Busy pet owners claim free flea treatment for dogs and cats as infestation number rises

As the weather warms up, many pet owners face an increased risk of fleas. This is due to animals spending more time outdoors and the temperatures being ideal for these parasites to flourish.

However, one online brand is offering owners the opportunity to prevent an infestation before it occurs with a complimentary treatment kit.

Experts at Itch warn that five fleas on an untreated pet can result in over a million eggs invading your home in as little as four weeks. This startling statistic is due to the rapid life cycle of fleas, with a single female flea laying up to 50 eggs per day, just 24 hours after mating.

In warm, humid environments, like many UK homes during the summer, these eggs hatch into larvae, evolve into pupae, and soon emerge as adult fleas, ready to start the cycle anew. In ideal conditions, this entire process takes just a few weeks - that's why a minor flea problem can rapidly escalate into a full-blown home infestation if not addressed.

What many pet owners fail to realise is that 95% of flea eggs, larvae and pupae reside not on your pet, but in your home. Fleas lay eggs on pets that fall onto carpets, sofas, bedding, and other soft furnishings, reports the Mirror. From there, they develop out of sight, biding their time until they can leap back onto your pet.

To keep fleas at bay, it's advised to administer regular flea treatment to your dog or cat every month. Itch provides a monthly subscription service to remind pet owners when it's time for the next application, with the first month being offered free of charge.

The company is offering new subscribers their first month free, with only the postage fee of £2.99 to be paid. If customers choose to continue with the subscription, each subsequent month will cost £9.50, but delivery will be complimentary. Itch also gives customers the flexibility to pause, shift or cancel their subscription whenever they wish.

Itch customises the ideal dosage for your cat or dog based on their breed and size to ensure a safe and effective treatment. Pet owners simply need to answer a few brief questions about their pets, and Itch will suggest the appropriate treatment.

The vet-endorsed treatment utilises the ingredient fipronil, which eradicates adult fleas, and (S)-methoprene, which prevents eggs and larvae from maturing. It's scientifically proven to exterminate and prevent fleas, but it's recommended to treat both your pet and your home, using a product like Itch Flea Home Spray to eliminate fleas and their offspring in the house. Regular vacuuming and washing pet bedding on a hot wash (60°C or above) are also crucial.

There are several other reputable flea treatment brands available that provide an alternative to Itch. Frontline is amongst the most recognised brands, and is available on Amazon, containing the same active ingredient as Itch.

Elsewhere, Advantage utilises imidacloprid, which is also effective against fleas and is suitable for both cats and dogs. The drawback with these is that it may require a bit of research to determine which pack and dosage is best suited to your pet, whereas Itch does all the hard work for you.

According to Itch, more than 100,000 pets are using their treatment each month to eliminate fleas and prevent them returning. The brand has a 4 star rating based on more than 10,000 reviews on TrustPilot, with many pleased with the service for banishing infestations.

One said: "I've been an Itch subscriber for more than 2 years and love it. Treatment works well for both my dog and my cat and it's great not to have to remember to buy it each month. Don't miss the days of forgetting to buy and finding ourselves infested."

"My dog Rudy became infested with fleas, for a second time in a year," another explained. "I Googled 'flea treatment' for small dogs. 'Itch' came well recommended, and I opened an account with them. 24 hours later, the flea treatment, together with a dog toothpaste and toothbrush, was in my letterbox."

Some customers have expressed frustration with the delivery service, with one writing: "Whilst I'm happy with the products, delivery leaves a lot to be desired. It's difficult to keep flea and worming treatment up to date when Royal Mail deliveries are so haphazard."

However, another customer praised it as 'the only thing that works for my dogs'. They added: "No more flea problems. I have a subscription, and although it's only on the third month, they have never arrived late. All the worry of making sure I buy them on time and working out which product is best is taken out of my hands."

Pet owners can claim their complimentary month of Itch Pet's flea treatment here.

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