Kitty Post: Preparing for Flea Season!

The topic this month makes my skin crawl, literally, that is how I feel about FLEAS!  If you have ever had fleas in your house, you know that getting rid of them takes a long time and a lot of effort on your part, unless you can go the route of a costly treatment by a licensed pest control company.

            Fleas are most active during warm weather which, for us, means late March/April into late November. Fleas not only bite animals, they can be rather persistent in biting people.  Flea bites can cause skin infections, hair loss, anemia (in very young kittens or puppies), and itching.  There are treatments for your home and pets to eliminate fleas, but, as they say, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.

            How can fleas get into your home?  You could move into a new home, take a routine trip to a groomer or veterinarian office, have a pet dog or cat that is not receiving regular flea prevention treatments/medication, or even have people bring them into your home.  Ther are steps you can take to reduce the risk of bringing fleas in from outside. Keep your yard free of leaves and other debris where fleas can hide. Cut your grass regularly. Long grass encourages fleas. If necessary, you may decide to use pet and environmentally friendly insecticides such as diatomaceous earth.

            There are many flea/tick preventative medications on the market that will keep your cat or dog from getting fleas.  Consult your vet to see which they recommend for your pet.  While some are available at a pet store, others must be obtained from your vet.  If you have a cat, the safest and healthiest place for it is in the house.  Indoor cats have fewer health problems and live longer than indoor/outdoor cats or cats that live outside all their lives. 

            Dog owners, make sure that you are giving heartworm prevention medication every month.  I give my dogs their pills on the first of each month so I can remember it more easily.  While easily preventable, heartworms are fatal for dogs if they are left untreated.

            April is an exciting month for Beltsville Community Cats. Please mark your calendar for our Spring Yard Sale and Adoption Event. On Saturday, April 19th, BCC is partnering with the Women in Faith (WIF) at Emmanuel United Methodist Church (EUMC) to host our Spring Yard Sale and Adoption Event. We will be at the church (11416 Cedar Lane, Beltsville 20705) from 10 am to 2 pm. Take advantage of great deals on household items, toys, pet supplies, books, and more. Lunch will be available for purchase from the WIF. Hope to see you there!