Fleas and Ticks Spread Skin Irritation and Disease: Avoid Them!

Fleas and ticks can attack your pets any time of the year here in Laguna Hills. Fleas can leap onto your pet when she is out playing in the back yard. And ticks love to attach themselves to sneaky, warm places on your pet while he is hiking with you. Our Orange County veterinarian says that flea and tick prevention is important year-round. So to protect your pet from suffering skin irritation or worse, follow these tips to keep those pests away.

Preventing Fleas and Ticks for Your Pet’s Comfort and Safety

One critical step to flea and tick control is making sure to keep your pet on his or her correct dose of preventative medication every month of the year. These medications need to be prescribed by an animal clinic because they are dosed based on weight, species and other concerns. For example, you should never use a dog medication against fleas and ticks on a cat, or vice versa. If your pet has gained or lost weight recently, call our veterinary hospital for a quick weigh-in to make sure the dosage is correct.

At home, keep your lawn and garden well-trimmed to avoid inviting fleas and ticks over. If you have an infestation problem, there are some chemical applications you can use in your yard, but proceed with caution and talk with our veterinary staff first for suggestions. You can also plant flea- and tick-repellent plants around your home like garlic, lavender, rosemary, mint, sage, lemongrass, sweet bay and citronella.

Even if your pet is taking flea and tick control medication, always do a flea and tick check after each outing. Pay special attention to the furriest, deepest folds of skin on the neck, the “armpits” and the belly. If your pet shows signs of skin irritation (excessive licking and biting at a spot), check for an embedded tick or a flea bite and call our animal clinic for further advice.

What other flea and tick prevention tips do you have?