Fleas and Your Pet

Beyond the Scratch: A Pet Sitter’s Guide to Flea Prevention

What We Look for During Our Visits
During our daily visits, our team at Love and Kisses Pet Sitting keeps an eye out for potential problems.

• Excessive scratching: Is your pet scratching, licking, or chewing more than usual? This could be a sign of fleas, or worse, an allergic reaction to flea saliva.
• Flea dirt: We look for the classic “flea dirt” — tiny, dark specks that look like pepper but are actually flea waste.
• Changes in behavior: Lethargy, loss of appetite, or an unkempt coat can sometimes be signs of a larger problem related to parasites. 

Serious Risks to Address with Your Vet
We have seen the serious side effects of unchecked fleas and want all our clients to be aware of the potential dangers.

• The anemia risk: Heavy flea infestations can cause anemia, especially in the most vulnerable pets. This can happen rapidly and requires immediate veterinary attention.
• Preventable parasites: Did you know that fleas can carry tapeworm eggs? If a pet swallows an infected flea, a tapeworm can develop in their intestines. The good news is this is easily prevented with proper flea control.
• Diseases affecting humans: Cats can carry bacteria that causes Cat Scratch Disease, a concern for people with compromised immune systems. This is just one more reason to take flea prevention seriously. 

Partner with Love and Kisses Pet Sitting

• Consistent care: Our regular visits help maintain routines and provide an opportunity for us to spot any signs of infestation early.
• Safe and professional: We can follow your vet’s prescribed medication schedule and help you administer any necessary treatments.

Preventing an infestation is always easier than treating one. Talk to your vet about the best year-round preventative for your pet, and let us be your extra set of eyes and hands!

Love and Kisses Pet Sitting provides Daily Dog Walking and Vacation Pet Sitting for domestic, exotic and farm animals in the following areas of Charlotte: The Arboretum, Ballantyne, Brandon Oaks neighborhood, Concord, Harrisburg, Hemby Bridge, Highland Creek neighborhood, Northeast/Southeast Charlotte, NC, Indian Land, Kannapolis, Lake Park, Marvin, Matthews, Mint Hill, Monroe, Providence Estates East neighborhood, Providence Plantation neighborhood, Provincetowne neighborhood, Skybrook neighborhood, Stallings, Waxhaw, Weddington, and Wesley Chapel. Our service area covers parts of Cabarrus, Mecklenburg and Union counties!