Fleas are a serious health hazard for pets, so as a pet owner, you should do everything you can to get rid of the pests. However, even good pet parents who religiously care for their pets with anti-flea products sometimes notice that the products don't seem to work as well as they used to. If you're experiencing this problem, keep reading to learn why it happens and what you can do about it.
Resistance
Fleas, like any pest, can build up a tolerance to anti-flea medications. While flea collars and topical ointments may initially kill 99.9% of fleas successfully, that allows the one or two fleas that survive to continue procreating. If they contain a genetic difference from their peers that allows them to survive the medication, that gene could get passed on to other fleas. Over time, if that gene becomes dominant, you could experience a much large quantity of fleas that are immune or at least resistant to the medication you're using on your pet.
Different Strain of Fleas
Another possibility is that not all fleas are susceptible to the same medication to begin with. If you've moved recently, the medication you once used might not be as effective where you're living now as it was in your old location. There are different types of fleas all over the United States and the planet, and some of them will be less affected by certain types of medications than others.
Thicker Fur
Lastly, if your pet has grown out a thicker coat, your flea medication may not be doing as good a job. In addition to offering additional places for fleas to hide, a thick coat can prevent flea medication from reaching the skin, where it needs to be in order to effectively repel and kill fleas. This is most often a problem during the cold months of the year, when pets tend to grow out a thicker coat in order to stay warm. However, some pet parents also experience this issue when their kittens or puppies grow up, as younger pets will sometimes have thinner coats than when they become adults.
If you're dissatisfied with the job that your flea protection is doing, talk to a veterinarian. Your vet can not only offer tips and advice on applying your anti-flea meds to ensure maximum efficacy but they can also tell you which flea medications are most effective in the area you're living in. It's probably time to switch to a new anti-flea medication, so don't be afraid to talk to your veterinarian for suggestions on what works best.
Contact a center like Foothills Animal Hospital for more information.
