Every parent wants their pet to be healthy and happy. That health comes from protection and care. Your dog needs to be safe from several disease-spreading organisms like fleas and ticks.

Fleas and Ticks are pesky wingless insects that live in your pet’s fur and attach to their skin to suck blood. The only difference is that Ticks are larger than fleas and have eight legs, not six.

These insects also bring several diseases that can eventually harm your dog’s well-being. From irritation to serious diseases, these pesky insects are capable of not only making your dog sick but causing diseases to you, too.

But don’t worry, as scary as they look, there is always a prevention to keep them out of your dog’s fur and your healthy life. Here are some tricks and tips to protect your home from these pesky parasites.

Keep the Environment Clean

Ticks and fleas are external parasites that mostly spread in warm and humid climates. But don’t let your guard down in winter. They lay dormant and survive as immature pupae in cold weather.

When the temperature rises, they grow into an adult form. The female tick breeds and lays thousands of eggs.

Clean Your Yard

These pupae can live in the grass and on the wild animals. Make sure to trim your yard regularly and restrict the entry of wild animals.

Vacuum Your House

Vacuum cleaning your house can also prevent the infestation of ticks and fleas that can get inside.

Wash the Bedding & Toys

It is best to wash the dog’s bedding and toys after a certain period. Washing them at high temperatures can kill the fleas and their larvae.

Maintaining a healthy environment is the first step to protecting your dogs from ticks and fleas.

Prevention & Control Products

There are many prevention & control products available for dogs, but consultation with your veterinarian for the right and safe product is a must. They are the ones who know about the approved and effective ones in the market.

These prevention products are available in the form of topical creams, sprays, and shampoos.

Tick & Flea Collars

The tick and flea collars are being used nowadays, but they only prevent the parasites around the neck when the other body parts remain exposed.

One advantage is that these collars prevent the attachment, but once the infestation occurs, they are not the cure.

Caution

Be careful! These products contain toxic chemicals that can be harmful to you and your pet. Read the instructions carefully and use the product with precautions.

Also, consult your veterinarian for recommended products and the number of doses required depending on the severity of the infestation.

Regular Grooming

Regular grooming ensures the hygiene of your dog. It involves:

Nails Cutting

Long nails can prove to be a shelter for ticks and fleas. Trimming them regularly will ensure their safety from not only these parasites but also from many other pathogens that come along with the dirt.

Fur Trimming

Trimming the fur regularly to the appropriate size can help you spot any tick or flea that might find its way into your dog’s fur.

Hair Combing

Brushing or combing the dog’s hair does not allow these pesky parasites to stick to their skin for long.

The entangled hair is also a good place for them to hide.

Daily Inspection

It would be best if you daily check your dog's fur after the playtime outside. Inspect the warm and moist areas of the body, like under the tail, around the neck, paws, ears, etc.

Ticks

The ticks are large and can be seen easily. Once spotted, use the tweezers to pick them up and put them in a plastic bag. Take them to your veterinarian for further testing and medication for your dog.

Fleas

Fleas are too small to be spotted instantly. You have to look carefully for black jumping bugs. The easiest way to confirm if your dog has fleas is to look for the flea dirt.

Flea dirt is the adult flea’s excretion. These are the black specks made of dried blood that is excreted after the flea ingests your dog’s fresh blood and digests it to produce this excretion.

Bathing

Make the habit of bathing your dog every week. It will wash away fleas and larvae.

Avoid Certain Areas

There are certain areas that are infamous for high populations of fleas and ticks. It would help if you avoided these areas (tall grass and wooded places) while going out for a walk or playtime.

Natural Remedies

There are some natural remedies that are proven to repel fleas and ticks. Some of them include herbs and essential oils. Make sure to consult your veterinarian before applying anything to your dog.

Avoid Infected Animals

Once someone’s pet is confirmed to be infested with ticks and fleas, it is wise to take your pets away from them. These external parasites tend to move from one pet to another or even to humans.

That’s why, you must avoid taking your pets into the houses that proved to be infested until they come clean.

Treat Your All Pets

If you have more than one dog or maybe a cat, you must treat them all. Even if there is only one pet that is infested you should treat all at the same time. It would prevent cross-infection or re-infestation if one of them remained untreated.

Conclusion

Pets are the most important part of their owner’s life. With flea season coming, they get scared for their dog’s health. You do not need to worry!

Ticks and fleas are proven to be pesky, but the basic tips and tricks to prevent infestation and disease can keep them out of your house and your yard, too. A good hygiene routine and proper on-time grooming make sure that your furry doggie remains perfectly healthy.

It is important to discuss with your veterinarian about the products before use. They would recommend it according to your dog’s medical history, breed, and lifestyle.