Most dogs will pick up fleas at some point in their lives. In fact, fleas are one of the most common parasites your dog will encounter while on their walks.

You shouldn’t ignore fleas just because they are common. Female fleas can lay up to 40 eggs per day which can quickly lead to an infestation, both on your dog and in your home. Fleas aren’t fussy who they bite either. They’ll feed on the blood of any red-blooded mammal, including humans.

Bites from these parasites can cause much more than an itch for your dog. They can lead to more serious health problems like dermatitis, anemia (if a flea infestation is severe) and even a tapeworm infection, should your dog swallow an infected flea while grooming.

The best way to help keep your dog and your home flea-free is to use a regular preventative flea treatment.