Prevent Fleas and Ticks for your Dog and Cat

Is there anything worse than finding a tick behind Fluffy’s ear? Or that moment when you see a flea jump from Bruno’s tail right onto the living room rug? YUCK! Keeping our pets flea and tick free is part of our duty as a pet parent but it is not always as simple as year-round treatment. These 6 tips will keep your dog and cat flea- and tick-free both indoors and out all year long.

Why are Fleas and Ticks bad?

Besides being just plain yucky, fleas and ticks are parasites that may cause serious harm and discomfort to our precious fur babies. They transmit dangerous diseases such as Lyme disease, Dog Ehrlichiosis and let us not forget…the Bubonic Plague (Flea transmitted disease). These sneaky parasites are out to get our furry friends, but with a few simple steps your pet and your home will remain flea- and tick-free!

itchy grey cat with dog

6 tips to prevent flea and ticks

  1. Year-round treatment

A monthly pill or collar to prevent fleas and ticks for your dog and cat is a must year-round. No matter what region you live, continuing treatment through the winter is extremely important. These parasites survive temperatures as low as freezing (30 degrees). The unpredictable weather these days makes remaining diligent with your pet’s treatment more important than ever. All it takes is a few winter days in the 30’s for fleas and ticks to be right back to their pesky ways. No bones about it, continue your pet’s treatment 365 days a year.

  1. Throw out old preventatives

If you have old flea and tick treatments from previous years or other pets it can be tempting to use them on your current pet. However, most treatments have specific expiration dates and become ineffective over time. These parasites evolve and often become immune to older products. Always check with your Vet for the most effective brands/products available to you. In addition, be sure to use pet specific products, canine products for dogs and feline products for cats. Swapping one for the other can cause serious harm to your pet.

  1. Keep backyard clean

Our own backyard is the number 1 place pets contract fleas and ticks. Keeping the grass, trees and shrubs trimmed will keep your yard from looking too appealing to fleas and ticks. A regular mowing and grooming will continually disrupt the possibility for these sneaky parasites to make their home in your yard.

  1. Clean home regularly

Flea eggs can stay alive all year long in your home, even through the cold months. Once eggs are laid, they can multiply as quickly as 100 per DAY! A thorough routine cleaning will keep your home flea free. There are a few things you do not want to miss during your cleaning that specifically target removing/keeping fleas at bay.

  • Washing pet and human bedding in hot water
  • Cleaning curtains, couches and other fabric materials that are a playground for fleas
  • Dispose of vacuum bag/empty canister (outside) after EVERY use. Flea eggs can continue to hatch and multiply even after being vacuumed.
  • Spray/clean carpeted areas frequently
  1. Do regular tick checks

Looking for more peace of mind when it comes to wondering if Fido has a tick? Do a regular tick check yourself. Start this when your dog is just a puppy or your cat is a kitten to get them used to the unique full body search that an older pet may otherwise not be comfortable with. Regular baths will also help to prevent fleas and ticks. Bath time is also a fantastic time to do a flea/tick check.

  1. Regular Vet checkups

Checking in with the professionals will ensure you have your pet on the best preventative plan possible. They will check the efficiency of your current program and make sure your pet remains on the safe track for being parasite free! A thorough checkup provides the utmost peace of mind for a pet parent, which is priceless. Do not delay, schedule a checkup with your pet’s veterinarian today.

happy yellow dog running to pet sitter

Keeping your dog and cat flea and tick free makes for a happier, healthier pet. When your pet is armed with an effective year-round treatment with a nicely manicured yard to play in, a clean bed to rest their head, smelling fresh from routine baths, and gets a gold star from their vet check fleas and ticks don’t stand a chance! These 6 tips will have your pet saying THANK YOU again and again.

Do you have a best kept secret for preventing fleas and ticks in your pet(s)? Share with us in the comments!

Just Around the Corner offers daily Dog Walking and Cat Sitting in Plymouth, MA. To learn more about how Just Around the Corner can help, check out our Services Page. You can also Contact Us for more information. Be sure to Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Instagram!