7 Tips to Prevent Fleas and Ticks
As the weather warms up on the Central Coast, pesky pests make their unwanted arrival. Like any other pet owner, you want to keep fleas and ticks off of your pet and out of your home. Infestations can take weeks or months to control, and these pests pose a threat to your pet’s health. With your furry friend’s wellbeing as our top priority, here are our vets’ 7 tips to prevent fleas and ticks.
1. Use preventative products
The best way to prevent fleas and ticks is - well you guessed it - with preventatives. From oral products to topical applicants, these methods are sure to keep pests off of your pet. Talk to your veterinarian to discuss flea and tick prevention products best suited for your pet. If your animal already has fleas, these preventatives will still kill them, but more aggressive action may be necessary.
2. Do not use expired preventative products
After a preventative expires, the effectiveness of the product decreases. To get the best results, and keep all fleas and ticks off of your pet, it is important to use up-to-date medication. Call your veterinarian to refill your order.
3. Use the prescribed medicine for your pet
To increase effectiveness and use a product that is safe for your animal, it is highly recommended to consult with your vet. Do not use products made for cats on dogs and vice versa. It is also very important to only use the medicine prescribed for a certain pet on that pet, meaning do not use medication prescribed for one dog on your other dog. Make sure to read the label clearly and understand which product you are using.
4. Perform regular tick checks
After a walk through a grassy setting or the woods, perform a thorough inspection on yourself and your pet for ticks. On dogs, it is important to check between the pads of their feet, under the legs, on the face, in their ears and under the tail. Lift up the collar, too. If you feel a bump under the fur, be sure to check it out.
5. Remove ticks as soon as possible
The quicker a tick is removed the less likely your animal is to contract tick related illnesses. It is important to use tweezers and remove the tick by the head. If you are not able to remove the tick, call your veterinarian to set up an appointment.
6. Clean up your home and yard
Nip fleas and ticks in the bud by keeping your yard tidy. Mow your lawn regularly to keep it short and remove all leaf litter, tall grasses/weeds and brush. If you are dealing with an infestation in your home, wash all pet bedding, vacuum carpets and sofas, and empty your vacuum container outside once you’re done.
7. Schedule regular vet check ups
The best way to keep your pets healthy, and flea and tick free, is through regularly check ups with your vet. At Central Coast Veterinary Services, we make it simple by coming right to your door with our mobile canine and feline services. Call us at (805) 316-1990 or visit our website ccoastvet.com to make an appointment.
Avoid flea and tick induced illnesses such as flea allergy dermatitis, anemia, tapeworms, Lyme disease and Ehrlichiosis with these 7 tips from our veterinary team. If you would like to discuss flea and tick prevention methods further, schedule an appointment with Central Coast Veterinary Services!