Parasite Prevention for Dogs Kennett Square
If you’re a dog owner, you know that your pet is susceptible to a number of both internal and external parasites, and year-round treatment should be a component of your pet’s ongoing care. Parasites are more than just a nuisance though as many carry pathogens that can cause dangerous illnesses for your pet. There are many things you can do to be proactive about parasite prevention for dogs starting with the obvious, using flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives year round. Here are some other ways you can help prevent these parasites in your pet!
1– Maintain Your Yard
Ticks and fleas lay their eggs in tall grasses and weeds, so you can deter them with regular yard maintenance. By keeping your outdoor spaces trimmed and free of weeds, you can help protect your dog from these parasites and still allow for outdoor fun and play.
2– Bathe Your Dog Regularly
Bathing your pet regularly and keeping fur appropriately groomed can also help you monitor your pet more closely. Just keep in mind that bathing may diminish the effectiveness of many topical flea and tick products. Most manufacturers of topical flea medications recommend you bath your pet before applying the monthly dose or wait at least 48 hrs after application prior to bathing as the product could be washed off if bathed prior to it being distributed.
3– Check Your Pet for Ticks
It is extremely important to check your pet for ticks, especially during the summer months. After spending time outdoors or going for a hike, give your pup a good once over to ensure you can remove any ticks that may have climbed aboard. Inspect your dog from head to toe after spending time outdoors. Pay close attention to the area around the eyes as small nymph stages of ticks love to attach and congregate here. (This is another great reason for regular baths, because it makes the tick hunt simpler.)
4– Wash Bedding
Your dog’s bedding can unfortunately become a breeding ground for parasites, so it’s imperative to keep it as clean as possible. Launder your pet’s bedding in hot water on a regular basis to help kill any bugs, eggs, or larvae that may be hiding there to further protect your dog from things that bite.
5– Vacuum Frequently
There’s potentially more than pet hair and dander making its way into your carpets and rugs at home. Another important part of parasite prevention for dogs is vacuuming floors frequently. The last thing you want are fleas laying eggs in your carpet.
We hope these tips prove helpful to you as we enter the warmer months, and of course, if you have any questions about parasite prevention for dogs or pets in the Kennett Square area, contact our team at Longwood Veterinary Center. We’d be happy to help make sure you find the right preventative for your pet!