Flea and Tick Season: How to Keep Your Pet Safe

Summer means long days playing outside with your pet – and an increased risk for fleas and ticks. Fleas and ticks are more than pesky parasites; fleas can cause painful allergic reactions for your pets, and both fleas and ticks can transmit serious illnesses.

Top Flea and Tick Prevention Tips

Protecting your dog or cat from fleas and ticks is an essential part of responsible pet care, but it’s not always easy. Fleas and ticks can live outside in grass, soil and even crevices in the sidewalks. And once these parasites enter your home, they can live inside in the cracks in floors, on bedding and upholstery, and rugs and carpet. Proactive care is essential to preventing fleas and ticks. Follow these tips to keep your pet flea and tick free this summer:

#1: Practice good grooming.
A dirty, mangled coat increases the risk for fleas and ticks. Our veterinary team recommends regular bathing to keep your pet’s coat clean and dirt-free. After a big day outside, comb your pet with a flea comb while standing over a white towel; any fleas will fall off and appear as dark specs on the towel. To check for ticks, run a fine-tooth comb through your pet’s fur; should you find a tick, use sterilized tweezers to carefully remove the tick from your pet’s skin.

#2: Use medicated flea and tick prevention products.
While at-home remedies are increasingly popular, they’re no substitute for medicated prevention like a topical preventative or monthly pill. Flea and tick prevention products are safe for use on puppies and kittens as young as three months of age. Keep in mind, however, that doses are dependent on your pet’s size; never “split” a large dose in half or use a feline product on your dog (or vice versa). Talk to our veterinarian about the different treatment options available for your pet; we’re happy to recommend products that are right for your pet’s specific needs.

How do you keep your pet free from fleas and ticks during the summer months?

Related Pages:

Preventative Pet Care