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Fleas and ticks are a common concern for pet owners and vets alike. If your pet becomes infested with fleas, unfortunately, it can be very hard to rid your home of the annoying little insects, as they have a habit to multiply, and are known for their resilience. This is why, if you suspect your pet might have fleas, we recommend that you reach out to the best vet near you at BuenaVet to begin treatment promptly. Remember, the sooner you address the situation, the easier it will be to control it.

But with that being said, it’s also important to educate yourself on fleas, their behavior, symptoms of fleas in your pet, and how pets get fleas in the first place. 

What Are the Signs of a Flea Infestation?

You may notice your pet scratching or itching excessively. Pay attention to its scratching patterns. If your pet keeps scratching a particular spot on their body, then it’s quite likely they’ve been bitten by fleas in that area.

It’s time to examine your pet’s skin for flea bites and scabs (caused by excessive scratching). 

A particularly unfortunate symptom of a flea infestation is loss of hair, across the back, towards the rear end, and the lower region, in general. 

If bitten by a flea, your pet might also start exhibiting small red bumps, and other skin irritations. 

Do Wild Animals Give Your Pet Fleas?

A common question for pet owners – how did my pet get fleas? It’s common to assume your pet got infested by another animal, and that is, sometimes, the case. This is why it’s important to act swiftly if you’re experiencing a wildlife infestation in your home and to keep your pet away from the animal in question.

Better yet, take preventive measures – educate yourself on keeping raccoons away, and how to stop wild animals from entering your home. 

What Wild Animals Might Give Your Pet Fleas?

As we said, raccoons and opossums are among the main flea carriers in the United States, thanks to their adaptability. Active during the night, these wild animals will scavenge around your trash cans and pet bowls, if let outside overnight, while also bringing fleas, ticks, and other unfortunate critters into your yard.

Deer are also believed to spread fleas, though there is limited evidence for that. If you do live in a deer-heavy area, your pet may be more at risk of contracting deer ticks, which are a crawling type of tick that likes to feed on adult deer.

Feral cats – last but not least, feral cats might be the culprit. As they roam the area around your home, they might bring fleas and ticks close enough to jump onto your pet. 

So to answer the title question once again, yes, it’s quite possible for wild animals to bring fleas or ticks into your yard, and pass them off to your beloved pet. If you suspect a flea infestation, visit your doctor immediately.

Other Ways to Get Fleas

However, even if your pet doesn’t come into contact with flea-infested pests, it may still contract the nasty critters from other common flea hotspots. Animal facilities, for instance, are at a heightened risk of harboring fleas, due to the increased traffic of animals through the areas.

Something you don’t want to hear, your pet might also get fleas from inside your own home, where fleas might’ve come in by hitching a ride on your clothes, backpack, or even on nuisance wildlife like rodents. Also, you should consider checking out your attic regularly if you hear unusual animal noises.

It’s important to address a flea infestation in the home quickly since fleas multiply rapidly. 

photo credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/Do6C28tjoqc

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