(Newswire.net — January 6, 2016) — Many people will tell you that your pets cannot get fleas in the winter because fleas can’t survive in the cold weather and lay dormant. According to PDSA statistics, flea treatment sales drop approximately 20% in the winter. However, fleas can absolutely survive indoors in the winter months, with the central heating of many homes providing a warm environment for them to thrive.
Fleas can cause major health issues in dogs and are the leading cause of distressing skin diseases, and some smaller pets can in severe cases can even die from anemia from lack of blood from feeding the fleas, so it is important to treat your pet AND your home during the winter.
“Treating your pets is important year round” states Michael of Jersey City Unleashed Pet Hotel and Spa. “We are always sure to tell our customers to still be on alert for ticks and fleas in the winter. Don’t let your guard down.”
There are a number of different prescription and nonprescription products that can be used. Spot-on products are applied directly to the skin of your pet and generally are effective within 24 hours. Oral treatments that kill adult fleas on your pet are growing in popularity. Insect Growth Regulators are injected into the flea and passed onto their eggs leaving them unable to hatch. When your pets are treated, fleas may still attach themselves but will eventually die out after coming in contact with your pet. Using a flea comb regularly will help you identify fleas early to help put a stop to the infestation.
To treat your home, it is important to make sure that you vacuum the carpets and furniture where your pets sleep to suck up any infestations. Any bedding should be put in the washing machine where eggs, larvae, and adult fleas will not be able to survive. According to a study done by entomologist Glen Needham, PhD, of Ohio State University, 96% of all adult fleas were killed when vacuumed, and 100% of flea pupae (the hardened undigestible blood left behind by adult fleas that young fleas feed on) and larva had died in the vacuum process. Older vacuums with bags and inner brushes do a better job at killing fleas, due to all the moving parts that bang against theflea while being sucked in.
Plush carpeting is the most attractive to flea growth because the pupae gets wrapped around long strands of carpet, so non plush carpeting and wood floors are better for preventing fleas.
Washing all bedding regularly and rotating your mattress will help keep the environment dry so that fleas cannot survive too.
About Jersey City Unleashed Pet Resort & Spa
Jersey City Unleashed hosts largest play space of any pet hotel and daycare in the New York City area. Dogs and cats can roam and run throughout over half an acre of play room that includes a pool and luxury pet suites. Owners can watch their pets from work, abroad, or on-the-go with Jersey City Unleashed’s HD Pet Cams. The pet hotel and day care also offers spa and grooming for your pet, as well as a pet taxi for easy commuting.
For more information visit www.jerseycityunleashed.com or call 201-786-7900