Flea and Tick Season: Preventive Measures for Your Pet

As the weather starts warming up, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors with your furry friend. However, more time outside increases the risk of catching fleas or ticks, which can pose a serious risk to your pet’s health. Our team at Newport Center Animal Hospital has put together some tips to help you keep your pet safe and healthy as you both enjoy the great outdoors. 

Understanding the Risks

Fleas and ticks are more than a nuisance; they can transmit serious diseases to your pet and even your family members. Fleas can cause intense scratching, allergies, and even hair loss in pets. They can also lead to health complications like anemia and can transmit intestinal parasites, such as tapeworms. 

Ticks also pose a significant threat to your pet and family members. Their bites can cause serious complications, such as skin irritation or infection, anemia, and tick paralysis. These pests are also carriers of serious diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Use Flea and Tick Prevention Medication

Using preventive medications is one of the safest and most effective ways to protect your pet from fleas and ticks. 

• Topical Treatments: Topical flea and tick prevention medications are applied to your furry friend’s shoulder blades, offering a month of protection. Make sure you use a formulation suitable for your pet’s breed and size. 
• Oral Medications: Chewable medications offer a convenient and effective way to protect against fleas and ticks. Many of these monthly medications also provide protection against heartworm. 

If you are unsure of the best flea and tick prevention option for your furry companion, our team at Newport Center Animal Hospital is here to help. We are happy to recommend the ideal protection for your pet based on size, breed, age, and lifestyle. 

Additional Tips to Protect Your Furry Friend

Here are measures you can take to help keep fleas and ticks at bay: 

• Care for Your Lawn: Overgrown bushes and organic debris like grass clippings and leaves provide fleas and ticks with the perfect environment to breed and flourish. That’s why it’s important to mow your lawn regularly and keep your bushes trimmed. 
• Regular Pet Grooming: Brushing and grooming your pet regularly prevents matting, which can attract pests and make it hard to detect infestations. Grooming can also help remove fleas and ticks before they latch onto your pet.
• Checking for Ticks: After being outdoors, inspect your pets for ticks. Check for bumps and look on the feet, between the toes, under the legs, on the lips, around the eyes and ears, and under the tail.  
• Checking for Fleas: Check for signs of fleas regularly in areas where the coat is sparse, like the abdomen or underarms. Adult fleas are small, brown, and easy to detect. 
• Wash Pet Bedding: We recommend washing your pet’s bedding in hot water weekly to get rid of any fleas or ticks that may have hitched a ride on your pet’s coat. Don’t forget to wash any other soft items your pet frequently uses, like blankets or toys.
• Vacuum Regularly: Vacuum your carpets and furniture regularly to remove any unwelcome pests that may have made it indoors. Pay close attention to areas where your furry companion spends a lot of time. 
• Act Fast: If you find fleas or ticks on your pet, contact Newport Center Animal Hospital immediately for advice. You may also want to consider professional, pet-friendly pest-control treatments to eradicate fleas and ticks from your home. 

Quality Veterinary Care Near Me in Newport Beach, CA

Our team at Newport Center Animal Hospital and Pet Suites is happy to offer flea and tick prevention recommendations to keep your furry family member safe as the weather warms up. If you have any questions or concerns, we are always here and ready to help. We invite you to our office at 949-644-5460 to schedule your appointment or request one online today!