At Forestside Veterinary Clinic, we often hear the question, “If my pet doesn’t have fleas, do they still need flea treatment?” The answer is yes!

Preventative flea treatment is crucial to keep fleas from establishing an infestation in your home or on your pet.

Fleas are stealthy and can be present even if they’re not visible. They can cause itching, allergic reactions, and spread diseases like tapeworms. Waiting until you see fleas means the problem has already begun, and addressing an infestation is far more difficult than preventing one in the first place.

Why Preventative Flea Treatment Matters

Fleas have a multi-stage life cycle. While the adult fleas you see may be relatively easy to treat, their eggs and larvae can live in your home, hiding in carpets, bedding, and furniture. These eggs can hatch weeks later, causing a new wave of fleas.

Treating your pet regularly prevents fleas from biting and reproducing, disrupting the flea life cycle before it can cause an infestation. Even pets who spend most of their time indoors are at risk, as fleas can hitch a ride inside on clothing, shoes, or other pets.

Types of Flea Treatment

There are several flea treatment options available, and it’s important to choose the one that best suits your pet’s needs:

• Spot-On Treatments: These topical treatments are applied directly to the skin and provide continuous protection for several weeks by killing adult fleas and stopping eggs from hatching.
• Oral Flea Medications: These pills or chewable tablets work systemically and provide rapid flea control.
• Environmental Control: Cleaning your home, washing your pet’s bedding, and vacuuming regularly can help reduce flea populations.

Do All Pets Need Flea Treatment?

While some pets may appear to be at low risk, regular flea prevention is generally recommended for most pets. Even indoor-only pets can be exposed to fleas, and without treatment, they can bring fleas into your home, leading to a larger problem. It is also very important to treat all pets in a household. It is not uncommon for the dog in the household to be treated but not the cat. If this happens this will still allow fleas to live in the household.

What is the best flea treatment for my pet?

At Forestside Veterinary Clinic, we can help you choose the most appropriate flea prevention plan for your pet. There is not a one size fits all approach to flea treatment but what we do know for certain is that prevention is always easier, cheaper, and less stressful for both you and your pets than treating an active flea problem. Regular flea treatment is covered through our Forestside Members Club Membership, which offers a range of preventative care benefits to keep your pet healthy year-round.

Contact us today to discuss your pet’s flea treatment options or schedule a visit to our clinic.