and feed on blood which then leads to an irritation and/or skin allergies. Many believe that their pets scratching has nothing to do with fleas because their pet isn't infested with them. However, that's not true. Your pet could have very easily gotten bit by one flea, which in turn caused him or her to get a Flea Allergy Dermatitis commonly known as FAD.
FAD is actually an allergy to flea saliva and is a very common condition in dogs. The saliva from a flea can cause an irritation that's way out of proportion to the actual number of fleas on your pup. Which can make them miserable, itchy, and very uncomfortable for many weeks, even after the fleas are gone. Fleas can transmit tapeworms, which can cause Bartonellosis commonly known as the "Cat Scratch Disease" and can cause a severe case of anemia, especially in younger animals.
No matter what fleas can or can not cause they are a total pain in the butt, and if you live in an area where they can thrive (such as Florida like myself) it can be a constant battle to keep them under control. A flea can flourish in temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit with a humidity percent range that is between 75 and 80 percent. In some locations flea season is all year round. However, in other locations the types of fleas that are a bothersome to pets and people may not be considered such a big problem.
Another known fact is that fleas are usually attracted to an unhealthy pet. They are drawn to the weakest animals that they're able to find first. One of your best defenses against a flea infestation is to feed your pet an appropriate, well balanced, species-appropriate, fresh food diet. By doing this you'll help keep his or her immune system functioning properly. In addition to feeding your pet a proper diet you should remove any environmental factors that can affect your pet's immune system.
5 Environmental Factors That Negatively Impact Your Pet's Immune System.
1. Poor Quality Drinking Water: Always make sure to provide your pet fresh chlorine and fluoride free water.
2. Getting Too Many Vaccines: Yes, there is such a thing as too many vaccines! Do you know that VACCINATING UNNECESSARY WILL NOT BUILD NOR HELP YOUR PETS IMMUNE SYSTEM? IN FACT IT WILL DESTROY IT! The next time you take your pet in for a check up, demand that your vet does a titer test to check your pets vaccine protection levels before giving your pet anymore vaccines.
3. Toxic Household Chemical Load: Get rid of all non-organic pet beds sprayed with flame retardants (Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers also known as PBDEs) as well as toxic household cleaners. Both can end up inside your pet and disrupt his or her endocrine system.
4. Yard Chemicals: Get rid of all herbicides, fertilizers, and pesticides inside and outside of your home as all of these affect your pets immunologic health.
5. Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs): Provide your pet a safe area that's free from toxic levels of Electromagnetic Fields as well as electrical devices in your home.