With warmer weather in the forecast, you and your pet are probably excited to get outdoors to play and soak up some sun. But if you’re not careful, you and your pet may also be exposed to external parasites. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes enjoy warmer temperatures just as much as we do, and will be making their spring-time surge as the temperature rises. Our team here has three tips to keep you and your furry family members safe against those pesky parasites!
#1: Keep your pet on year-round parasite prevention
This first tip is a no-brainer. If you keep your pet on parasite preventives all year long, there are no gaps in protection. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes are no match for prevention-product barriers. While skipping a dose or two may be tempting, remember that parasites can become active as soon as the temperature rises above freezing, and you will have a full-out infestation in your home.
#2: Check your pet for hitchhikers after coming indoors
While thick-coated, fluffy pets are perfect for snuggling, their lush coats also provide the ideal environment for pesky hangers-on. After each outdoor adventure, thoroughly comb through your pet to check for fleas and ticks. Since most parasite preventives require the parasite to bite your pet before dying, your furry pal can transport these pests indoors. Short-haired pets can also provide a safe haven for fleas and ticks, so ensure you check under the collar, around the eyes and ears, between the toes, and in the groin area for blood-sucking parasites.
#3: Maintain your yard to decrease parasite appeal
Many people believe the myth that ticks fall from trees. Instead, ticks travel through leaf litter, climbing up tall grasses and weeds to quest for their next victim. To decrease your yard’s curb appeal to parasites, keep your lawn mowed short, trim bushes, remove leaf litter, and pull weeds. For a natural mosquito repellent, try adding pots of lavender, lemon balm, peppermint, citrosum, or lemongrass, to urge these blood-suckers to fly elsewhere.
Do you need to restock your pet’s parasite preventive? Please contact us to discuss the best options to keep your furry pal parasite-free.