With spring upon us, it’s time to keep an open eye for warning signs that fleas are piggybacking on our favorite dogs!

Fleas feed on blood and cause symptoms such as: skin irritation, allergic reactions, anemia, scratching, and tiny black specks, which could indicate flea eggs.

Whenever your dog has been outdoors, always inspect him when he comes back inside. Be thorough! Check between their toes, behind and in ears, armpits, head, and tail. Use a flea comb to catch any fleas you might have missed.

Inside your home you can make a simple flea trap. Fill a shallow dish about halfway with water. Add a few drops of dish-washing soap. Place the dish on the floor or a table and set a light above it. The fleas will be attracted to it, fall in and drown.

In the yard, remove dead plants and clear excess brush. These are ideal places for fleas and ticks to thrive.

 

About NAPPS

NAPPS is a national nonprofit trade association dedicated to promoting the welfare of animals. The Association aims to help the pet owning public, those interested in pet sitting, and professionals engaged in the in-home pet care industry by fulfilling its vision statement, serving as “the most respected authority in professional pet sitting.” It does so by providing the tools and support to foster the success of its members. Additionally, pet parents can benefit from NAPPS’ free resources including a disaster preparedness guide, tips on how to select a pet sitter, nationwide referral service, and quarterly teleconferences aimed to educate the pet owning public. To find a pet sitter in your area, check out NAPPS’ nationwide “Pet Sitter Locator” at www.petsitters.org. For more information on NAPPS, please follow @TheNAPPS on Twitter or join us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNAPPS.

 

 

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