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Summer Lovin’: just a hunk of purring love

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Philandering tom cats are spiking flea infestations among pets this summer according to experts

Philandering tom cats are spiking flea infestations among pets this summer according to experts

A leading UK pet care expert is about to set the nation scratching, after noting record sales of its flea treatment products during what is widely acknowledged as peak cat mating season, advising owners to check their pets!

The UK flea tick and worm treatment expert, Bob Martin, is warning pet owners to keep untreated pets inside, to avoid spreading fleas around local neighbourhoods.

With cats reaching peak mating season throughout the summer months, combined with its high demand and recent humid weather in which the pesky bugs thrive, Bob Martin is forecasting a flea-demic.

And cats are most at risk – the number of felines joining UK households increased 205% year-on-year, outstripping dogs at 192% taken on by new owners who are unaware of the signs.

With a total of 3.2 million households in the UK acquiring a pet since the start of the pandemic, there are more curious cats than ever – all are eager to explore their local neighbourhoods to play, fight or mate.

Fleas can jump up to 13 inches, so when cats are even close to another cat, infestations can easily occur between adventurous felines. And those that get even closer increase this risk…

Research also shows a third of cats in the UK are not neutered and while sterilizing a pet may not eliminate all desires to sneak out, up to 90% of spayed or neutered cats display a reduction in their desire to go roaming, thus reducing the risk of spreading and contracting fleas and ticks from other untreated pets.

For cat owners who might not know the signs of a philandering feline, leading pet care brand, Bob Martin has helpfully shared top five signs to spot if your furry friend is a dirty flea-spreading stop-out:

BOB MARTIN’S TOP FIVE SIGNS YOUR PET IS A PHILANDERING FELINE

  1. Your cat returns with sores and/or scratches, showing signs of fighting
  2. Your stop-out cat brings small animals it catches into the house
  3. Hearing loud mating call throughout the night
  4. A strong and pungent urine smell (let off by tom cats when in season)
  5. Excessive grooming

Chris Socratous, Senior Brand Manager at Bob Martin, commented: “It’s really important that new pet owners aim to be responsible owners. Neutering or spaying pets can be one of the most responsible ways of reducing dangers to cats.

“By spaying a female cat, you’re increasing the length of her life span whilst  reducing the contraction of many diseases such as cancer, and avoiding any unwanted pregnancies. This is the same when neutering a male cat, which can reduce the likelihood of them developing prostate cancer.

“In terms of behavioural benefits, there are plenty. Cats are less likely to try to escape and roam the local town (as they’re less likely to want to find a mate), aggression issues can be reduced, and they’re less likely to have a pungent urine smell from marking their territory and asserting their dominance. Females won’t go into heat for five days every three weeks – meaning they’re also less likely to wee all over the house in breeding season!”

Whether owners choose to have their cat neutered or not, the most important factor to tackle the root cause and prevent an influx in infestations is a strict flea, tick and worming programme.

Chris added: “Not all pet owners want to have their cats spayed or neutered, which is why it becomes even more important to have a strict flea, tick and worming regime to protect pets from nasty parasites when wandering outdoors.

“Bob Martin’s range of Clear Plus products for cats can treat current infestations and prevent future infestations from occurring. For added protection, there’s also a range of preventative collars from Bob Martin which act as repellents against critters. This tackles the root of the problem, and can allow cats to roam wild and flea-free.”

For more information on Bob Martin as well as tips and advice on managing fleas, ticks and worms, please visit www.bobmartin.co.uk

Philandering tom cats are spiking flea infestations among pets this summer according to experts

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