Your dog suddenly starts scratching more than usual, your cat keeps licking her fur, or you notice tiny black specks in their coat. Chances are fleas are to blame! These tiny parasites can cause quite a bit of discomfort, both for your pet and for you.

And the annoying part? Fleas don't just stay on your dog or cat. They lay eggs that end up around your home, such as in your dog's bed, between the sofa cushions or in the carpet. This can make a flea infestation harder to get rid of than you might think.

Luckily, there's plenty you can do. With the right approach, effective treatment and a little extra attention to your home, you can make life much harder for these unwanted guests.

Fleas are tiny, dark brown insects that move quickly through your pet's fur. They can easily jump from one animal to another, but they're not always easy to spot.

Here are some common signs of fleas:

✅ Your dog or cat scratches, bites or licks themselves more than usual.

✅ You notice red spots, scabs or irritated skin.

✅ Bald patches appear due to excessive scratching

✅ You find tiny black specks in their fur.

✅ You spot small insects moving through their coat.

Some pets show hardly any symptoms, while others experience intense itching after just one flea bite. This may be a sign of a flea allergy.

Not sure whether those tiny black specks in your pet's fur are dirt or flea droppings? A simple test can help you find out.

Comb through your pet's coat with a fine-toothed flea comb, paying extra attention to the base of the tail, belly and neck. Let the specks fall onto a piece of white kitchen paper and dampen them slightly. Do they turn reddish-brown? They're probably flea droppings, which contain digested blood.

Tip: Make it a habit to check your pet's coat regularly. This way, you can spot fleas early, even if your pet isn't showing much itching yet.

Found fleas on your pet? It's important to act quickly. Unfortunately, removing only the visible fleas isn't enough. Flea eggs, larvae and pupae left in the surrounding environment can cause another infestation later on.

1. Treat your dog or cat with a suitable flea treatment

Ask your vet or pharmacist for a registered flea treatment that's suitable for your pet. There are several options available, including spot-on treatments, tablets and flea collars. The most suitable treatment depends on factors such as your pet's species, age, weight and overall health.

Do you have multiple dogs or cats? In most cases, all pets in your household should be treated at the same time, using a product that's suitable for each animal.

 
2. Treat your home too

Most of the flea population isn't found on your pet as adult fleas, but in the surrounding environment as eggs, larvae or pupae.

That's why it's important to vacuum thoroughly, especially around your pet's favourite sleeping spots, underneath furniture and along skirting boards. Wash blankets, pet bed covers and other washable fabrics at the highest temperature permitted by their care labels. In severe cases, a suitable household flea treatment may also be necessary.

 
3. Check your pet's coat regularly

A flea comb is a useful tool for spotting and removing live fleas and flea droppings. It also helps you monitor whether the infestation is improving.

A flea comb alone won't eliminate an entire flea infestation, but it's a valuable addition to your flea control routine.

4. Keep monitoring the situation

Even after treatment, new fleas may still emerge from pupae already present in your home. This doesn't necessarily mean the treatment isn't working.

Follow the recommended treatment schedule and continue paying attention to your pet's environment. If symptoms persist, consult your vet for advice.

Young animals are particularly vulnerable to fleas. In severe infestations, kittens and puppies can lose so much blood that they develop anaemia.

Not all flea treatments are suitable for young animals. Some products can only be used once a puppy or kitten reaches a certain age or minimum weight. These requirements vary depending on the treatment.

Does your kitten or puppy have fleas? Contact your vet to find out which treatment is safe. Especially with very young animals, it's important not to experiment with sprays, spot-on treatments or other flea products.

While waiting for advice, you can gently check their coat with a fine-toothed flea comb. Clean their sleeping areas and check any other pets in your household as well.

Is your kitten or puppy lethargic, showing signs of pale gums or heavily infested with fleas? Don't wait. Contact your vet immediately.

Important: Never use a flea treatment intended for dogs on cats without veterinary advice. Certain substances, such as permethrin, are toxic to cats and can cause severe poisoning.

You may have wondered why flea spot-on treatments and other flea products are available in pet shops in the Netherlands, while the situation is different in Belgium. This is due to differences in legislation governing veterinary medicines.

In Belgium, registered veterinary medicines for fleas are generally supplied through veterinarians or pharmacies. Some treatments require a prescription, while others do not. Pet shops are not permitted to sell these medicines without the appropriate authorisation.

In the Netherlands, the regulations are different. Certain flea treatments classified as 'VRIJ' (freely available) can also be sold in pet shops and through registered online retailers. However, this doesn't mean that all flea treatments are available without a prescription.

That's why at Cats & Dogs, you won't find conventional medicated flea treatments, but you will find useful grooming tools and additional care products. For advice on choosing a suitable flea treatment, we recommend consulting your vet or pharmacist.

 
Alongside registered flea treatments, there are also grooming products and supplements made with naturally derived ingredients. These include sprays based on plant oils.

However, it's important to distinguish between additional care products and proven flea treatments. Not every natural product has been shown to be effective against fleas. And just because something is natural doesn't automatically mean it's safe for every dog or cat.

Extra care is needed with cats and young animals. Always choose products that are suitable for your pet's species and age, and carefully follow the instructions for use.

Absolutely! Although fleas are often associated with the warm summer months, they can be a problem all year round.

They thrive particularly well indoors. Thanks to central heating, temperatures remain comfortable, allowing fleas to continue breeding throughout autumn and winter.

That's why flea prevention isn't just important in summer. How often your pet needs protection depends on their lifestyle and the risk of infestation. Ask your vet for advice on the most suitable approach.