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- Springtime Activities in Omaha
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- Paws in Pink to Benefit Breast Cancer Foundation
- VCA, Inc. Acquires MidWest Vet Specialists from Kansas State University
How Can I Avoid Fleas and Ticks On My Pet?
Has your dog or cat ever had fleas or ticks, and you want to know how to prevent it from happening again? Warmer weather means the potential for your pet to encounter these troublesome critters, but you would never rob your pet of the pleasures of the outdoors.
There are plenty of veterinary-approved flea and tick preventatives available. There are topical treatments and shampoos to keep these annoying pests off your animal companion. Examine your pet as soon as they come indoors from being outside and check them for any unusual bumps.
Fleas and ticks can pose various health risks for your pet, so preventing them from using your pet as a host is paramount. This article will teach you about flea and tick prevention and how to keep fleas and ticks from harming your pet.
How Can I Stop Fleas and Ticks From Invading My Pet?
Throughout the spring and summer months, fleas and ticks are abundant. They latch onto your dog or cat if your pet does not have proper protection against the invasion. There are several ways to practice good prevention and keep your pet safe.
Preventative Products
Your vet can help determine the best preventative products for your canine or feline companion. They can tell you which products would be safe and benefit your pet the most:
- Dips
- Sprays
- Collars
- Powders
- Shampoos
- Oral medications
- Topical medications
As you can see, there are various options for treatment, and some tend to be more effective than others. Just be careful to give the species-appropriate treatment for your furry friend. According to Texas A&M University, medications meant for dogs can be “dangerous, or even deadly to cats.” Collars can also be a hazard because some contain dangerous insecticides.
Another factor to consider is that while fleas and ticks are primarily thought to be more associated with spring and summer, the American Kennel Club states that sometimes flea and tick season can last as long as late fall to early winter and start again at the end of winter. You may want to consider year-round prevention for your pet.
Keep Your Lawn Neat and Short
Ticks prefer moist, cool environments; if your grass is too tall, it will be cool and hold more moisture. It is essential to keep your lawn neat and short. Consumer Reports recommends allowing the grass to reach four to four and a half inches and cutting it down to three inches with each mow. Ticks are attracted to water, so do not overwater your lawn.
Inspect Your Pet
Even if your pet is on preventive medicine, inspect them after being outdoors. Tall grass can harbor many of these insects as they rest on blades of grass in search of a warm-blooded host. You want to conduct a thorough check all over your pet’s body, feeling for any abnormal bumps. There are certain areas you want to focus on:
- Tail
- Ears
- Eyelids
- Back legs
- Front legs
- (Under) collar
- (Between) toes
If you do find a tick on your pet, remove it immediately. Utilize a pair of tweezers to gently grip the tick as close to the skin as possible, and slowly and gradually pull it straight out of your pet’s skin in a steady motion, leaving no part of the tick in the skin.
Ticks carry diseases they can give your pet, so you must remove them immediately. A tick can give your pet Lyme disease, which can cause swollen joints and limping, energy loss, appetite loss, and shortness of breath. There are other diseases that a tick can pass onto your pet, but Lyme disease is the most common.
Vacuum And Keep the House Clean
Keeping your house clean and vacuumed will inhibit fleas from infesting your home. A messy, filthy environment is ripe for fleas. Vacuum your home, paying attention to carpets, furniture, and bare floors. Wash your canine or feline companion’s bedding once a week to eliminate fleas and any eggs these creepy critters may have laid on your pet’s cozy slumber abode. In between washings, vacuum the area around your pet’s bedding.
Regular Grooming
Groom your dog or cat regularly using a flea comb once daily. Have your pet stand on a white or light-colored towel to see if a substance that resembles coffee grounds falls onto the towel. If it does, it is flea dirt, which is dried blood. Fleas can be very dangerous to pets because if they suck enough blood, it can render your dog or cat anemic, which can be life-threatening.
Conclusion
Fleas and ticks can seriously harm your pet, which is why prevention is critical. Preventative products like topical and oral medicines are helpful. Keeping your lawn short is ideal to avoid ticks. You should also check your pet’s body every time they come indoors.
Cleaning and vacuuming are essential aspects of preventing and eliminating unwelcome guests in the home. Grooming your pet is a bonding experience the two of you can share, and it could also save your pet’s life. Talk to your vet about which products are suitable for your furry friend. Keeping your dog or cat flea and tick-free is one of the many responsibilities of a good pet parent.
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