Fleas: Top Tips for Protecting Your Cats and Dogs

Fleas are more than just a nuisance, they’re tiny, persistent pests that can cause discomfort, skin issues, and even transmit diseases to your furry friends. Here is our Nelly’s guide packed with practical tips to help you get rid of fleas on your cats and dogs, and keep them away.

photo by Rachel Claire

Spotting flea signs early

Fleas are small, dark brown insects that feed on the blood of animals. Early signs your pet may be infested include:

Excessive scratching or biting at the skin

Red bumps or scabs

Hair loss in patches

Black "flea dirt" (flea feaces) on the skin or bedding

A flea comb is a useful tool to detect them, especially around the neck, tail, and tummy.

Effective flea treatment

We recommend topical treatments: These are applied to the skin and kill fleas on contact. At Nelly’s we stock a range of topical treatments for small to large dogs as well as cats.

Flea shampoo: Great for immediate relief, a fast-acting flea control and prevents reinfection.

Household sprays: these are great for spraying bedding, carpets and soft furnishings, it kills fleas and prevents hatching eggs developing into fleas.

Break the cycle with cleaning

Fleas don’t just live on your pet they infest your home.
To effectively eliminate them:

Vacuum daily, especially carpets, rugs, pet bedding, and furniture.

Wash all bedding, blankets, and washable surfaces in hot water weekly.

Use household flea sprays designed for home use.

Flea prevention is key

Even after fleas are gone, prevention must continue. Fleas can survive year-round indoors.

Keep pets on a regular flea prevention schedule, with shampoos and our recommended plant-based protection, which contains natural plant extracts including margosa and eucalyptus citriodora oil to repel fleas from dogs or cats. It is advised to repeat the treatment after 4 weeks.

Maintain clean surroundings, vacuuming regularly.

Check your pets after outdoor activities.