Summer in California is sunny, hot, and the season for fleas and ticks. It’s so important to be proactive in keeping your dog and cat safe from these terrible little creatures. When dogs and cats are susceptible to flea or tick bites, they are at risk for diseases. Unfortunately, vaccines for tick-borne diseases are not yet available. It’s extremely important to use flea and tick prevention products on your furry family members.
Did you know that when a dog or cat is bitten by a tick the signs and symptoms don’t typically appear for 7-21 days? Keeping an eye on your pet for changes in behavior or appetite is imperative, especially if you have your suspicions that they’ve been the main course of a tick’s dinner.
Stop Tick-Borne Diseases Before They Happen
There are plenty of things you can do to reduce the chance of your cat or dog being infected with a tick-borne disease. Your first step should be an appointment with your veterinarian. Getting your pet a good once-over by the doctor is key. At this appointment, you can ask your vet any tick-related questions you may have and for the best ways to keep your pet safe.
Here are some other tips for tick prevention:
- Check your dog or cat daily for ticks, especially if they spend time outside
- If you find a tick on your pet, properly remove it, ASAP
- At each vet appointment, have your dog checked over for ticks
- Take measures to reduce tick habitats in your yard
- Research and discover which tick preventatives are best for your pet
Keep in mind that cats are far more sensitive to chemicals than dogs. Always ask your vet to point you in the direction of feline-friendly tick repellents.
Make sure to check the following areas when examining your pet for ticks:
- In and around the ears
- Around the eyelids
- Under the collar
- Under the front legs
- Between the toes
- Between the back legs
- Around the tail
Prevent Fleas From Infesting Your Pet
Dogs and cats need flea protection all year round, not only in summer. This is because most fleas thrive in temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees. Most of our homes meet these temperature thresholds, even during winter. It’s important that your pet remain effectively protected with high-quality products.
Which leads us to our next point: Don’t use expired flea products! The efficacy begins to wear off, significantly, after the expiry date. This leaves your dog or cat open to a flea infestation. It’s wise to check with your vet about the products you plan to use and what their shelf lives are.
Using canine flea and tick prevention products on your cat is a mega no-no. Dogs and cats do not metabolize chemicals in the same way. Your cat is far more sensitive to medications than your dog. Using a canine flea treatment on your cat can seriously injure or kill your pet. Make sure to thoroughly read all product labels. If you are unsure of a product being safe for cats, ask your veterinarian.
Regularly check your cat or dog for fleas. Unlike ticks, fleas are much easier to notice. They swarm your pets’ body and often culminate in groups. You’ll often see sore spots, bleeding, and itching when a flea infestation is severe. Your dog or cat may even excessively scratch or bite at themselves to relieve the itching and discomfort.
Regular grooming is vital in keeping fleas and other parasites from calling your pet’s body, home. Lucky Dog Pet Grooming Salon knows exactly how and where to check your pet for fleas during the grooming process.
Keeping your yard neat and tidy is another excellent way to deter fleas from bothering your pets. Fleas love to congregate in warm, moist, shady areas with lots of grass and leaves. Raking and mowing can help keep them away.
Lastly, taking your pet to the vet for regular checkups is important. Your vet can examine your cat or dog for signs of flea infestation and also counsel you on the best preventative measures.
Get Flea And Tick Prevention Tips From Lucky Dawg Pet Grooming Salon
We want to see your pet healthy and free of ticks and fleas just as much as you do. Schedule an appointment with our friendly staff today for your professional grooming services, whether that be an in-salon visit or our mobile grooming services. Feel free to contact us with any flea and tick prevention questions you may have. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Mobile Grooming: 310-784-0566
