Causing a host of problems for pets, ticks and fleas are actually super easy to prevent. To keep your pets (and your home) free from fleas and pesky ticks, it’s essential to treat your pets for fleas at least once a month. You can focus on tick troubles once in every three months. Not sure how to treat your pets and need some more general info on these parasites? As always, Petz has got you covered with all the right answers to your most burning questions!
How are ticks and fleas contracted?
Infested mammals drop ticks into the environment and your pet them picks them up. Ticks are especially prevalent in tall grass. Fleas are also found in the natural environment and your pet naturally picks them up. Since we can’t prevent our pets from picking up these parasites, we need to treat their fur to ensure that the ticks and fleas won’t call your dog or cat their new hotel!
How can I tell if my dog or cat has a parasite problem?
Tick bites aren’t painful, but the problem is that the parasites transmit diseases like babesiosis and ehrlichiosis – also known as tick bite fever. If your pet contracts this disease, it can be fatal. Fleas are pretty easy to spot since your pet will be scratching himself almost nonstop.
What kind of treatment can I use if my pet has ticks and fleas?
If you’re dealing with ticks, you’ll need to remove them as your first point of action. If your pet has contracted any tick-borne disease, that’s something your vet will need to take care of since you can’t treat the problem with any old OTC remedy. The same goes for flea-transmitted diseases. After your vet treats your pet, you’ll need to use preventative flea treatments and deworming products to ensure the problem doesn’t resurge.
What is the easiest way to prevent a parasitic problem in pets?
It’s essential to use a residual pesticide that’s registered for the treatment of ticks and fleas on dogs and cats. NEVER, ever use dog products on cats and vice versa. Flea control programmes generally target all the stages of the flea lifecycle and can also be used to treat your pet’s environment.
The best preventative measure you can take is to treat all your pets with a flea control product at least once a month. You also want to ensure that all flea eggs are removed from the environment, so vacuum those carpets and clean your dog’s bed often.
Can my pet’s ticks and fleas affect my family members?
Ticks can transmit diseases like Lyme disease, relapsing fever borreliosis and Q fever to human. Fleas, on the other hand, can also transmit diseases like murine typhus and cat-scratch disease to humans. These parasites aren’t only an inconvenience to your pet, they also pose health risks to you and the other humans you share a home with.
