Top Ways to Prevent Fleas and Ticks

May 21, 2021

Warm Weather = More Fleas and Ticks

May in North Carolina is beautiful and it’s the perfect month to enjoy time outside! Unfortunately, fleas and ticks like the weather too. As the temperature rises, there are many more bugs, and some of them can hurt our pets. The best way to make sure this doesn’t happen is to have a solid flea and tick prevention schedule. Your veterinarians at Care First Animal Hospital have product recommendations that work best for this area. Read below to learn about ways to prevent a flea or tick problem!

3 Ways to Prevent Fleas and Ticks

1. Flea and Tick Prevention Pills: A monthly flea and tick pill is the most popular prevention method. Given monthly, this treatment works by absorbing into the bloodstream and makes it difficult for fleas and ticks to survive on your pet’s body. 

2. Topical Treatments: Topical flea and tick prevention is a liquid that is usually administered between your pets shoulder blades, where they can’t lick or scratch. The main ingredient in topical treatments is usually Fipronil, which paralyzes ticks and fleas. Usually, topical treatments are given once a month. 

3. Collars: Flea and tick collars for dogs and cats are put on just like a normal collar and they work by having repellent chemicals that spread throughout your pet and protect from tick and flea bites. These usually last longer than topical or pill treatments, which is a pro for many pet owners. 

Flea and Tick Warning Signs

Not sure what to look for and wondering if your pet might have a flea or tick problem? Look for these tell-tale signs:

• Dark or light specs in the fur
• Licking and scratching
• Scabs on the skin
• A small bump around your pet’s head, neck, ears or paws

Worried Your Pet has a Flea or Tick Problem? 

We understand that having a flea or tick infestation can be extremely stressful for pet owners, and it’s difficult to know what to do next. Contact the experts at Care First Animal Hospital and we can help you make the best plan!