Why use pet flea and worm treatments for puppies and kittens?
Young pets are much more vulnerable to the ill effects of parasites than their parents. Puppies and kittens lack the coordination to effectively groom themselves to reduce the numbers of cat or dog fleas living in their coat. When a litter is born into a nest with fleas it provides the perfect conditions for the number of fleas to rapidly multiply. The presence of warm bodies in one location allows fleas to rapidly complete their life cycle, ready to re-infect the occupants of the nest. Pet flea and worm treatments play a role in protecting your young animal from fleas and worms.
Why parasite protection is vital
The small size of puppies and kittens means that the loss of blood caused by fleas can cause life-threatening anaemia. The burden of fleas on young animals can overwhelm their immune systems making them more susceptible to other illnesses. Fleas can carry the eggs of tapeworms, when an egg-carrying flea is ingested, the tapeworm will hatch and attach themselves to the intestine lining. Intestinal worms pose a greater risk to puppies and kittens than to adult dogs and cats.
Symptoms include diarrhoea and a reduced ability to absorb nutrients from food, but in severe cases the sheer number of worms can cause complete intestinal obstruction.
The best protection against fleas is the consistent regular application of an effective pet flea and worm treatment. Treatment of your pet should always be accompanied with housekeeping of your pet’s environment to remove any developing flea eggs, larvae and pupae.
Flea and worm subscription box service
The best protection against fleas is the consistent regular application of an effective product. Once your kitten or puppy is 8 weeks old, and weighs more than 2kg, they can sign up to Protect My Pet. This will ensure they are always protected from the effects of fleas. It is advisable to treat your home environment to remove any developing flea eggs, larvae and pupae that may be lurking prior to the introduction of a new kitten or puppy.
Written by Lindsay Rose MA VetMB CertAVP CertVBM MRCVS