Fleas and ticks may be tiny, but they are a mighty problem for dogs, cats, and their owners. These pesky parasites cause an irritating itch and an unsightly bite and can not only make your pet extremely uncomfortable and sick but also transmit harmful diseases.

Fortunately, your pet isn’t powerless against parasites. Neither are you—because you have the Stanton Pet Hospital team in your corner. 

Why are fleas such a problem for pets? 

Fleas are small, flat, wingless parasites known for their incredible jumping ability and their rapid reproduction. One female flea can lay 40 to 50 eggs per day, and those eggs can hatch and mature into adults in as little as two to four weeks. Adult fleas feed on warm-blooded mammals, including pets and humans, and can transmit disease through their bite.

Flea-borne illnesses and conditions include:

  • Painful, itchy bites
  • Flea allergy dermatitis (i.e., an intense allergic reaction to a protein in flea saliva)
  • Anemia in puppies and kittens
  • Hemoplasma disorders
  • Bartonellosis
  • Tapeworms

Once a flea infestation is established in your home, consistent treatment of both pet and environment is necessary for complete eradication. Unfortunately, fleas occur naturally in the environment and can easily hitch a ride on your pet. Therefore, we strongly recommend year-round flea prevention to ensure fleas don’t have a biting chance.

How do ticks affect pet health?

Ticks are eight-legged members of the arachnid family commonly found outdoors in wooded or grassy areas. Tick development is dependent on warm-blooded mammals, and ticks need a blood meal at each life stage (i.e., larvae or seed tick, nymph, and adult). After they feed, ticks drop off their host and return to the environment to mature, mate, or reproduce.

During feeding, infected ticks can transmit harmful bacteria and pathogens obtained from previous hosts (e.g., deer, mice, other wildlife). Tick-borne illnesses frequently lead to generalized illness and may include painful joint swelling. Illnesses include:

  • Lyme disease
  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever
  • Ehrlichiosis
  • Anaplasmosis
  • Tick paralysis

Flea and tick prevention: Your pet’s best defense is a good offense

If your skin is now crawling, you’ll be relieved to learn that with the help of the Stanton Pet Hospital team, parasite prevention is simple, safe, and effective. 

First and foremost, protecting your pet begins with a veterinarian-recommended flea and tick prevention protocol. Preventives safeguard your pet from external parasites by repelling or killing fleas and ticks. Prevention products, which are available in topical and oral formulations to suit each pet and their owner’s preferences, are generally applied or administered every 30 to 90 days, depending on the active ingredient. Our veterinarian will ask a few questions about your pet’s lifestyle, behavior, and home environment, and then recommend products customized for your dog or cat.

The case for year-round flea and tick prevention for pets

While flea and tick preventives are a simple and effective solution, they must be used properly and consistently to ensure a reliable defense against parasitic infestation and disease. Treatment gaps give fleas and ticks an opportunity to transmit harmful pathogens or take up residence in your home, and we, therefore, recommend year-round dosing for all dogs and cats. 

Flea and tick prevention for indoor-only pets

Pet owners often question the necessity of flea and tick prevention for pets who never go outdoors. Yet, these pets are still at risk for external parasites, despite that their paws may never grace the dirt or grass. Fleas and ticks can easily enter your home on another pet or attached to your shoes or clothing. Without adequate protection, indoor-only pets often become easy targets for flea infestation and tick-borne illness.

As with other preventive care measures (e.g., routine veterinary visits, vaccines, a healthy diet), all pets should receive veterinary-recommended parasite preventives.

Caring for your pet’s environment: Preventing parasites in and around the home

In addition to topical or oral flea and tick preventives, you can regularly discourage parasites in your pet’s environment by:

  • Vacuuming carpets, rugs, and furniture
  • Laundering pet bedding  
  • Keeping your pet clean and well-groomed
  • Trimming grass
  • Removing leafy debris and weeds from your pet’s outdoor area
  • Relocating wildlife feeders
  • Checking your pet for ticks after hiking, camping, or playing in areas where ticks are common (e.g., tall grasses, wooded areas), because prompt tick removal will further reduce disease transmission risk
  • Requesting tick-borne disease testing during your dog’s yearly wellness appointment at Stanton Pet Hospital 

Making a parasite prevention battle plan: Talk to your pet’s veterinarian

Fleas and ticks may be small, but they can make a big impact on your pet’s comfort and health. If your pet isn’t currently receiving year-round parasite preventives, or you’re struggling to eliminate a flea infestation, our Stanton Pet Hospital team can help. Our veterinarian will evaluate your pet, design a customized parasite treatment and prevention plan that will ease their discomfort, identify and address current illness, break the parasite life cycle, and protect your pet’s future health. Contact our team to schedule an appointment.