Pet owners are facing an 'imminent' flea invasion.

Millions of households across the UK are expected to turn up the heating to combat the chills of winter.

Pets at Home is urging pet owners to regularly check their animals and homes for fleas, as cosy households give the parasites the perfect conditions to thrive and multiply.

Dr. Karlien Heyrman, Head of Pets for Pets at Home, explained: "If left untreated, long term flea infestations can cause real suffering for pets - including dogs, cats and small furries.

"Repeated bites can be uncomfortable and itchy for an animal, sometimes resulting in hair loss or a secondary skin infection.

"Fleas may also bite humans in the most serious of cases - seeking regular preventative treatment is a sensible precaution for all pet owners."

When fleas get into the home, warm conditions can cause the flea eggs to develop into adult pests faster than usual.

Pet owners might have noticed an increase in the frequency of infestations, as the population of the parasite has grown enormously in the last few years as warm and damp UK summers create an ideal breeding ground.

The weather, better quality central heating systems, and well insulated homes have made the risk of an infestation larger than ever.

Pets at Home wants pet owners to regularly treat all pets in the household with a preventative flea treatment, check your furry friend's coat for fleas or flea droppings, and wash pet bedding regularly at 60°C to prevent and remove fleas from the home.

Flea droppings can be identified as brown or black spots or curls in your pet's fur. When wet, these specks will turn reddish-brown.

The pet care company also wants to remind people that fleas can live on other soft furnishings in the house, with every flea seen on your pet representing nine more lurking around your home.

Treatments with a household flea spray, a vigorous vacuum of carpets, floorboards, and skirting boards, and binning the dust bag or contents of the canister after each clean are essential to getting rid of fleas for good.