06/26/2025
🐾🦠 Fleas vs. Sand Fleas: What's the Difference? 🦠🐾
As pet parents in a coastal community, it’s important to understand the difference between fleas and sand fleas, especially as summer brings more time outdoors! Here’s a quick breakdown to keep your pets protected:
🐕 Fleas:
Fleas are tiny, blood-sucking parasites that are commonly found in your home, on your pet, or in grassy, shaded outdoor areas. They thrive in warm, humid environments, and they’re great at hitching rides on your pet’s fur. Fleas can cause itching, tapeworms, hair loss, and in some cases, more serious health issues like flea anemia. Flea prevention (like topical treatments, collars, and oral medications) is key in keeping your pet comfortable and healthy year-round!
🌴 Sand Fleas:
Sand fleas, also known as beach fleas or sand hoppers, are small crustaceans typically found in sandy coastal areas. Unlike fleas, they don’t live on pets but can still bite, causing itching and irritation. Sand fleas are most active at dawn or dusk and tend to jump at your legs or pets' paws when they’re close to the ground. While they don't carry diseases like fleas, their bites can be bothersome, especially when you’re at the beach!
Key Differences:
Fleas: Live on pets, cause itching, and require flea control products to prevent.
Sand Fleas: Found on beaches, bite skin but don’t live on pets, and are more of an annoyance than a long-term problem.
If your pet is suffering from flea or sand flea bites, or if you're unsure what’s causing the issue, don’t hesitate to give us a call! We can help you with prevention and treatment to keep your pet comfortable, whether they’re enjoying the beach or relaxing at home.
Stay flea-free and bite-free this summer! 🐾🌞
