A COMMON misconception among animal owners is that flea control is a spring and summer issue, and many don't realise the importance of using flea prevention products during the colder, winter months.

Our warm, cosy, centrally heated homes create the ideal all year round breeding ground for fleas.

Although adult fleas cause all the clinical problems, such as Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD), they represent only five per cent of the total flea population.

The other 95pc consists of immature stages of the flea life cycle, which infest the pet's environment including bedding, carpets and furniture.

There could be many a bug or beastie nesting in your nice warm home over the cold winter months, so take my advice, for a happy and healthy lifestyle for you and your pet make flea control a year round task.

Please ask your local veterinary practice to recommend the correct products to treat your pet and your home. Q: I've just been given a one-year-old guinea pig, and would like to know if it's all right to let him out of his cage and run around in the house for a while? If so how often should I let him out to run?

A: You can let your guinea pig out once a day to run around, however he should be supervised to make sure he doesn't get into trouble, such as chewing on electric cords and any harmful or expensive household items. I would also recommend getting a secure outdoor run so that he can also stretch his legs in the garden on nice sunny days.

Q: My dog is a golden retriever, he's very smart and goes to obedience classes. He follows most of the commands but I cannot teach him that he mustn't jump up at people. Every time someone different comes into the house he gets over excited and jumps all over them. We always tell him to get down and he eventually does, but why won't he just be calm? By the way he's one year old.

A: Jumping up can be controlled and stopped quite easily, with a little patience. You need to teach him a reward-based command, which you can then use when he meets new people.

For example, give him a treat when he sits each time a visitor comes in. I would also suggest that you seek the advice of your obedience class trainer or perhaps your vet. Don't give up, he's still quite young and sounds as if he's very trainable.

Q: I have two dogs and one has ear mites. My vet has given me ear drops, but I wondered whether my other dog could catch them.

A: Ear mites live in the ear canals of cats and dogs, and although they can be picked up by older animals, they are more common in puppies. The mites usually cause an increase in wax secretion, but as they multiply the ear then fills with wax. This causes the animal to shake its head and, or, scratch his ear.

Ear mites are relatively easy to eradicate with drops, such as those your vet prescribed. The mites spread rapidly between dogs and cats so both should be treated at the same time.