Warm weather is coming! Those long walks and/or hikes with your pet are right around the corner, I bet you can hardly wait. Although the time outdoors with your pet is fun, there’s another thing that comes along with warm weather that might not be so fun…
Fleas and ticks! These pesky bugs are just waiting for your pet to come on by so they can latch right on. They irritate your pet, cause itching, can be bad for their health, and can also infest your home (if left untreated).
That’s why we’ve put together some tips on how to prepare your pet for flea and tick season! Keep reading along to learn these helpful tips to save your pet, and you, from these pesky insects this Spring/Summer.
Medications
The most obvious way to prepare for flea and tick season is to look into some medications. Things such as flea collars, pills, and topicals can be used before going outside to prevent these bugs from latching onto your pet.
Like always, make sure to speak to your vet about any medications you are looking into to make sure they are safe for your pet.
Take Care of Your Lawn
Fleas and ticks will surely love the trees, tall grass, and bushes in your yard. Which is why it’s super important to keep them all trimmed up (especially overgrown grass). Not only will this help keep fleas and ticks out of your yard, but it also makes your yard look nice (so a win-win)!
Avoiding any overgrown grass or bushes while on walks/hikes is also a good idea to keep fleas and ticks off your pet.
Regular Baths
Staying on top of your pet's grooming is a great way to keep fleas and ticks off your pet. Things such as matted fur or dirty fur can attract these pests to your pet, so it’s important to make bath time a regular occurrence in the warmer seasons.
Baths will help keep fleas and ticks at bay, and certain shampoos will actually help keep them off your pet entirely!
Keep Your Pet Away From Bird Feeders/Baths
This may come as a shocker to some, but fleas and ticks are drawn to bird feeders and baths. If you have any in your yard, make sure your pet can’t get to them or that they are placed far enough away from where your pet usually goes.
It’s best to keep them in entirely separate areas because, nine times out of ten there will be fleas near the bird feeders/baths.
Conclusion
When it starts getting warmer outside, going outdoors with your pet can be fun! But it can also lead to annoying fleas and ticks that like to feed off your pet. Doing things such as using medications, keeping your yard trimmed up, giving your pet regular baths, and keeping them away from insect breeding grounds, can help keep these pesky bugs at bay.
