Sale Of Pet Flea Treatments Down 20%

PDSA, the charity for pets in need of vets is warning pet owners that a fall-off in the sale of flea treatments during the winter months combined with warm, centrally heated homes is creating a perfect breeding ground for fleas.

PDSA reports a 20% drop in the sale of flea treatments in the winter compared to the summer. Its vets believe this is because many owners simply do not realise that fleas are just as rampant in the winter as the summer months.

PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Sean Wensley, warns:

"Pet owners should take effective steps to rid their pets, and their homes, of these parasites by carrying out a regular flea treatment programme."

PDSA estimates that some pet owning households could contain around 20,000 flea eggs at any one time, many of which will develop into adult fleas within a matter of weeks - feeding off both owner and pet.

Sean said:

"A population of just one hundred fleas can increase to over ten thousand fleas within the space of just six months because of the rapid rate at which they reproduce.

"It is vital that owners regularly use appropriate flea treatments in the correct manner. Using a dog flea treatment on a cat can result in fatal poisoning, as can exceeding the recommended dosage, so always consult your vet for advice on the best flea treatment to use. PDSA vets regularly see pets that have been treated incorrectly with flea treatments, some of whom, sadly, do not survive."

Treating your pet is only part of the solution as you will have to treat your home and any other pets within your household too. Everything the dog or cat comes into contact with should be treated with a product recommended by your vet, otherwise the fleas will come back.

Eligible pet owners, in receipt of either Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit living within the catchment area of a local PDSA PetAid service, are being offered a cut price deal on Pfizerflea treatments from the PDSA. For more information contact your local PDSA PetAid hospital or call freephone 0800 917 2509.