Spring is here, and that means a whole new collection of hazards for your dog or cat. While you’re probably as eager as your pets are to breathe in the fresh air and get outside, the Caldwell Animal Hospital team encourages you to take a moment to ensure they are protected from pesky parasites.

Fleas and ticks—more than a nuisance for pets

Everyone can agree that the mere thought of fleas and ticks is uncomfortable—and the actual sight of these blood-sucking bugs can set some people into a tailspin. Unfortunately, these parasites are more than unsightly—fleas and ticks can induce misery and illness in pets and people. And these tiny bugs don’t waste any time making themselves comfortable on your pet or in your home.

  • Fleas — Female fleas can leap on an unprotected pet, bite, feed, and then lay up to 50 eggs per day in the surrounding environment—including your pet’s bedding. As fleas multiply, they continue to feed on your pet—or any nearby warm-blooded creature. Health conditions caused by the common cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) include:
    • Cat scratch disease 
    • Tapeworms
    • Typhus
    • Flea allergy dermatitis ([FAD] i.e., a severe allergic response to a protein in flea saliva)
  • Ticks — Ticks crawl on your pet—or you—and instinctively seek out a well-hidden place to sit down for an uninterrupted meal. Infective ticks transmit dangerous pathogens through their saliva, including:
    • Lyme disease
    • Rocky Mountain spotted fever
    • Ehrlichiosis
    • Anaplasmosis
    • Babesiosis

Ticks may also trigger potentially life-threatening conditions such as tick paralysis.

7 secrets to saying “Sayonara” to fleas and ticks on pets

Although completely eradicating these parasites is impossible, you can make your pet less desirable, minimize biting, and prevent disease transmission. A multi-pronged approach that includes veterinary-approved preventives, environmental management, and year-round pet health vigilance is the most effective. Here are seven ways to outwit these tiny uninvited guests.

  • Keep your pet on year-round flea and tick prevention — Preventives work by repelling fleas and ticks or killing them when they bite your pet, and must be administered year-round. Fleas and ticks don’t have an off-season—ticks can emerge from dormancy on mild winter days, while fleas can maintain a healthy population indoors as long as a regular food source is available.
  • Know how to look for fleas and ticks on your pet — Routinely check your pet for parasites. This extra step ensures you are correctly administering your pet’s preventive at appropriate intervals, and gives you an intentional and focused opportunity to assess your pet’s general health. Once a week or anytime after outdoor activity, perform a nose-to-tail inspection, including:
    • Tail base — Brush the hair above your pet’s tail backward and look for fleas or flea feces, which look like salt and pepper or coffee grounds.
    • Ears, eyes, armpits, abdomen, and under the tail — Ticks love to hide in these warm, well-concealed locations.
    • Basic grooming — Brushing and combing your pet’s coat is a great way to look for parasites, and to discover any suspicious lumps or bumps. If you find a tick, carefully remove it with tweezers and dispose of it immediately. If you find fleas, determine your pet’s last preventive dose and contact Caldwell Animal Hospital for guidance.

  • Avoid taking your pet where parasites are common — Responsible pet ownership includes avoiding parasite areas. If you must take your pet to these environments, ensure they are current on their preventive, and perform a parasite check after returning home. These areas include:
    • Wooded or grassy spaces
    • Wildlife habitats
    • Dog parks
    • Grooming, boarding, or training facilities

When patronizing pet-related businesses, always inquire about their preventive policy before signing up for services.

  • Make your pet’s yard less appealing to pests — Ticks prefer a natural landscape to a well-manicured lawn, so make your outdoor spaces downright inhospitable by:
    • Keeping grass cut
    • Trimming weeds and overgrowth
    • Relocating wood piles 
    • Removing wildlife feeding stations, because deer, squirrels, and other species are common parasite hosts
    • Cleaning up pet food left outdoors for stray or outdoor pets, to discourage wildlife near your home

  • Show fleas they’re unwelcome in your home — All pets in your care—including indoor-only pets—should receive year-round preventives, as dogs or cats who venture outside can easily bring parasites inside to unprotected pets. Additionally, keep a tidy indoor space to deter any errant fleas from making your house their home. Your basic routine should include:
    • Vacuuming flooring and furniture often
    • Regularly washing your pet’s bedding and plush toys in hot water 
    • Ensuring all pets receive year-round preventives
    • Removing clutter

  • Have your dog tested annually for tick-borne disease — At Caldwell Animal Hospital, your pet’s annual heartworm test also screens for tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis. Although appropriate preventives should kill a tick before disease transmission, one missed dose can make your pet vulnerable—making this yearly test essential for detecting and treating hidden disease.

  • Use only veterinary-approved flea and tick preventives —Many over-the-counter (OTC) flea and tick products can be ineffective, or harm your pet—leading to frustration and unnecessary suffering. Our veterinarians can recommend a safe, effective product that is easy to administer and suits your pet’s age, species, and lifestyle. If you have questions about OTC preventives, please contact our team. 

Don’t let fleas and ticks make you uncomfortable or affect your pet’s health. With a few simple steps and a parasite prevention plan from Caldwell Animal Hospital, fleas and ticks will cringe when they think about your pet. 

Need help selecting the best preventive for your pet? Contact us for expert recommendations.