As the weather warms up, many pet parasites pick up–or get picked up by pets. Fleas and ticks become more active, as do mosquitoes, which transmit heartworms. Internal parasites can be active year-round, and in many areas so are the pests that used to give pets a break in the winter.
Checking in with your pet’s veterinarian is the best way to determine what your pet needs to be protected from, and how to do so. While parasite prevention and treatments are safer than they have ever been, anything you put in or on your pet still needs to be carefully considered, with directions precisely followed.
Here are some tips:
Your veterinary healthcare team can easily test for internal parasites such as tapeworms (transmitted by fleas), roundworms (usually found in puppies and kittens), and heartworms in both dogs and cats. Fleas and ticks are usually visible without a test if you look through your pet’s coat carefully.
It’s especially important to test for heartworm every year, as once a dog is infected with these parasites, they must go through an expensive, multistep course of treatment that generally requires months of exercise restriction, followed by re-testing to be sure the body is clear of heartworms. Once the treatment is successful, your veterinarian will advise on ongoing preventive care options.
While the active ingredients in some formerly prescription-only parasite products are now available over the counter, it is still best to discuss which of these products–prescription or OTC–are safest and most effective for your individual pet. Some products that are safe on some dogs are not recommended for others with a genetic pre-disposition to reacting negatively (there’s a test for that, by the way). Other products are safe for dogs but can be deadly on cats.
Some OTC products and home remedies are best avoided altogether, either because they’re less safe, they’re ineffective or both. Garlic, for example, is often touted as a folk cure for fleas; it’s not only ineffective but it’s also toxic to dogs and cats and can cause potentially deadly anemia.
Although preventive medications for ticks are advisable, it’s still best to check for these pests after every outing in hopes of removing them before they can embed fully. Prepare a small dish of rubbing alcohol and have either tweezers or a tick-pulling aid at hand. Because of the risk of tick-borne illness to humans as well as pets, put on some disposable gloves before you begin.
Search through your pet’s fur and remember to check semi-hidden areas such as the “armpit,” where the legs meet the body, and under/around the ears. When you find a tick, grasp firmly with the tick-puller or tweezers, and pull slowly but firmly away from your pet’s body. Flick the ticks into the dish of rubbing alcohol and flush down the toilet when you’re done. Don’t be too concerned if part of the tick remains in your pet: Put a dab of antibiotic cream on the spot and keep an eye on it. If the area becomes red or swollen, your veterinarian should have a look. You should also monitor your pet for any signs of illness, such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, lameness or swelling around the joints, and contact your veterinarian about any concerns, as early diagnosis and treatment are key when it comes to tick-borne illnesses.
In areas with high concentrations of ticks, your veterinarian may additionally recommend a tick collar. Parasite prevention is not “one-size-fits-all." Consult your veterinarian about your options and what’s best for your pet.
There is no effective “holistic” treatment for a parasite infestation, but there are non-toxic practices that reduce the number of pests your pet is exposed to. Inside the home, vacuuming pet areas daily and disposing of the vacuum contents often disrupts the life cycles of fleas and tapeworms. Choose washable pet bedding and send it through a washer and dryer weekly. Brush diatomaceous earth into carpets, upholstered furniture and tiny crevices where floors meet walls. When fleas come into contact, the product kills these pests by drying them out. Do not apply diatomaceous earth directly to your pet.
In your yard, reduce exposure to fleas by keeping pets away from wood or brush piles where rodents or other flea-bearing wildlife take shelter. To minimize mosquitoes, remove any standing water and contact your regional mosquito and vector control agency for more advice. Keep vegetation well-trimmed to reduce areas for ticks to hide in.
Bathing your dog or cat with ordinary pet shampoo washes fleas down the drain–often there is no need for special flea shampoos. A simple flea comb with its narrow space between teeth is the most effective way to remove fleas, especially on short-haired pets. Again, just flick what you find into a dish of rubbing alcohol and flush the pests when you’re done.
Final note: If your pet has any reaction to any parasite prevention or control product, consult your veterinary healthcare team as soon as possible for advice. Your veterinarian will need to know what you used, when and how much.
There is no magic wand or even one simple thing that will keep your pet free of parasites. But working with your veterinarian on prevention, diagnosis and treatment, along with creating an environment that’s hostile to parasites while safe for you and your pets, will go a long way to keeping these pests from causing harm.
Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new petTake advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet.
Enroll a new pet