BETH THOMPSON, VMD Many owners are lulled into a false sense of
security because they don’t see visible signs of fleas on their
pets. They may think that they can afford to forego preventive
treatment. However, fleas are good at hiding in your pet’s
haircoat and in the environment. Their bodies, sleek and thin,
are extremely well adapted for scurrying and disappearing in
dense fur, especially near the ears, tail, head, and groin.
Unless you are expressly looking for them, you may never
actually see them. When infestations are mild or emerging, many
owners may think that their pet’s itching or scratching is part
of its normal grooming behavior. Cats, in particular, being the
fastidious groomers that they are, are very good at grooming
fleas off of themselves. That, however, doesn’t stop new fleas
from jumping on them. Fleas are well adapted to survive a broad
range of environmental conditions and are very capable of
surviving indoors year-round, even during winter. Keep in mind
that the adult fleas you may or