Things you can do to prevent fleas and ticks from bothering your pets
Fleas and ticks are a nuisance, but they can also spread diseases, so you want to treat your pet quickly if you see fleas or ticks, but you also want to prevent your pet from an infestation or bite(s). Here is some information about how keeping your pets (and you!) safe from these pests. There are a lot of Animal Worm preventative products available and it’s always best to talk with your veterinarian before starting your pet on such medicines.
At Grah Kingston, we are providing quality Cat & Dog Parasite Control Service. We are known as one of the best Dog & Cat Parasite Control Vet Clinics in Kingston.
Your vet knows your pet’s health status and will be able to help you choose the
safest product. Some puppies and kittens are too young to start preventatives.
Older pets or those with medical conditions may not tolerate certain products
and if they are receiving other medications, some products can interact with
those flea and tick medications.
Although fleas and ticks are more of a risk when the weather
gets warmer, your vet may recommend (or you may choose to) that you treat your
pet with preventative medicine year-round. Some pets who have had a disease or
parasite (e.g. tapeworm) transmitted by a flea or tick may benefit from
year-round treatment. And, it may set your mind at ease as well, knowing that
you are protecting your pet every day!
Once you and your vet have decided what product to use, you
want to use the product correctly and follow other simple tips to avoid flea
and tick infestations – and catch them quickly if they do occur!
1. Read the label of the flea and tick Prevention. Always read the label of any product or medicine you give your pet. Flea and tick Medication products are formulated for cats or dogs and administered by weight, so be sure you are using the right product. Remember, cats are not small dogs so don’t give your cat a product meant for a dog even if they meet the weight requirements (and I’ve seen some cats that are as big as small dogs!).
2. Inspect
your pet. If you’ve been outside with your pet, especially in the woods or
grassy areas, check them for fleas or ticks once you return home. Some places
that ticks like to hide on your pet are between the toes, on the lips, around
the eyes, in the ears, and under the tail. Look for fleas in areas where your
dog’s coat is thinner, such as on their belly or in the armpits.
3. Learn how to
properly remove an attached tick. The sooner a tick is removed, the less
likely that it can transmit illness to your pet. If you are not sure how to do
this, your veterinarian can teach you.
4. Watch for any
adverse reactions. While flea and tick Prevention are generally safe, any
pet can react to a particular product. Look for excessive scratching, skin
redness, and swelling, vomiting, or abnormal behavior. Topical products and
collars may be more likely to cause a skin reaction, but oral products can
cause reactions too. Again, read that label for what to look for with each
product.
Now, I know all you cat people out there are saying: “This
sound like advice for dog people. What about my cat?” Well, cats need flea and
tick prevention, too! Even if your cat is an indoor cat, you may have other
pets (or people!) that go outside, and they can bring these pests home.
Cats are more likely to have fleas, but tick bites are
possible and can be more serious since they transmit diseases when they attach
to an animal. All the same, rules apply when choosing a preventative for your
cat – talk with your veterinarian to choose the best product, read the label so
you know how to use it, and look for any adverse reactions such as new itching
and scratching, vomiting, and behavior changes.
Unfortunately, you can do all these things and fleas can
still get onto your pet and into your home! If you need to treat your pet for
fleas, you will need to treat your home too. To get rid of fleas, wash any
objects that you can, such as bedding or blankets where your pet has been.
Vacuum carpets and furniture and empty the vacuum container afterward. You can
also use a “fogger” to treat a whole room in your house, but you won’t be able
to use that room for 12 to 14 hours afterward. Again, read the label for
instructions.
Pet owners are welcome to visit our Animal
Hospital in Kingston. Our veterinarians can carry out specific testing
to diagnose the parasites affecting the health of your pet.