How to Prevent Flea and Tick Infestation

Labrador pupFlea and tick prevention can help keep your pet happy and healthy. And it’s much cheaper than controlling them once fleas and ticks have settled on your pet. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with fleas and ticks, they are considered external parasites that can cause extreme discomfort and serious illness in pets, sometimes people.

Flea and tick prevention is very important because it can help prevent diseases, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. When ingested, fleas can cause tapeworm, which can drain your pet of blood and nutrients. As you can see, preventing flea and tick is necessary for the health and well-being of your pet. Here’s how you can prevent flea and tick infestation:

Flea and Tick Preventatives

The best way to protect your pet from fleas and ticks is by using preventatives. These products are typically administered orally by tablet or topically, using a liquid medication. Most liquid medications should be applied between your pet’s shoulder blades or at the back of their neck. Always read medications carefully. For instance, some flea products only protect against adult fleas, while other preventatives also target other stages of the flea life cycle, which is more beneficial to your pet.

Avoid Tick Habitats

Another way to protect your pet from infestation is by keeping him or her out of tick habitats, such as heavily wooded areas and tall grass. In your personal yard, you should strive to keep grass short and brushes cut back. This will help significantly to create a tick-free zone for your pet to play safely. Ticks also like moist areas. With fall right around the corner, it’s important to keep leaf liter at a minimum around your house.

Check Pets Regularly

Get your pet accustomed to regular tick checks. You can do this by checking your pet every time it comes indoors. If you have dark-colored or long-haired pets, this is especially important. When checking your pet, make sure to check their entire body. For a long-haired animal, consider giving him or her a haircut in the spring and keeping it short through the fall. Trust me, it’s much easier to check for ticks on a short-haired animal. If you find a tick, never remove it with your bare hands. Always use a pair of tweezers and grasp as close to the mouth as possible.

When it comes to flea and tick prevention, some medications can be highly toxic to different animals. Therefore, you should always use products on the species for which they are intended for. Don’t let your pet get bit this season. Protect him or her today!

Lisa Podwirny is the owner of Ketchum Mfg. Connect with her on !

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