Ticks and fleas season: how to protect your pet

Ticks and fleas are not only itchy. Ticks can carry serious infections and fleas cause allergy and tapeworms. In mild climates parasites are active from early spring to late autumn, and indoors fleas can live all year.

Prevention

• Ask your vet for a product that suits your pet's species, weight and age: spot-on, tablet or collar.
• Never put a dog product on a cat. Some dog treatments (for example with permethrin) can be deadly to cats.
• Repeat on the schedule on the label. Missing a dose leaves a gap.
• Treat all pets in the home.

Check after walks

1. Run your hands over the whole body, especially ears, neck, armpits, groin and between toes.
2. Part the fur and look for small dark bumps.
3. Check yourself and your children too.

Removing a tick

Use a tick hook or fine tweezers. Grip close to the skin and pull out steadily without twisting or squeezing. Clean the spot and wash your hands. Note the date in the pet's log.

Fleas at home

Wash bedding at high heat, vacuum often and throw out the vacuum bag. Treating the pet alone is not enough, because most of the fleas live in the home as eggs and larvae.

See a vet if

The pet is lethargic, off food, has a fever, pale gums, or a swollen red area where the tick was. Symptoms can appear weeks later.

Set a monthly reminder so the next treatment is never missed.