How to Protect Your Pet from Ticks this Summer
Ticks are more than just a nuisance for dogs and cats. These troublesome parasites are powerful disease vectors as well, and they pose a danger to pets and pet parents alike. As you prepare for summertime fun with your pets, you need to take steps to prevent tick bites and their associated dangers.
It is important to start looking for ticks as soon as the weather turns warmer. Ticks are generally less of a problem during the winter months - especially in colder climates, but they are quite resilient and will reappear quickly as soon as springtime arrives. By the time summer is in full swing, you can expect to find ticks not only in wooded areas but anywhere there is sufficient cover, including your lawn.
Watch the local wildlife
Keeping your home and yard free of nuisance wildlife is one of the best ways to reduce ticks around your property. Possums, raccoons, skunks, rabbits, coyotes and other wildlife often harbor ticks, and the parasites can easily fall off and end up in your yard. From there it is only a quick jump to your cat or dog.
If you have outdoor cats on your property, it is a good idea to treat them with a quality flea and tick product. Topical treatments like Frontline and are very effective at keeping ticks from biting your pets. Applying the same treatment to outdoor and feral cats provides extra protection for your family members and your pets.
Check your pets (and yourself) often
Consistent and timely application of a flea and tick protection product is important, but it does not mean that pet parents do not need to be vigilant. Checking your cat or dog for ticks on a regular basis is an essential part of pet ownership.
You should check your pet for ticks every time you come in from the outdoors, even if you were just taking a quick stroll around the yard or a walk down the street. Ticks are sneaky, and they can attach themselves to your pet in a matter of minutes.
Be sure to check everywhere for ticks, including along the inside of the legs, on the ears and around the base of the tail. Those are prime places for ticks to attach themselves and do their damage.
If you do find a tick, you should remove it promptly using gentle pressure with a pair of tweezers. Place the tick in a secure container and take it to the vet for analysis if at all possible. Your veterinarian can test the tick to see if it is carrying Lyme disease. If the tick tests positive, your vet can recommend a course of treatment for your cat or dog.
Do not forget to check yourself for ticks when you are done with your dog or cat. Ticks do not discriminate among species, and they are just as likely to latch on to you as your pet. If you find a tick, carefully remove it and take it to your doctor for testing.
Keeping your pet tick free this summer will not be easy, but a combination of the right preventative treatment and vigilance will help a lot. Nothing can completely stop ticks, but pet parents can help the animals they love avoid long-term problems.
Want to protect your forever friend from nasty ticks? Our online store stocks heavily discounted (up to 75% off) tick products, including Frontline.
Feature image credit
It is important to start looking for ticks as soon as the weather turns warmer. Ticks are generally less of a problem during the winter months - especially in colder climates, but they are quite resilient and will reappear quickly as soon as springtime arrives. By the time summer is in full swing, you can expect to find ticks not only in wooded areas but anywhere there is sufficient cover, including your lawn.
Watch the local wildlife
Keeping your home and yard free of nuisance wildlife is one of the best ways to reduce ticks around your property. Possums, raccoons, skunks, rabbits, coyotes and other wildlife often harbor ticks, and the parasites can easily fall off and end up in your yard. From there it is only a quick jump to your cat or dog.
If you have outdoor cats on your property, it is a good idea to treat them with a quality flea and tick product. Topical treatments like Frontline and are very effective at keeping ticks from biting your pets. Applying the same treatment to outdoor and feral cats provides extra protection for your family members and your pets.
Check your pets (and yourself) often
Consistent and timely application of a flea and tick protection product is important, but it does not mean that pet parents do not need to be vigilant. Checking your cat or dog for ticks on a regular basis is an essential part of pet ownership.
Be sure to check everywhere for ticks, including along the inside of the legs, on the ears and around the base of the tail. Those are prime places for ticks to attach themselves and do their damage.
If you do find a tick, you should remove it promptly using gentle pressure with a pair of tweezers. Place the tick in a secure container and take it to the vet for analysis if at all possible. Your veterinarian can test the tick to see if it is carrying Lyme disease. If the tick tests positive, your vet can recommend a course of treatment for your cat or dog.
Do not forget to check yourself for ticks when you are done with your dog or cat. Ticks do not discriminate among species, and they are just as likely to latch on to you as your pet. If you find a tick, carefully remove it and take it to your doctor for testing.
Keeping your pet tick free this summer will not be easy, but a combination of the right preventative treatment and vigilance will help a lot. Nothing can completely stop ticks, but pet parents can help the animals they love avoid long-term problems.
Want to protect your forever friend from nasty ticks? Our online store stocks heavily discounted (up to 75% off) tick products, including Frontline.
Feature image credit