7 Summer Strategies For Fleas And Ticks
Summer is the favorite season of dogs, be it in terms of more outdoor activities or ice-chilled treats. Not only for dogs, it is the favorite time for fleas and ticks as well because warm weather provides a perfect breeding ground for them. Fleas and ticks are harmful parasites that feed on your dog’s blood. They can attack your dog when they are enjoying their outdoor activities or even when they are indoors and cause Anemia, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and other harmful infections.
These annoying parasites not only affect animals but can also infect humans. So it is crucial to take proactive measures to keep your pets protected from these parasites during summers, both indoors as well as outdoors.
This blog will take you through the tips you can use to protect your pet from fleas and ticks during summer season.
Tips to Prevent Flea and Tick Infestations
Prevention is the best cure- as it is rightly said, we should work on taking preventative measures before the infection advances. It is the key to keeping fleas and ticks away in summer when they are most active. Let’s have a quick look at how we can prevent fleas and ticks from attacking our pets:
1. Oral treatments:
Oral flea and tick treatments come in tablet as well as chewable forms. They effectively treat and prevent flea and tick infestations by killing them within hours of administration and preventing new ones from occurring. They can be administered either directly or mixed with pet foods. Some of the most effective oral flea and tick treatments are Credelio, Capstar, Nexgard Spectra, Bravecto and Simparica.
2. Topical treatments:
Topical treatments are the spot-on formulas that should be applied on the dog skin, usually between the shoulder blades. These treatments last from one month to three months and are ideal for pets that don’t prefer oral treatments. Topical treatments work by disrupting the life cycle of parasites. Some readily available topical flea and tick treatments are K9 Advantix, Frontline Plus, Vectra 3D, etc.
3. Collars:
Collars provide long-lasting protection by repelling and killing fleas and ticks as well as preventing future infestations. They are non-greasy, odorless and waterproof making them extremely beneficial when you are taking your dog outdoors. BayopetTick & Flea Collar, Bob Martin Clear Tick & Flea Collar and Seresto Collar are some of the effective flea and tick collars for dogs.
4. Sprays:
Flea and tick sprays are affordable and easy-to-apply formulas. They provide quick relief from these parasites and offer effective parasitic control. Some popular sprays to combat flea and tick infestation include Effipro Spray, Ultrum Ultimate Flea Spray, etc.
5. Mow your lawn regularly:
It is important to keep your lawn trimmed as short bushes provide less space for ticks to hide and infest your pet. Hidden ticks can enter your house by riding on your shoes or clothes and infect your pet even when they are indoors, so mowing lawns regularly would keep your pet protected.
6. Pest Control:
Pest control is also one of the effective ways to eliminate fleas and ticks. Use professional pest control services as they follow the recommended safety protocols to reduce your pet’s exposure to chemicals.
7. Regular Vacuuming:
To keep these harmful parasites away from your dog and your house, vacuum your carpets, furniture, fabric, etc. Regular vacuuming will keep dust and debris away and eliminate adult fleas, eggs, larvae and pupae to ensure a parasite-free home.
Conclusion
So, these are some of the common, yet effective tips through which you can protect your pet from fleas and ticks in the summer season and keep them healthy and active. As a responsible pet parent, you should take all the protective measures to keep fleas and ticks away from your loved companions. Always consult the vet in case of severe infestations and for more tailored recommendations.
David joined CanadaVetCare in 2013 as a product analyst and veterinary assistant. Being a passionate pet lover and keen animal health researcher, David had always found ways and solutions to help pet parents to improve their pets’ health. He is always happy to answer pet health-related queries and recommending pet parents for the right pet product for their furry companions.