Here are some must-know flea and tick prevention tips to protect your pets
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Your pet’s warm body and soft fur can serve as a personal paradise for fleas and ticks to thrive. These pests are not just annoying. They feed on your pet’s blood and cause a wide range of health problems, including skin problems and Lyme disease. However, you can protect your pets from these pesky pests by following these simple measures.
Year-Round Preventive Measures
- The fleas and ticks thrive in hotter temperatures and are more common in summer. But some can also survive in cold climates. For instance, ticks can survive indoors during winter. Therefore, it is essential to follow your veterinarian’s preventive measures all year round.
Several products can be used for this purpose, so always check with your vet to choose the one that best suits your pet’s needs. Follow the vet’s recommendations on how and when to use the product. This will guarantee the effectiveness of the treatment for your pet.
Choose The New Brands
- If you are using old flea or tick products, it is time to replace them with new ones. Old and outdated products may not be as effective as the latest products for preventing these pests. Check with your vet about new flea and tick preventive brands or products in the market. The new products will work better than the traditional ones.
Do Not Use The Same Product On All Pets
- Ensure that you use separate flea and tick preventives for cats and dogs. Some ingredients in dog flea-preventive products are toxic to cats and can cause severe reactions requiring immediate veterinary attention. Make sure you read the product label before using it. The product labels indicate the type of pet for which the product is formulated.
Perform Regular Tick Checks
- If your pet happens to be in an area that might have ticks or have other animals with ticks, ensure to perform a tick check once you reach the safety of your home. Start by inspecting your pet’s ears, skin, and armpits for ticks. Deer ticks can bite your pet and remain attached for 24 hours to transmit the Lyme disease-causing pathogen.
Therefore, the best preventive measure is to find and get rid of the ticks as soon as possible. Although all tick bites do not cause a disease, it is better to inform your vet if a tick has bitten your pet. Monitor your pet for behavioral changes, including loss of appetite, limping, lethargy, etc.
Groom Your Pet On Regular Basis
- Grooming is one of the best ways to spend quality time and bond with pets. In addition, if any external parasites are hiding under your pet’s hair, grooming will help you detect and eliminate them before they get a chance to suck any more blood out of your pet.
Keep Your Outdoors Clean
A clean yard and well-maintained house are key to a healthy environment. Ticks tend to like high grasses, so mow your lawn regularly to keep ticks and fleas away from your home. Fleas prefer areas that are warm, moist, and contain organic debris. Rake your yard to provide fewer places for fleas to hide and breed.
Regular Veterinary Checkups
- Another essential tip is regular veterinary visits. Your vet can detect signs of parasitic problems during a regular examination. In addition, your vet can determine if the preventive product you are using is working effectively.
If your pet is infected with ticks and fleas, contact us. At Autumn Trails and Veterinary Center, we provide multiple veterinary services. We are located in Charlottesville, VA. Appointments are conveniently available; call us at 434-971-9800.
