Flea-quently Asked Questions

For: Fleas

  • A:

    Flea bites can cause pets to feel itchy so they will start to scratch and this can make their skin sore. Some animals develop an allergy to flea saliva called Flea Allergic Dermatitis and this can make them really uncomfortable and cause other health problems. In small dogs, puppies, kittens and older or sick animals a severe infestation can cause anaemia which can occasionally be fatal. Fleas also spread tapeworms, another parasite which can infect your pet skin.

  • A:

    Once applied, our Flea Combo treatment is stored in the sebaceous glands in your pet’s skin and spreads over the whole body surface with their natural oils. The treatment does not enter your pets bloodstream. Fleas and ticks are killed through contact with your pet’s skin and coat so they do not need to bite to be killed.

  • A:

    Yes. Our Flea Combo treatment uses tried and tested active ingredients (Fipronil and S-Methoprene) that have been used by vets for over 15 years to reliably kill fleas, ticks, larvae and eggs. The active ingredients we use are the same as those found in most other market leading (and more expensive) treatments that are available.

  • A:

    As with all licensed veterinary medicines, our Flea Combo treatment has undergone extensive safety tests. When used as directed, pets treated with our Flea Combo treatment do not pose a health risk to children or adults. It is a recommended precaution that children or adults do not cuddle, handle or sleep with treated animals until the application site is dry.

  • A:

    Our Flea Combo treatment kills fleas by affecting their nervous system, making them hyperactive before dying. These dying fleas often rise to the top of the pet’s coat and bounce, so if you feel like you may be seeing more fleas after treatment, it could actually be a sign that the product is working! If you have any concerns, you should contact your vet.

  • A:

    Most tick treatments such as our Flea Combo treatment are not tick repellents therefore individual ticks may still attach to your pet. After treatment with our Flea Combo treatment ticks will be killed within 48 hours after exposure, before they are fully fed, thus helping to reduce the risk of disease transmission. If you have any concerns, please contact your vet.

  • A:

    No product can repel fleas from jumping onto your pet so it is normal to continue to see fleas after treatment as your pet can pick up new fleas from the environment at any time. Moreover, if you are fighting a home infestation, it is highly likely that you will see fleas on your pet for 3 months or more as it can take this long to get rid of the infestation.

  • A:

    Even if you have treated your pet for fleas, some fleas may still have time to lay eggs before dying. These eggs can develop into new fleas in as little as 14 days, therefore it is important to tackle flea eggs too. Most flea products only kill fleas on your pet. Our Flea Combo treatment not only kills fleas, ticks and lice on your pet, but also prevents flea eggs from hatching and infesting the home.

  • A:

    Yes, absolutely. Although the likelihood of your pets being affected by fleas decreases in the winter months, the shift in climate change has resulted in us experiencing milder winters in the UK, favouring the survival of fleas outdoors for much longer. Fleas also continue to develop indoors in homes thanks to central heating. Therefore, it’s important to keep protecting your pet throughout the year.

  • A:

    Yes, our Flea Combo treatment can be used on any breed of cat and dog, including collies and other herding-breed dogs which can sometimes show a sensitivity to some parasite treatments.

  • A:

    Flea infestations are unpleasant for you and your pets, and can take 3 months or more to resolve, so be patient.

    Firstly, you need to make sure that all pets in the household have been treated every month with a suitable flea product that kills fleas, larvae and eggs. It is important to allow your treated dog or cat free access around the home otherwise any newly emerging fleas are likely to bite you instead! Good hygiene is also important, therefore thoroughly wash your pet’s bedding at at least 60C. You will also need to vacuum carpets and furniture on a regular basis, particularly dark areas where flea larvae love to migrate. Using a suitable household flea spray can also help speed up the process but unfortunately there is no immediate fix and it will take some time for all the flea life stages in the environment to die out.

  • A:

    Once our Flea Combo treatment has been applied it is recommended to keep your pet out of the rain and away from watercourses for the next 48 hours. If they do come into contact with rain within this period, it is unlikely that your pet would have been wet enough for the product to be washed away. However, if your pet gets soaked to the skin then the efficacy of the treatment may be impaired and reapplication may be warranted. If this is the case, please contact your vet for advice.

  • A:

    You can cuddle, stroke and handle your pet as usual as soon as the application site is dry. In the meantime, treated animals should not be handled, and children should not be allowed to play or sleep with them.

  • A:

    Yes. Even indoor-only pets can become exposed to fleas if an untreated pet visits your home or if you or a friend or family member brings in flea eggs or cocoons on shoes or clothing.

  • A:

    No. At flerm we only sell flea and worming treatments to be used on cats and dogs. For any other type of pet please consult your vet.

For: Worms

  • A:

    There are 4 common ways your dog can pick up intestinal worms:

    1. By swallowing infected fleas while grooming
    2. By ingesting worm eggs from a contaminated environment (toys, grass, soil, etc.)
    3. By eating or scavenging carcasses of other infected animals (mice, rabbits, birds, etc.)
    4. From the mother to her puppies, either across the placenta before they are born, or via her milk when nursing

  • A:

    You shouldn’t wait until you start seeing signs of worms as infections have to be quite severe before signs let you know there is a problem. Signs of worms can include weight loss, bloated tummy, diarrhoea, vomiting and scooting bottom along the ground but these are not specific to worm infections. Worm eggs are microscopic, but you might see worms (looking like spaghetti) or worm segments (looking like grains of rice) in your dog’s stool or around their bottom.

  • A:

    It’s important that you don’t wait to see signs of worms or ill health before you worm your dog, and regular worming is part of responsible dog ownership to protect your pet, yourself and others. But how often you should worm will depend on a number of different factors. Experts recommend treating dogs for intestinal worms at least four times a year. However, more frequent treatment may be required in certain cases, for example if you have children, if there are pregnant women, elderly or immunosuppressed individuals in the home or if your dog has had fleas. Always follow the advice of your pet healthcare professional who can recommend the adequate frequency for your dog’s circumstances.

Other important information

  • A:

    It’s really easy to set up an account. Just visit our website at www.flerm.co.uk and click on the Get Started button on the homepage. Follow the step by step instructions and boom! You’re up and running.

  • A:

    We offer a safe product, at the exact time your pet needs it, and for an affordable price. Delivered free, straight through the letterbox, so you don’t even have to be home to receive it.

    What’s more, if your cat or dog has an accident or gets ill you can contact one of our Vets or Vet Nurses 24/7 for immediate advice on what you should do. We’re here to help you and your pet whenever you need us!

    We’ll even include an Annual Health Plan check-up as part of your package (via video call). One of our vets will give you advice on weight, health, diet and preventative care, helping you keep your pet in the best shape possible.

  • A:

    No. All of our treatments are specially licensed so that no prescription is needed.

  • A:

    Most vets will sell you a health package ranging in price from £13 to £20 per month, depending on the size of your pet. Unfortunately, they don’t usually send you reminders about when the flea and worm treatment is due, so it will be your responsibility to remember, order the treatments, and then travel to your vets to collect them each month.

    With Flerm, we do all the remembering for you- we’ll send you each treatment at the exact time your pet needs it. Delivery is free, and our mailing boxes fit through most standard letterboxes. No need to be home to receive the parcel.

    Simply open the box and administer the treatment.

  • A:

    Your order will be despatched within 48 hours of us receiving your payment each month. You should receive your order 2-3 days later. We use Royal Mail to deliver all our parcels.

  • A:

    Our flea treatments cost from £5.99 to £8.99 per month depending on the type and size of your pet.

    Our worming treatment comes as an add-on item to your flea subscription and costs between £1 and £3 per month, depending on the type and size of your pet (delivered every 3 months).

    Our healthy and natural treats are priced at £2.29 for cats and £2.99 for dogs. To prevent your pet getting bored of eating the same treat we provide a different flavour each month.

  • A:

    Delivery is free. Always.

  • A:

    Each pack contains one of our Flea Combo pipettes to treat your pet for fleas, ticks and lice. It will also include any add-ons that you have ordered such as worming treatment, compostable poo bags, treats or compostable litter tray liners.

    If you are ordering for multiple pets we may include all of the items in one mailing box- however each Flea Combo pipette and any worming treatments ordered would be packaged in a fully recyclable brown paper bag and labelled with each pets name.

  • A:

    If today’s date is more than 7 days after your delivery was due then please get in touch with us via our website livechat facility or email us at [email protected].

  • A:

    Please contact us via the livechat facility on our website or email us at [email protected] and we will amend your details for you.

  • A:

    Yes. You can cancel your subscription at any time by logging into your account on the website, contacting us on our livechat facility on the website, or by emailing us at [email protected].

  • A:

    Speak to us via livechat or drop us an email at [email protected]. We’ll update the details for you and advise if any changes need to be made to your subscription.

  • A:

    We’re so sorry for your loss. Losing a pet is such a sad time for everyone. Speak to us via livechat or drop us an email at [email protected] and we’ll get your subscription cancelled asap.

  • A:

    Yes, absolutely. Buying the best of everything for just one furry friend can be expensive enough. We like to make life as easy as possible for families with multiple pets. For 2 pets in the same house it’s a 10% discount off their flea and worm treatments. 3 pets get 15% and 4 pets get a whopping 20% discount. Please note, the discounts do not apply to our tasty treats or compostable bags.

  • A:

    No. We currently only deliver our treatments to UK addresses.