Itch Blog

We asked in-house Itch vet, Dr. Zoe Costigan to give us the lowdown on why your cat or dog might still be scratching after applying your tailored dose of Itch Flea Treatment. Here's what she had to say:

 “It’s fairly normal for there to be a period of hyperactivity amongst the fleas as the product takes effect after you have applied your spot-on flea treatment, and this can cause an increase in your pet itching. It should settle down after 24 hours. If after 24 hours your pet continues to scratch, there could be other things going on. Your pet could be flea-allergic, it could have a skin infection or a hormone imbalance, or other conditions which can lead to itchiness.”

Pet worming tablets are an integral part of maintaining your furry companion's health and well-being. These tiny yet powerful medications play a crucial role in preventing and treating worm infestations in dogs and cats. But have you ever wondered how pet worming tablets work? Look no further as we delve into the world of deworming tablets, exploring their mechanisms, effectiveness, and the options available for both dogs and cats. We'll also address the perennial question of tablets vs. liquid dewormers and explore natural worming alternatives. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of how these treatments work to keep your pets healthy and thriving.

Worms are sadly a common concern for pet owners. These parasites can infest our furry companions, leading to discomfort and potential health issues. Here we'll unravel the world of worms in pets, addressing what they are, what causes them, whether all dogs and cats need worming, how to treat worm infestations, and most importantly, how to prevent them. By the end, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to keep your pets super healthy and worm-free.

These bloodsucking pests can transmit diseases and cause discomfort for our beloved furry companions. The good news is that with the right knowledge and proactive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of tick infestations. In this post, we'll explore the world of tick prevention for pets. From understanding ticks and their lifecycle to implementing preventive strategies for both dogs and cats, we'll equip you with the tools to keep your pets safe and tick-free all year-round.

When it comes to protecting our pets from ticks, there's no shortage of options on the market. Tick treatment products range from shampoos and tablets to sprays and collars. With the well-being of our furry friends at stake, it's crucial to understand the different types of tick treatments available and weigh their pros and cons. In this post, we'll dive into the world of tick control, exploring the benefits and drawbacks of tick shampoo, tablets, sprays, collars, and even the innovative Itch Flea treatment. By the end, you'll have a clearer understanding of which tick treatment might be the best fit for your pet's needs.

Understanding how long ticks stay on pets is so crucial for effective tick control and the overall well-being of our furry companions. Here, we delve into the world of tick lifecycles, explore the lifespan of ticks, discuss how long ticks can stay on pets, debunk common misconceptions about tick survival, and provide some insights into preventing tick infestations altogether. Let's uncover the secrets of tick duration on pets and equip ourselves with the knowledge to protect our beloved animals.

Dealing with ticks at home can be a cause for concern, especially when you're keen to keep your pets and family members safe. While ticks might be tiny, their potential health risks are significant. In the quest for tick control, many turn to home remedies, seeking natural solutions to eliminate these pests. This post explores what truly kills ticks at home, delves into common home remedies, and addresses the burning question: Do these remedies actually work? Additionally, we'll provide insights into tick treatments that have been proven effective. Let's unravel the world of tick control and find out if home remedies are up to the task!

Knowing how to safely and effectively remove ticks from pets is key for their well-being. These parasites can cause a huge host of bother for us humans and our furry companions so it’s super important to have the right knowledge to sort those buggers out! Here, our in-house vet Zoe will guide you through the best treatment for ticks; the process of removing ticks from your pets, including embedded ticks and tick heads stuck in the skin. We’ll also explore ongoing tick treatment and prevention strategies to ensure these troublesome critters don't come back. Let's dive into the wonderful world of tick removal and protection for your beloved pets.

Ticks, those small yet potentially dangerous parasites, have a knack for making a big impact on our pets' health and our peace of mind. Understanding what ticks are, where they come from, where they live, and the potential dangers they pose to our furry companions is crucial for effective prevention and management. This post explores their origins, habitats, and the risks they bring to pets. Let's uncover the secrets of these tiny arachnids and learn how to protect our pets from their harmful effects.

The closest thing you’ll find to a real life vampire are ticks, those pesky parasites that can attach themselves to your beloved pets and cause a host of health issues. These blood-sucking arachnids are not only uncomfortable for your furry friends but can also transmit diseases. Recognising the appearance of ticks on your pets is essential for their well-being. Here we look into what ticks are, how to spot them on your dogs and cats, share pictures so you can easily identify them, discuss effective tick treatment options, and explore preventive measures. Let's uncover the secrets of identifying ticks and keeping your pets tick-free.

Fleas can turn into a massive headache for us pet owners. Understanding the flea lifecycle is crucial to effectively fighting off infestations and keeping your pets and home flea-free. Here we’ll look into the four stages of the flea lifecycle; egg, larvae, pupae and adult — and explore how you can break this cycle to eliminate these bothersome critters. Let's uncover the secrets of the flea lifecycle and learn how to reclaim a comfortable environment for both you and your furry companions.

Fleas, those tiny, relentless creatures, can turn into a major annoyance for our beloved pets. Not only can they cause discomfort with their itchy bites, but they can also lead to more serious health issues if left unchecked. The key to keeping your furry friends flea-free is prevention. In this post we'll focus on why your dog or cat might keep getting fleas, what to do when your pet itches but you can't see fleas, and most importantly, effective strategies for preventing fleas in the first place. Let's get started by creating a comfortable and flea-free environment for your furry companions.

Dealing with a flea infestation can be a frustrating and exasperating experience, especially when you've tried everything but the fleas just won't seem to go away. It's a common scenario: you've diligently applied flea treatments, cleaned your home, and taken all necessary precautions, yet those persistent pests continue to bother your pets and invade your living space. If you find yourself in this situation, don't lose hope. Here we'll delve into the reasons behind failed flea treatments, how to identify signs of treatment resistance, and explore effective solutions to finally bid those relentless fleas farewell.

Fleas – those pesky little insects that can turn our furry companions' lives (and ours) upside down. If you've ever experienced a flea infestation, you know just how frustrating and uncomfortable it can be. These tiny creatures are not only a nuisance but can also pose health risks to both pets and humans. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the world of fleas, from understanding their origins to effective methods for getting rid of them. So, if you're tired of the itching, scratching, and constant battle against the blighters, read on to discover how to reclaim your home and your pet's comfort.

Fleas, those pesky little creatures that can cause so much trouble for our beloved pets, are often hard to spot with the naked eye due to their tiny size. However, understanding what fleas look like is essential for effective prevention and treatment. Here, we explore the appearance of fleas, including pictures of fleas, their size, and the distinct features that differentiate dog fleas from cat fleas. We will also take a closer look at flea eggs and highlight other bugs that may resemble fleas, helping you to identify and deal with these nuisances.

We’re Itch.

Just like us humans, many cats enjoy spells of warmer weather! However, they can also overheat and risk developing complications such as heat stroke. Cats more at risk of illness as a result of the mercury rising include very old or young cats, cats with a dense, fluffy coat and those with pre-existing medical conditions. 

Felines with flat faces (you might hear these being referred to as brachycephalic breeds) like Persian cats and Scottish folds also have a harder time regulating their temperatures because of their shorter nasal passages.

 Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do as a cat parent to keep your puss comfortable and extra chill in warm weather!

Keeping an eye on your dog’s magic number (the ideal weight for their breed and age) is super important.

If you know your dog’s weight, it's easier to work out things like how much food they should eat, or the amount of flea or worm treatment to give them. Getting the right treatment is the safest and most effective way to prevent your dog getting fleas or worms.

According to our research, two thirds (65%) of British pet owners will share the bed with their cat or dog tonight. It’s understandable. It can be hard to resist those puppy-dog eyes, or that loving purr when our pet's come to settle in for the night. 

 But did you know that by observing our pet's sleeping position, we can tell a lot about the special pet-owner bond we share with them?

We wanted to know more, so asked 2,000 Brits to reveal the 10 most common sleeping positions we adopt with our four-legged friends, and enlisted the help of leading animal behaviourist, Professor Peter Neville to give us insight into their meaning.

Not all cats are cool cats all the time. If your kitty is showing signs of stress or anxiety, there’s one method that’s been proven to help them feel safe, happy and relaxed, and that’s a plug-in pheromone diffuser.

At Itch, not only do we provide award winning flea, tick and worm solutions, and a range of other pet health and well-being products, we also offer Itch Insure giving our subscribers up to 17% off their pet insurance.

We believe you deserve to be rewarded with lower monthly insurance payments for taking great care of your pet.  The more you protect your cat or dog with Itch Treatments, the more you'll save on your pet’s insurance. Because healthy and happy pets take less trips to the vets!

Our Itch Insurance team have been thinking about other ways we can support pets to live their best lives and decided to consult with Itch Advisory Panellist and animal behaviour and welfare expert, Dr Lauren Finka, to create a unique and innovative calming audio experience for owners and pets to enjoy together. 

The pet ‘af-fur-mations’ audio track is voiced by Oli Juste, a leading dog trainer, behaviourist and Itch Advisory Panellist. It combines classical music, affirmations, and meditation and is designed to provide the ulti-mutt relaxation experience and a moment of calm for you and your pet to enjoy together.

As any cat owner will tell you, cats really don’t like to do what we ask of them at the best of times. This can be especially true where worming tablets are concerned! As much as your cat might hate taking their wormer (and as much as you might hate being the one who has to administer it) the reality is that they have to take it.

Without regular worming, cats are at risk from tapeworms, roundworms and other nasty worm parasites that can make both them and your family really poorly.

Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting and joyous occasion. As a responsible pet owner, you want to ensure that your furry bundle of joy grows up healthy and happy. One aspect of puppy care that can't be overlooked is worming. But does every puppy need worming? Below we'll explore the world of puppy worming, addressing whether puppies need more or less worming than adult dogs, when and how often you should worm a puppy, and even provide a helpful puppy worming calendar to keep your newest family member thriving.

Intestinal worms are no picnic. They can cause a whole host of health problems in your pets including diarrhoea, tummy pain, weight loss and anaemia. In extreme cases, they can even be fatal. As if that’s not bad enough, they can also do some serious damage to people too! But how often should you worm your pet? The answer depends on various factors, including the type of pet, their age, lifestyle, and risk of exposure. This post explores how often you should worm both cats and dogs. We'll also discuss whether puppies and kittens require more frequent worming and provide some ideal worming schedules to keep your pets healthy and thriving.

Worming is a crucial aspect of pet care which ensures that our furry companions stay healthy and free from the discomfort of worm infestations. As responsible pet owners, it's important to know when our pets need worming and to understand the signs that may indicate the presence of worms. In this post, we'll explore the subtle signs of worm infestations, discuss specific considerations for both cats and dogs, and address the question of whether worming should be done regularly. By the end, you'll have a better understanding of when to take action to keep your pets worm-free and thriving.

These parasitic creatures can transmit diseases and cause discomfort for our beloved furry companions. But did you know that ticks come in various types and colours? In this post, we'll dive into the world of ticks, exploring the different types you need to be aware of. From white and black ticks to brown ticks, we'll also discuss ticks on humans, the risks of embedded ticks, and effective tick removal and treatment methods. By the end, you'll have a clearer understanding of the tick landscape and how to keep yourself, your pets, and your loved ones safe.

Ticks are those tiny arachnids that sink their strong jaws into our beloved pets’ skin, and whilst they may be small, their impact can be huge and lead to a range of health issues. Recognising the symptoms of ticks on your pets is crucial for their well-being. This post explores the symptoms of ticks on both dogs and cats, discusses how to spot these symptoms, delves into potential tick-borne diseases, and provides guidance on what to do if you spot ticks on your furry companions. Let's uncover the secrets of identifying tick-related symptoms and keeping your pets fighting fit!

As pet owners, we all know that fleas can be a pesky and persistent problem. These tiny parasites can infest our furry friends, causing discomfort and potential health issues if left unchecked. Fleas are most active during certain periods of the year, which we commonly refer to as the "peak flea season." Here, we dive into the crucial information you need to know about when fleas are most active, when they come out, and whether they prefer hot or cold weather conditions. Armed with this knowledge, you'll be better equipped to protect your beloved pets and your home from these bothersome critters.