Things Pet Parents Should Know About Fleas and Ticks

May 28, 2019

Fleas and ticks are the most common cause of health issues in pets. These pesky critters can affect your pal throughout the year, which means; they are in abundance all year-long and have no specific season. Though generally speaking, fleas and ticks are more common in summer, but is it important to protect your pal from these parasites throughout the twelve months.

While fleas and ticks are found anywhere and everywhere, it is imperative that we shed more knowledge on this regard with our pet parents across South Africa. Hence, continue reading for more information.

What Pet Parents Ought to Know Regarding Fleas and Ticks?

There are quite a few things that every pet parent should know about fleas and ticks as these parasites begin to grow in large numbers year by year. Thus, we have prepared answer-based questions so that our pet parents can understand them better and more vividly. Let us dive in.

1) How do fleas and ticks enter the pet’s skin?

There are quite a few ways by which fleas and ticks can enter the pet’s skin. They can get infected by some random flea-infested animal like a stray dog, your neighbours’ flea or tick infected dog, raccoons, cats, urban wildlife, etc. It could also be by way of your pet ingesting flea eggs or other infected things that lay strewn in and around your or your neighbours’ yard.

know about how to handle fleas and ticks on your pets

2) Are there any symptoms for fleas and ticks which can help detect them?

Your pet can exhibit several symptoms when it comes to fleas and ticks. Here are the common symptoms which can aid you in detecting these pesky parasites in your pet.

Excessive scratching
Persistent licking
Skin irritation
Loss of fur
Pale gums and scabs
Flea dirt or droppings in the fur coat
Tapeworms
Allergy dermatitis
Biting skin or fur

3) What are the consequences if fleas and ticks are left untreated?

Never ever leave fleas and ticks untreated because they can cause serious problems to your fur buddy. Leaving fleas and ticks unattended can lead to the following:

Anemia or loss of blood
Babesiosis
Ehrlichiosis
Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD
Hemobartonellosis
Lyme disease
Relapsing fever
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Tick paralysis
Tularaemia

4)How does one prevent fleas and ticks in pets?

They always say “prevention is better than cure” and thus, pet parents should try and prevent fleas and ticks in their furry pal by implementing any, if not all of these.

Grooming your pal on a regular basis is essential.
Keep your home and surroundings clean at all times.
Ensure your backyard is spick and span, and lawn nicely mowed.
Opt for flea and tick preventatives for dogs and cats but consult your vet before doing so.

5) Which is the best flea and tick preventative?

There are plenty of flea and tick products that are really good, and hence, it is difficult to pick an outright winner. But the following are potent flea and tick preventatives pet parents can opt for.

For Dogs:

For Cats:

Now that you have a fair idea about fleas and ticks, it is important to spread the word to other pet parents so that they may also gain some knowledge. And who knows, you might save a life or two. Also, make sure to put your pal on a monthly flea and tick preventative plan as that is necessary, especially during the peak flea and tick season. Make sure you consult your vet before you select a preventative. Stay safe and keep your furry buddy safe too!