Leading veterinary charity PDSA says that every pet-owning household in the country could contain around 20,000 flea eggs at any one time.

The charity says that a population of just ten fleas can increase to over 1,000 within the space of just six months because of the rate at which they reproduce.

And PDSA vets reckon that at the height of the summer onslaught, the UK's canine population could lose as much as 17,600 pints – or 2,200 gallons – of blood every day to the bloodthirsty parasites.

The charity says the figures underline the need for pet owners to take comprehensive steps to rid their homes – and their pets – of the pests.

PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Elaine Pendlebury, said: "Flea eggs fall off your pet wherever it goes, in particular where they sleep. So if your pet snoozes with you at night, your bed could literally be infested with hundreds of fleas and eggs – not a comforting thought when you're trying to get to sleep at night!"

She claims owners can overcome the problem by following a regular treatment programme – but says it is important that pet owners adhere to the exact instructions provided.

"It is vitally important to use the correct flea treatments and dosage for pets. Using a dog flea treatment on a cat can result in fatal poisoning, as can exceeding the recommended dosage, so always consult your vet for advice on the best flea treatment to use.

"Remember too that treating your pet is only part of the procedure as you will have to treat your home and all of the pets within your household too. Everything the dog or cat comes into contact with should be treated with a product recommended by your vet or it is inevitable that the fleas will come back."

Fleas can cause very serious health problems. They are one of the most common causes of skin problems in dogs and cats. In severe cases, smaller animals, particularly kittens, can die from anaemia due to blood loss to the feeding fleas.

With around 14 million cats and dogs in the UK today, most at some point in their lives will be affected by fleas.

To help pet owners learn more about this important subject, PDSA has produced a new responsible pet care leaflet entitled, 'Fleas, mites, lice and ticks', which is packed with useful tips on keeping pets bug-free.

The leaflet not only advises pet owners how to spot if their pet is carrying fleas and other common parasites, but most importantly, what to do about them. It is available at www.pdsa.org.uk or by calling 0800 917 2509.