Most of us pet parents will do whatever we can to avoid unnecessary health risks and keep our furry friends healthy and happy.
As temperatures increase, there’s a greater possibility your cat or dog will encounter an external threat.
When Fido loves to sun himself on the back deck or Ms. Kitty cannot resist prowling around in tall grass, it’s hard to prevent pests from…well…pestering our fur babies.
Not to worry, you can still enjoy the outdoors while taking a few precautions that protect your dog or cat from warm weather pests.
Keep reading to learn more about 5 common pests that come out in the summer, and how you can prevent these parasites from making your pet uncomfortable and creating disease.
Fleas
Hopefully, your dog or cat is already on flea (and tick) control. But there’s another form of flea prevention: your leash! It’s basic. Your dog can pick up fleas from other pooches. Keep a cautious length to your leash when walking in a crowded park. You don’t want your dog socializing with a flea-infested canine. If you plan to attend a doggy get-together, it’s okay to ask the other owners if their dogs have up-to-date flea protection.
Check out other Flea Prevention advices here.
Ticks
When it comes to ticks, I suggest keeping your grass cut at all times. This might be something of a problem during the summer when you’d rather be on the water or grilling out with friends on the weekends. Not to mention the heat and humidity. Even if you have to drag yourself outside on Saturday morning, it’s worth it.
If you need an incentive, remember how much your cat likes to roam through those tall weeds before coming into the house and curling up on your sofa.
Mosquitos
Mosquitos are annoying. And they can be dangerous. Your dog can get heartworms from a single mosquito bite. (Now you’re dealing with two pests!) Protect your pet from mosquitos with some commonsense rules. Avoid walking your dog near stagnant or swampy water. If your pup loves a good splash, make sure he takes it in running water. And be vigilant about stagnant water around your property. After a prolonged rainfall, it’s best to play and walk in places where there’s good drainage.
Bot Flies
Trust me, this picture of a bot fly is deceptively innocent. Your cat or dog can pick up bot fly maggots through bodily cavities, such as the mouth or nose. The result is horrific. Just imagine a boil on your pet’s skin with a maggot inside. According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council, grass, wood, and bark near rodent lodgings can contain bot fly eggs. In other words, if your cat wants a bite of grass near a rodent hole, don’t let her! If your terrier starts digging for a mouse, stop him!
Sarcoptes Scabiei Mites
Scabies cause severe discomfort.
These mites burrow beneath the skin and cause extreme itchiness and rashes. Like fleas, scabies are spread by other infected animals. If you notice a visiting cat or dog with missing patches of hair, do not let your pet come into contact, as scabies are transmitted from contact with other infected animals. If you see that your pet exhibits these symptoms, seek veterinary care. A topical cream will likely be prescribed. When applied, this medicine will destroy the scabies, and your pet will stop experiencing symptoms. It’s equally important to note that scabies are transmittable between animals and humans, so keep a watchful eye on dogs and cats who exhibit extreme itchiness and hair loss.
In conclusion…
Unfortunately, you can’t always prevent pests from harming your cat or dog, but you can help your pet recover faster. The key to recovery for your affected pet begins with a healthy immune system.
Build a healthy immune system for your pet by putting him or her on The Original CrockPet Diet®.
