Fleas can thrive in wintery conditions as they love they environment created in a centrally heated house. The warm, dry conditions can encourage flea eggs to hatch out and thus some people experience more problems with fleas in winter. It is definitely worth keeping up with your normal routine. One thing to remember is that if your dog (or less likely cat!) is submerged in water for around 48hours after a ‘spot on’ flea or tick treatment it may not work, so try to avoid letting them roll about in snow or wade through too many puddles. Of-course, this can equally be a problem in summer when dogs like to swim!

As to where to purchase products, some effective treatments are now available from pet shops and pharmacy’s but be careful about your selection. Products are species specific and mistakes in what to use on which animals can be disastrous. For example many products sold for use on dogs can be deadly poisonous to cats. If you are in any doubt, please seek help from a qualified professional. Also bear in mind that products now come in a variety of applications and that combination products are now available It is possible to treat for fleas, lice, mites and many kinds of worm in one simple product. It is worth taking the lifestyle and therefore the risks to your pet into account, and also the easiest method of application for you. Veterinary staff will always be happy to advise on the most suitable product for you and your pet.

Answered by Miss Gemma Clark BVSc, PG(Dip), MRCVS.