The Importance Of Flea And Tick Prevention For Pets
Summary: Fleas and ticks are worrisome pests for pet owners. This blog explains the importance of flea and tick prevention for both cats and dogs. The basic differences between fleas and ticks are explained before the article explains the major health risks of both pests. Pet owners are encouraged to look out for the listed signs of fleas and ticks on their pets, then to look into flea and tick prevention options. Pointe Pest Control provides excellent flea and tick services after all pets in the home are treated.
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Since our dogs and cats (usually) spend a lot of time outside, it’s only natural that they stumble upon some critters in their space. A rogue squirrel or a fluttery butterfly might catch their eye, especially during the warmer months. But two creepy-crawlies that are easy to miss also happen to be two of the most worrisome dog and cat-related pests ever: fleas and ticks.
While both of these pests affect humans, they can be found even more often on furry animals in certain spaces. They cause so many problems that flea and tick remedies are some of the most routine treatments our furry friends receive. But why are fleas and ticks so troublesome anyway? And how can we protect our pets from these bloodsuckers? Let’s dive into the world of flea and tick prevention to learn how we can keep our wonderful animals safe all year long.
Fleas vs. Ticks
First of all, these pests sound so similar that it’s worth wondering about their differences. They say that it’s essential to know your enemies in order to defeat them, and neither fleas nor ticks are friends of ours. Both critters drink warm blood and only reproduce with the energy they get from the meals, but the details of their appearances and habits differ by a wide margin.
The core facts to know about fleas include:
- They are about 1/8 of an inch long
- They live for 2 to 3 months
- They prefer humid, dark spaces
- They can jump up to 2 feet high
- They lay eggs on the host, but the eggs roll off to hatch somewhere else
- They are the most common external parasite
On the flip side, the core facts to know about ticks include:
- They are about 1/4 of an inch long
- They live for 2 to 3 years
- They live in shaded, overgrown grass and plants
- They can’t fly or jump
- They crawl off their plant onto their new host in a process called “questing”
- They gorge themselves on blood, then leave to digest for a few days
Why Should You Prevent Fleas & Ticks?
Pest prevention is a lifelong habit to keep, regardless of the current season and weather conditions. But certain pests are even more concerning than usual. Fleas and ticks fall under this category because they can create an unsettling number of health issues for humans and animals alike.
The more that ticks and fleas feed, the more they can reproduce. They both need nutrients from the blood meals they get from their hosts in order to produce eggs. Speaking of which, the bites of these pests are extremely irritating to their hosts’ skin. Dogs and cats can even have an allergic reaction to the saliva of fleas and ticks. Skin infections are pretty common with these pests because dogs and cats can’t help but relentlessly scratch at the bites.
One of the worst parts of fleas and ticks is that they are too small and well-hidden to see upon first glance. There are so many health issues and concerning effects from their bites because we don’t often see these pests until it’s too late. Fleas lay 40 to 50 eggs a day (once they feed) and infected ticks transmit their disease after feeding for 36 hours, so time is of the essence with them. The best way to protect your pets from fleas and ticks is to be aware — and stay vigilant.
The Risks of the Bloodsuckers
We mentioned earlier that fleas and ticks both cause multiple health issues for mammals, and it’s time to dive into the scary specifics. If either pest previously bit an infected mammal and then moved on to a non-infected mammal, they can transmit the diseases from one host to the next. It’s all about the saliva of the bloodsuckers. Contrary to popular belief, fleas and ticks (and mosquitoes) don’t inject blood into hosts. They do inject their saliva, which is where the trouble comes in.
Both pests have their own diseases and health issues that they can introduce to our furry friends. Fleas are known to transmit flea tapeworms and flea-borne spotted fever to some of their hosts. Ticks bring even more diseases to the table, as they often transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, and anaplasmosis, among many others. Fleas and ticks can also cause anemia — a lack of red blood cells — in young or weakened animals if they are left to feed for too long.
While not every flea and tick is infected, it’s not worth the risk to allow them to feed on your pets. The sooner that these pests are found and removed, the less chances they have to spread diseases. A great habit to get into is consistently checking your pets for external parasites, especially if they’re outside most of the time. Ticks should be removed with sterilized tweezers immediately, and it’s essential to pull it straight out to get the whole pest. If the tick head is left behind, it can keep feeding!
Checks & Signs
It’s important to be aware of the risks that fleas and ticks present, but we don’t want you to constantly worry about the problems these bloodsuckers cause. As long as you’re aware of the warning signs that these pests have, you’re constantly staying one step ahead of them.
The key is to physically check your dog or cat for pests. Run your fingers through their fur and pay close attention to areas with folds, like around their neck and tail. If you see any signs of fleas or ticks, remove the pests ASAP (more on that later). Both pests have their favorite hiding spots. Fleas are usually found near the head, neck, and tail. Ticks tend to hide near the ears, armpits, tail, and toes. By parting the fur near all of these areas, you should be able to see if there are pests or not.
It’s also important to pay attention to your pet’s behavior. If they start acting differently than usual, it could be because they have fleas or a tick.
The warning signs of fleas include:
- Flea dirt (droppings)
- Tiny white eggs
- Scabs
- Constant scratching
- Hair loss
The warning signs of ticks are more behavioral than physical, and they include:
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Pain
- Excessive sleep
- A tick anywhere on the animal
Plenty of Treatment Options
The good news with all of this is that the frequency of flea and tick problems resulted in the creation of countless treatments for these exact issues. But every pet and pest is different, so there isn’t one treatment option we can recommend you. When it comes to your furry friend, we strongly recommend talking to your vet before trying anything. They will have efficient solutions that are tailored to your pet’s needs and health status.
Collars, topical ointments, and oral medications are all common treatment methods for dogs and cats. The specific type that will work for your pet depends on its pest problem, age, health, and preexisting medical conditions. As soon as you suspect your pet has a flea or tick issue, talk to your vet about treatment options. The sooner your pet is treated, the easier it will be to eliminate the pests. These treatments are made to disrupt the life cycles of the fleas and ticks, so the problem essentially solves itself.
Of course, there are different ways to prevent these pests from feeding on your pet in the first place. By keeping up on the yard work — mowing the lawn, trimming plants, etc. — you already cut down on the number of fleas and ticks that can hide in your yard. Also, washing or replacing your pet’s bedding on a regular basis is helpful in keeping their space pest-free. Our pets are our friends, and one way we care for our friends by anticipating their needs.
Protect Your Home (And Furry Friends) With Pointe!
We only want to give our beloved pets the best, so why would we cut corners on the pest control that keeps them — and everyone else in the house — safe from pests? At Pointe Pest Control, our licensed technicians don’t waste time on insufficient treatments that don’t get to the root of pest problems. We begin every service with a full property inspection to find all areas of pest activity, then use our observations to create a treatment plan that targets every present pest issue. Our team looks forward to keeping your home pest-free this year, so contact us today to schedule your initial service!
Citations
Grzyb, K. (DVM). How to prevent and get rid of fleas and ticks on dogs. PetMD. Available at https://www.petmd.com/dog/how-prevent-and-get-rid-fleas-and-ticks-dogs (Accessed on July 8, 2024).
Sheikh, Z. (Dr.). What you need to know about fleas and ticks. WebMD. Available at https://www.webmd.com/pets/ss/slideshow-flea-and-tick-overview (Accessed on July 5, 2024).
Fleas and ticks. (n.d.). ASPCA. Retrieved July 5, 2024, from https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/fleas-and-ticks
Stange, J. (MA). How to tell the difference between fleas and ticks. PetFriendly. Available at https://petfriendlybox.com/resource-center/difference-between-fleas-and-ticks (Accessed on July 8, 2024).
Weir, M (Dr.) & Gollakner, R. (Dr.) (n.d.). Flea and tick prevention. VCA Animal Hospitals. Available at https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/flea-and-tick-prevention (Accessed on July 5, 2024).