Everyone loves to have a pet or two, no matter what they are – dogs or cats. As lovable as these creatures are, they also come with a bit of responsibility. Looking after them should be any pet owner’s priority. Often, it’s as easy as taking them to the vet once a month for a checkup, but for others, and especially with pets that are recluses, there can be some added errands that you would need to take care of.
There is no doubt that both cats and dogs love to roam around in the outdoors, and meet their neighborhood friends. This is great, for the most part. However, with this freedom comes one very common, and oftentimes, unavoidable scenario – that of fleas and ticks.
Through contact with other pets or even within any environment, yours can easily get fleas or ticks depending if it is a feline or a canine. Because these insects can jump from one animal to the next, it can sometimes be difficult to keep things under control. However, there are things you can do to curb and even sometimes avoid it altogether. We touch on a few of the ways this is possible.
But first a bit of background information.
Signs to Know When Your Pet Has Fleas or Ticks
The thing to note is that as soon as you realize your animal has fleas, they should be killed immediately. Because the life cycle of a flea is as short as 12 days, sometimes 14 days, the sooner you tackle the issue the better it is and you can avoid other related issues from this too.
These brown little insects can move quickly throughout the animal’s body, and in the event, you do not notice is on, they could exacerbate the problem by scratching and itching the affected area causing scabs, hair loss, and as mentioned in this online post, can cause severe skin allergies and also lead to them having tapeworms.
If you are not entirely sure, there are a few signs that you should look out for, these include:
- Profuse itching, chewing on their coats, or scratching in particular areas
- Flea dirt or the visibility of little brown insects inside their coat
- Sometimes their feces will have them as well
- Irritated skin and patches of hair loss
Precautionary Methods to Keep Fleas at Bay
Some of the common ways of keeping them away may include:
- Vacuuming floors, bedding, and skirting boards regularly throughout the house
- Washing your bedding and any fabric items with hot water
- The use of an effective pesticide or ectoparasite helps to prevent re-infestation
- Once you have finished vacuuming, always throw away the bag of dust after each use
Only by regularly practicing the above precautionary methods, will you lessen the negative effects on your dog, and yourself from getting sick.
Lyme Disease
If you didn’t already know that these critters can not only affect your felines and canine domestic companions but also yourself, then keep reading. These insects can carry a surprising number of diseases that can be transferred to both parties. They can cause unfavorable harm to the household and one of the more common diseases it can give humans is known as Lyme Disease, which is also caused by rats and rodents.
When you get this, you may feel a few associated symptoms such as nausea, headaches, fever, and body aches: https://www.petmd.com/dog/parasites/4-surprising-flea-diseases-you-need-know It is also known by another name ‘Murine Typhus’.
Other known negative effects include tapeworms and Mycoplasma Haemofelis which is a bacterial infection of red blood cells. One of the best ways to keep everyone safe and happy is by using appropriate treatment.
Using the Right Treatments for Flea infestation
Many brands on the pet market offer a solution to getting rid of this problem, however only a few will work as well as they should, not to mention, are safe for the animals and your household.
As a cautionary method, you should always look for one that has the least amount of harmful chemicals in it, as well as safe to use and can be applied regularly. An example, of a well-known one, is Bravecto which has had several rave reviews about it and comes in several formats from chewable tablets to topical applications for your four-legged friend.
Also, look for one that can be used on a pregnant dog or one that is breeding. If yours is still a puppy, this is also something you should be considering, as well as how effective it is. As not all of these solutions can kill both nymphs and larvae, it would be pointless to invest in an expensive one without a positive result.
If, however your dog’s skin is sensitive or you are unsure if they will lick the application, then opt for a tablet format, which is typically given to them depending on their size and age. Smaller puppies should always be given a lesser amount compared to larger and adult dogs. Some ways of giving it to them are either directly into their mouth followed by water, making sure they swallow it whole, or hiding it inside a piece of pet food.
The majority of these should only be given to them up to 4 times in one year and not more. As these are strong treatments, the dog may get sick if too much is taken in a short period so it is important to space the dosage out over the year. Never give your cat one that is suited for a canine, as they may react to it negatively and do more harm than good to their bodies.
It is also a thing to note that if your companion is already on some sort of medication or suffering from any neurological disorders, you should take this into consideration before administering these to them. Speaking to your veterinarian is always the best and first step to take, before purchasing a product. Your pet’s health is imperative in any situation and should be experimented on.
