The life cycle of ticks and fleas and how you can protect your pets
Knowledge is power, so understanding the life cycles of ticks and fleas will go a long way in protecting your pets.
Nobody wants to see their pets suffer from the effects ticks and fleas can have on them.
That’s why it is so important to understand how fleas and ticks go about their business, as this will help to keep them away from your beloved fur babies.
READ: The two most common tick-borne diseases affecting South African dogs
The life cycle of a flea
A flea’s life cycle lasts for around 14 days, while adult fleas can lay up to 50 eggs a day. Pretty scary when you think about it…
Once a flea has entered your home, which can happen via your clothing, shoes or on your cat or dog’s fur, they start the reproduction process within 24 hours.
After biting your fur baby and nourishing themselves with blood, fleas will use your carpets, upholstery, and clothing as their breeding ground. Essentially, wherever your pet goes, flea eggs will fall off.
Flea eggs don’t do well in colder environments and hatch much faster in warmer environments, with a humidity level of at least 50% required for optimal breeding.
Flea eggs then develop into larvae, and then pupae, before becoming adult fleas that live on your pet, feed on their blood, and lay new eggs, starting the life cycle all over again.
The life cycle of a tick
The dreaded tick goes through four stages during their life cycle: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. Ticks feed on dogs and cats during their larval, nymph, and adult stages.
Once a tick latches onto your pet, they feed and mate on your pet.
When ready to do so, female ticks fall off your pet and lay thousands of eggs within your home. Just think about that for a second…
The larvae that hatch then go about finding a host. Once they become nymphs, they find new hosts in order to feed again.
Once nymphs become adult ticks, the life cycle starts all over again.
READ: How classical music can calm your dog
How to protect your dog
While ticks and fleas are common pests, you can protect your fur babies by using preventative measures such as Credelio.
Credelio is an oral medication for the prevention and treatment of ticks and fleas.
Credelio starts killing fleas within 2 hours from administration with fleas being eliminated within 6 hours. Credelio has an onset of effect within 4 hours against pre-existing tick infestations and 8 hours against newly acquired ticks for the entire month.
Credelio's active ingredient, lotilaner, is a member of the isoxazoline family, a novel class of parasiticides that target nerve receptors of ticks and fleas for powerful protection.
Find out more about Credelio HERE.
Disclaimer: Pet health-related information provided in this article is not a substitute for veterinary advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat your pet’s health problems. It is always advisable to consult with your vet on any health-related issues.
This article is sponsored by Credelio
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