Dogs and Cats and Flea Allergies

Dogs and cats are at a great disadvantage when it comes to the many allergies and the suffering they cause that can be due to fleas and their presence. The identification of cause is in the fleas own saliva, particularly when the flea has bitten the animal and broke the surface of the skin of the dog or cat. Since fleas can multiply at such a quick rate and they do not leave the body of the pet on and of their own free will, the flea allergy can be long lasting in its duration.

There will be many signs and symptoms that will alert the cat or dog’s owner that they are suffering from, and are troubled by a flea allergy. Some signs or symptoms that dogs display can often be different than what a cat may exhibit to alert the owner to a problem. But in both animals, they will show similarities of the symptoms of an allergic reaction to fleas and those are usually a continuous and unrelenting itching, hair loss, the sign of sores, and a showing of unexplained depression.

Where dogs are concerned, their specific symptoms of an allergic reaction to fleas may be:

• Huge amounts of hair loss

• The show of red and swollen sores

• Scratching incessantly and irritation of certain areas, such as:

-Along the tail of the animal
-On the animals hind quarters
-Covering the hind leg area

Groin area or the sensitive area which is found between the back legs
Where cats are concerned, their specific symptoms of an allergic reaction to fleas may be:

• Constant and incessant scratching on various body parts

• Painful lesions or scabs in areas that are sensitive, such as:

-Neck area of the animal
-The facial area
-The groin area
-The main body

Gone are the days of testing for a flea allergy that involves scrapings of the skin and numerous blood tests. Just seeing evidence of a fleas mere presence is a clear indication that a flea allergy has taken place on the pet. The pet’s owner can even carry out his own testing or examination by simply searching for fleas in the dogs or cats hair and fur. Fleas are very parasitic insects in nature in and of their need to feed on the blood of their host. They are small but are capable of causing extreme irritations. Fleas are black in their coloring, which will make them even harder to spot particularly if the fur or coat of the pet is also dark in color.

Fleas also have the ability to be fast movers. This makes it next to impossible to catch the fleas on an individual basis. They leave their litter and feces all over the body of the animal and irritates the animal’s skin even further. The dirt from a flea looks like normal black dust when it is in a dry state. But when it becomes wet, the flea’s dirt appears reddish and can look copper in color.

In good news, there are ways that have been proven in flea removal and can allow the pet’s and their bodies to heal itself from the onslaught of the flea related allergy. Here are some on those ways:

• Use a comb designed for fleas - Combs are readily made for this specific use and can be easily purchased from the many pet supply stores or most veterinarians sell them. Flea combs are made with specifics so that they allow you to comb out the fleas along with there dirt and debris from the hair and coat of the animal.

• Dipping or bathing the animal in a solution is recommended - The forms of these solutions are usually a made with mixtures of water and a particular type of detergent which your pets vet can recommend. The ingredient of the detergent allows immediate killing of the fleas and will break their hold on the skin allowing them to be washed out with ease.

The pet’s owner will then see dead fleas surfacing and floating in the bath water when using the solution. It is not uncommon to notice that the water itself can turn reddish in color due to the loosening and abundance of flea dirt.

• Keeping the pet’s environment clean - A thorough scrubbing or cleaning of the pet’s areas will also aid in flea riddance and removing the source of the fleas. Simply cleaning of the pet will not suffice as the fleas can lay their eggs and they will keep resurfacing causing repeated flea allergies and outbreaks. The areas of the pet and their environments must be soured too.

• Application of medications providing anti-itch relief - Medications can be taken orally by the pet or by directly applying it onto the affected skin area. These are found to be beneficial in reducing the painful irritation and non-stop itching and can provide protection of further infection.

Should Outside Cats Use a Collar

Cat owners usually find themselves to be in a dilemma over if they should or shouldn’t use a collar on there cat that lives much of its life out of doors. The discussion however is at a stand still over the advantages and disadvantages or pros and cons of fitting a collar on their outside cat, but numerous veterinarians and cat enthusiasts or expert will agree that a collar is indeed the best way to go. But, before you make that decision, take a quick peek at these particular advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:

* Cat with collars can have their identification and or registration tags displayed properly. This can become critical in the case your outdoor cat should become lost or is found and confiscated by a concerned neighbor or individual. Also, you can fit a collar with a an ability to hold a bell or other noise generators that can startle potential prey and aid the cat in to scare them away.

* Many cat collars are made or can be fitted with materials that are reflective in nature. Being that the collar can be made totally out of reflective material or that it may only be constructed with a tiny strip, this will aid your cat in becoming more noticeable at night and are able to be seen. Cats, particularly ones that are of a dark color, can become almost nonexistent in their ability to be seen properly at night, which can and is a potentially fatal situation.

Disadvantages:

* Cat collars will easily become snagged and can cause your cat to hang or become stuck on protrusions such as branches and fences, or on almost anything else that can be found in the wonderful outdoors. Many cats found no longer alive, have been strangled when they have become entangled by their collar getting caught or hooked on something and the collar then cut off the animal’s ability to breathe.

* Cats may not be very comfortable when having to wear a collar as it may be heavy for the animal to wear.

Given these advantages and disadvantages, you can and should consider your choice of a collar that shown to maximize the rights and minimize the wrongs. An example of this could be in that there are numerous collars that are sold in stores or markets that have been made specifically in their design to become unhooked or unclasp itself should the cat ever become hung. These specialized collars have been considered strangle-proof and should release the animal when about seven or so pounds of pressure is detected and applied. In this way, the cat can break free from any snare that it finds itself in.

There are many different forms of collars sold within the market or pet specialty stores aimed at pets. Many pet stores won’t mind you bringing feline friend with you to be fitted properly and will allow you to try a few different types of collars in your search to find one that fits the best. Try not to choose one that is made like a harness for your outdoor cat unless you want to walk them on a leash. If you are going to purchase one of these types of collars then only use on them on your cat while in they are in your presence, and only let your cat wear a harness while humanly supervised, as most of them are not snare-proof.

Collars are very much encouraged to be placed and worn by cats that spend any time at all outside or in. In aiding and adding to the visibility of your cat, the collar can hold the identification of the animal that is deemed valuable, should you find your animal missing or lost and will assist you in finding them.