The warming temperatures of spring bring with them a resurgence of external parasites such as fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. At Oakland Animal Hospital, we develop programs for the specific needs of your pet and your particular environmental situation. We will review with you the best ways to control parasites in your house, in your yard, and on your pet. Read on to learn what you can do to protect your pet from pests this spring.
#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, and fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes can’t get past the prevention-product barriers. While skipping a dose or two may be tempting in the coldest months of the year, 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 in the dead of winter.
#2: 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 bloodsuckers to fly elsewhere.
#3: 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.
When it comes to protecting your furry friend against parasites (and the potentially deadly diseases they can transmit), prevention is critical. Contact us to schedule an appointment.