How to Protect Yourself and Pet From Fleas and Ticks

Fleas and ticks are common parasites that become active in warmer weather. They will feed on dogs, cats and people. Flea bites can cause severe skin irritation, itching and bacterial infections in both pets and people and ticks can carry several diseases including Lyme disease. The following are ways to protect yourself and your pets from these harmful pests.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Brush your pet after any outdoor outing or after they spend time outside. Find the appropriate brush for your pet’s type of coat.
2. Use flea/tick treatments or medications to prevent and kill fleas and ticks on your pet. There are effective treatments that are recommended by veterinarians and applied to your pet in one spot, once a month--or there are various natural remedies if you prefer.
3. Cut or mow tall brush and grass where your pet plays.
4. Do daily tick checks on your pet, yourself and the rest of your family.
5. Use sharp, pointed tweezers to remove any ticks that you find, then apply antiseptic to the affected area.
6. Vacuum your house and wash your pet’s bedding regularly to remove flea eggs and larvae.

Tips & Warnings

• There are flea shampoos and dips available at pet supply stores and veterinarians, as well as flea dip services provided by veterinarians and groomers.
• Consider applying a tick repellent if you will be spending time in a wooded area. That also includes your front porch or backyard if you live near a wooded area.
• If you live in an area with a high concentration of ticks, discuss getting your dog vaccinated for Lyme disease with your vet. There is currently no vaccine for cats. There is also a vaccine available for humans that you may want to inquire about with your physician.
• Lyme disease cannot be spread directly from animals to humans. A person would have to be bitten by a tick in order to get the disease.
• A common sign of Lyme disease in humans is a circular “bullseye” rash, which may be accompanied by swollen lymph nodes and sore muscles. The first sign of Lyme disease in pets is limping, which may be accompanied by swollen lymph nodes and fever.
• Never use a hot match to remove a tick. That can make it burrow further into the skin. It’s simply one of those myths that has been handed down for generations.