Many years ago when my daughter was about 18 mos. old, we had two miniature poodles. All of us went out of town one weekend and returned Sunday night. I put my daughter down on the floor to walk around and to play as we put our bags in the bedroom. Within minutes, my daughter was screaming with tears flowing, grabbing at her back. I rushed in to see what was going on and, upon lifting her shirt, found her tiny back covered in fleas…not just a few but her back was nearly black! It was horrific. They were on her little legs, as well. Then they were on mine, then my husband’s. Our living room rug (the then popular shag!) was so infested with fleas that we had to get out of there. I guess our dogs had kept them entertained prior to our going away then new ones hatched or whatever while we were gone and they were hungry. It was like a horror movie. And, no, we didn’t realize we had fleas. I know. Sounds impossible. But true, nonetheless. We had to spend the next two nights in a motel, having to fumigate first thing the next morning.
This event was pre-Frontline, Advantage and the like. We had flea powder and spray – better than nothing but only nominally effective. In this day and age of the wonderful products that require merely a drop of fluid on the back of the neck once a month, fleas should not be an issue for anyone. I know it can be expensive if you have more than one dog, but it so worth it! Flea products like Frontline and Advantage typically have a “plus” version that also kills ticks. With Lyme Disease so prevalent anymore, keeping ticks away is a good idea. The tick prevention may not be as important for urban dwelling dogs is it is for country dwellers, so weigh the need as the “plus” versions tend to be a bit more expensive.
I caution you about the cheaper brand flea preventions. I wasted a lot of money trying to be frugal. They just don’t do the job. And the ones touted as “natural”? Oh, please. You would do better to just bathe your pet every day. Worthless. You know the adage “you get what you pay for”. The ingredients might be the same, I don’t know, have never checked. But the cheaper ones don’t do something right – lesser content of the killing agents, perhaps. All I know is they don’t work. I personally favor Frontline – no reason except that I started with them. However, I use Advantage sometimes, as well, going for the better price being offered at the time from wherever. I never buy these products from the vet as they are always much more expensive there and I can’t afford that with my brood. Places to check for lower prices are 1-800-PetMeds.com, Amazon, HealthyPets.com, EntirelyPets.com and TotalPetSupply.com. There are probably others. If you have multiples to treat (like me with all my cats!) shop around – compare prices. You might find that your product of choice for the dogs is better priced one place and the same for cats is better priced at another. So, buy from each.
I simply advocate that you use quality brand flea preventions and that you use them all year round – the fleas don’t hibernate in the winter! Your pets will love you for it and your home will be lots more comfortable! Total win-win.