Cat fleas and dog fleas are some of the biggest threats to your pet's health. When fleas bite they can cause skin irritation, infection, and disease. Other animals carry fleas, but the dog and cat flea species are the most common.

The flea life stages include:

• Flea eggs

• Flea pupae

• Flea larvae

• Adult fleas

Your best protection against fleas and overall disease control is by avoiding them altogether. Get rid of fleas right away with vet-quality flea and tick protection.

Most dogs and cats catch fleas from other animals. Think dog bars and parks, boarding kennels, and wild animals in backyards or parks. Fleas can jump several inches in the air and easily make their way from one pet to the next.

Once an adult female flea feeds on your pet it will lay eggs. Dozens of immature fleas fall on your pet and your pet's bedding. Then, eggs hatch and start the life cycle over again.

You may first notice excessive itching before you even detect fleas. These external parasites are very small and hard to see with the naked eye. When a flea bites your dog scratches which can lead to skin irritation, hair loss, and infection.

Some other signs of a flea infestation include:

• Adult fleas, flea eggs, and flea larvae

• Flea dirt (flea feces)

• Redness and inflammation

• Excessive itching

• Hair loss

• Anemia (from fleas consuming blood)

• Lethargy

There are a lot of different flea treatments available for cats and dogs. Some examples are flea collars, topical flea treatments, and oral flea medication.

If you're looking for a product that will get rid of and prevent fleas, a topical treatment is the best choice. Look for products that contain these active ingredients:

• Fipronil

• Imidacloprid

• Methoprene

• Nitenpyram

• Permethrin (not safe for cats)

• Pyriproxyfen

Flea season lasts all year in many states. Plus, immature fleas can survive year-round in your home. To avoid reinfestation it's best to protect your pet with a flea and tick medication throughout the year.

Here are three important steps to take to get rid of fleas in your home fast:

• Treat your pet with Nitenpyram or a topical treatment

• Vacuum everywhere (floors, furniture, your pet's belongings)

• Apply a household flea and tick spray around your home

After you've completed these steps, examine your pet for flea bites and adult fleas using a flea comb. If you are still seeing fleas, consult your vet for advice.

Every flea issue is unique. It depends on the size of the flea population and what steps you've already taken to eradicate fleas. Oftentimes, flea and tick treatment alone isn't enough to put an end to a flea infestation.

Some products are safe to use once a week for one month to frontload your protection. But, most brands recommend monthly use for best results. Consult with your vet before treating your pet with a new product.

The quickest way to get rid of fleas on your pet is with a medication that contains the active ingredient, Nitenpyram. Nitenpyram is an insecticide that you give your pet orally. It begins working within 30 minutes to kill fleas.

This product kills adult fleas and stops reproduction in its tracks but you should also use a preventative product. Topical flea treatment is effective at killing fleas at all life stages including flea eggs and flea larvae.

If your pet has fleas, wait to bathe them and apply a topical flea product right away. Then make sure your pet avoids water (bathing or swimming) for 48 hours. If you've already bathed your pet, wait 48 hours to apply their treatment.

Keep your dogs and puppies dry for at least 48 hours before and after applying treatment. Topical products use your dog’s natural oils to spread the solution.

Dawn dish soap or flea shampoo can be used to kill adult fleas. But, it shouldn't be used as a long-term solution. This is because it will only kill adult fleas on your pet. Dawn won't repel fleas living in and around your home from reinhabiting your pet's fur.

Yes, it's normal for them to rise to the top of your pet's fur as fleas die. So, consider it a win if you start seeing more fleas after you apply the treatment.

If you’re still seeing fleas, it may be because your pet has picked up new fleas from their environment. This can include other animals, surfaces, and outdoor areas.

There are a few items to keep on hand to help kill fleas on your pet and in your home. Here's a list to consider buying:

• A topical flea treatment or flea collar

• Household flea spray with an IGR to kill fleas

• A flea comb or fine-toothed comb

• Flea shampoo or dish soap

• A spray bottle of hot water to check for flea dirt

• A vacuum cleaner

• Baking soda mixture to clean surfaces

A flea infestation doesn't just affect your pet. Besides treating your pets for cat and dog fleas, you must also treat your home. This will ensure you pick up any remaining eggs that might've dropped from your pet.

• Vacuum carpet and furniture for flea dirt and eggs

• Wash blankets, bedding, and other belongings in hot water to kill fleas

• Apply a pet-friendly household spray throughout your entire house

Besides using a topical treatment, you should also use a flea and tick spray in and around your home. This is because the female flea will lay eggs that can drop throughout your home.

A flea spray with an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) can be used on your house. IGRs help break up flea habitats to prevent further breeding and infestations. Spray these key areas:

• Throw rugs and carpets

• Hardwood floors

• Baseboards and trim

• Couches, chairs, and ottomans

• Pet's bedding, blankets, and toys

Wait for the spray to dry completely after a few hours before reentering the area with your pets. You can also allow it to sit overnight.

Absolutely. Some popular natural remedies include diatomaceous earth, lemon spray, and baking soda. However, these solutions can cause a few problems for your pets.

They aren't regulated solutions for flea control so they aren't always 100% effective at killing adults or preventing future flea infestations. Some solutions (like essential oils) are toxic for dogs and cats. Talk to your vet about the best solution for your pet.

Yes, fleas can live between the cracks in your hardwood floors, baseboards, and corners of upholstered furniture. But, they are pretty easy to avoid if you wash bedding with soapy, hot water regularly.

Entirely ridding your pet and home of fleas requires time and work. Treating your pets is half the battle: fleas lay eggs that can fall into your carpet, furniture, bedding, floorboards, and more.

An excellent place to start is to read some of our resources which have helped thousands of customers. These include the best steps to get rid of a flea problem, some common myths about fighting fleas, and some tips to increase the effectiveness of our flea & tick protection.

It can be overwhelming, and we are here to help. Since every pet and circumstance is different, email us at help@petfriendlybox.com so we can help you with your situation.

Yes! It’s much easier to maintain flea freedom than it is to clean up an active issue. Unprotected pets can end up being more costly in the long run — once fleas are present, there will be a series of steps necessary to rid your pet and your home.

• Quarterly: Safeguard your home with a household spray

• Monthly: Protect your pets with a topical flea & tick treatment

• Weekly: Vacuum carpets and wash bedding and blankets in hot, soapy water