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Flea and tick season is upon us, and homeowners across the nation are on high outdoor alert for pesky unwanted guests. But fear not, fur moms and dads! We’re here to keep you on your toes so you’re ready to fight the good fight, in order to keep your BFF healthy this summer!
What Is Flea and Tick Prevention?
This is the process by which pet owners protect their dogs, cats and homes against flea and tick infestations. These pests are parasitic and feed off of animal and/or human blood. The most popular prevention treatments include:
- Flea and tick topical treatments
- Collars
- Shampoos
How Can My Pets Get Flea & Ticks?
Because fleas and ticks thrive in warm places with a guaranteed food source, your pet’s fur is a prime spot for them to snuggle in and set up shop. While ticks prefer shady and humid climates, these pests can be found in any climate zone. They’re skilled jumpers and are often passed on via nearby wild animals or rodents.
Unfortunately your pet doesn’t have to be romping through the woods on a hike to get fleas and ticks. Any time spent outside can put them at risk which is why prevention is so important!
What Seasons Should You Be Using Flea & Tick Prevention?
It depends on where you live! Flea and tick season is worse during the spring and summer months in the United States, but they can pop up in any climate during any season. Better safe than sorry if you ask us!
Why Is Flea and Tick Prevention Important?
An infestation of fleas and ticks is much more difficult to treat than to prevent. The life cycle of these pests makes getting rid of them both challenging and costly. We highly recommend taking preventative steps before they decide that your pet or home is their summer vacation spot.
Aside from the havoc they can wreak on the body internally, fleas and ticks can be dangerous to both humans and pets externally as well. They can cause skin irritations, itching, and even allergic reactions in sensitive humans and animals.
What Illnesses Can Fleas or Ticks Cause?
Fleas and ticks carry diseases, some of them chronic.
The most common flea of North America can transmit:
- Murine Typhus
- Flea-Borne Spotted Fever
- Cat-Scratch Disease
- Flea Tapeworms
Ticks can transmit infectious diseases like:
- Lyme Disease
- Ehrlichiosis
- Anaplasmosis
- Rickettsiosis
And, unfortunately, the list goes on… We don’t mean to scare you (sorry!), but we’re sure you’re wondering how to keep your furry friends safe. Here are our suggestions for both canines and outdoor felines.
Flea and Tick Prevention for Dogs & Cats
- Talk to your vet about preventative collars and topical treatments
- Be sure that your treatment of choice is designed for your animal - not every dog treatment is meant for cats!
- Regularly inspect for pests after time spent outside
- Act quickly! The faster a tick is removed, the less likely it is to do severe damage
- Keep grass in the yard mowed short
- If a pest is found, treat all pets at the same time to avoid a prolonged infestation
