SAN DIEGO — As a pet owner in San Diego, it's important to have medication on hand to treat your pets for fleas, especially because San Diego has more fleas than any other city in the country.
Zarah Hedge, chief medical officer at the San Diego Humane Society, said the weather is a large part of the problem.
"We have a perfect climate here where it is warm year round, and we have a lot of animals because we love our animals here in San Diego, so it's just a perfect environment for them to live in," said Hedge.
Living in a warmer climate means it's especially important for owners to have their pets on preventative treatments.
"There's a variety of products out there, we have some that are given topically, on the skin, some that are pills or tablets that they eat, a veterinary approved collar as well," said Hedge.
Hedge said to talk to your veterinary to make sure your animal is taking the right flea medication.
"There are products that are safe for dogs but toxic when given to cats, so that's why it's really important that you find the right product and talk to your vet about what works best for you," said Hedge.
To make sure your pet is flea free, brush them often and keep an eye out for little black spots.
"You can see them with the eye, sometimes you might not see an actual flea but what we call flea dander, which is little black debris," said Hedge.
Even if your pet is on treatment, fleas can still be on them.
"So I wouldn't panic, especially if they are already on a product, but if they're not, it's really important that you get them on something," said Hedge.
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