A flea and tick policy can feel like one more thing to remember before a grooming visit. But it's one of the most important ways a salon protects every pet that walks through the door, including yours.
Why do groomers require flea and tick prevention?
A grooming salon sees many pets. If one arrives with fleas or ticks, those parasites don't stay politely in one place.
That's why, at Prideful Grooming, all pets must be on flea and tick prevention before their appointment. If fleas or ticks are found at check-in, the appointment may be cancelled. It isn't about blame. It's about keeping your pet, the next pet and your home free of an infestation that can be hard to shake.
How do fleas and ticks spread between pets?
Fleas are skilled hitchhikers. VCA Animal Hospitals explains that fleas can spread directly from an infested animal to your dog, but dogs usually pick them up from their environment, because flea eggs fall off animals and hatch there. Fleas live and feed on many animals, including cats, dogs, rabbits, opossums, rodents and raccoons.
Ticks work a little differently. VCA notes that ticks often wait on long grass or brush and move onto pets as they walk by, and that ticks can also spread between pets when multiple pets are housed together, such as in kennels or shelters.
Thick coats make things trickier. The ASPCA points out that fleas and ticks can live relatively invisibly in a hair mat. VCA adds that fleas and ticks can be hard to spot, especially on cats, because they groom constantly.
Why is a flea problem so hard to get rid of?
The fleas you see are only part of the problem. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, a single female flea can produce up to 50 eggs a day and about 2,000 in her lifetime. The eggs fall onto bedding and carpets, and the life cycle typically takes 3 to 8 weeks.
Fleas can also wait. VCA explains that pupae may lie dormant for weeks to months before hatching into adults, and it recommends continuing flea control for all pets in the house for 3 to 6 months after an infestation. Merck notes that controlling an infestation can take 6 weeks to 3 months.
Fleas can even be waiting when you get back from a trip. VCA explains that when pets are away from home for a while, pupae stay in their cocoons, and once pets return, adult fleas can emerge in large numbers looking for a blood meal.
That's why prevention is so much easier than treatment. VCA puts it simply: treating an infestation is much more difficult and costly than preventing one.
Can fleas and ticks affect people too?
Fleas can make pets miserable first. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that many dogs are allergic to flea saliva, and allergic dogs can itch intensely.
They can affect people, too. The CDC notes that some fleas in the United States can spread bacteria and parasites to people that cause serious diseases, such as plague and murine typhus. VCA lists tick-borne diseases including Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
The CDC also says dogs are very susceptible to tick bites and tick-borne diseases, and that pets can carry ticks from outside into the home, where they may bite people. For families in Bergen County who enjoy parks, trails and backyards, that's a good reason to stay consistent with prevention.
How should you choose a flea and tick product?
This is a conversation for your veterinarian. There are many types of products, and the right one depends on your pet's species, age, weight, health and lifestyle. VCA notes that your veterinarian will help you choose a product that works best for you and your pet.
A few important reminders:
- Cats need special care. The CDC warns that cats are extremely sensitive to a variety of chemicals and advises never applying tick products to a cat without asking your veterinarian first.
- Keep it year-round. The CDC recommends treating pets for fleas year-round, and VCA recommends year-round prevention when possible, because fleas and ticks can survive in many climates and live inside your home.
- Protect every pet. Ask your vet about prevention for all the dogs and cats in your home, not just the one coming in for grooming.
- Check regularly. The CDC suggests checking pets for fleas regularly, and daily tick checks help keep pets healthy.
At home, the CDC also recommends vacuuming carpets, rugs and furniture cushions often and washing pet bedding frequently.
What should you do before your grooming appointment?
- Confirm your pet is current on the flea and tick prevention your vet recommends.
- Check your pet's coat, especially around the neck, ears, armpits and tail base.
- If you find fleas or ticks, call your veterinarian and reschedule at least 24 hours ahead.
- Bring rabies and distemper vaccination records and your vet's name and phone number.
Have questions about our policies? Visit our FAQ, or when your pet is protected and ready, book a groom at our East Rutherford or Rochelle Park salon.
Sources
- Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs & Cats, VCA Animal Hospitals
- Flea Control in Dogs, VCA Animal Hospitals
- Fleas of Dogs, Merck Veterinary Manual
- Preventing Fleas, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Preventing Ticks on Pets, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Hair Comes Trouble: Why Pets Need Regular Grooming, ASPCA
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet has a health concern, talk to your veterinarian.
