Now that summer is here, you need to know how to protect your pet from common pests.
Biting and stinging insects are common during the summer months, and they don’t just affect people, they affect our pets too. With so many insects around, it’s important to know how to protect your furry friends! Luckily, our veterinary clinic in Levittown in here to help. The following is a list of common pests and how to protect your pets from them:
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes can be dangerous for both pets and people alike. While mosquitoes won’t affect your dog or cat in the same way they’ll affect you, they can cause heartworm in pets. Protect your pet against heartworm by giving them heartworms medication every month (this is important all year, even in the winter!). There are also some tick and flea medications that help to protect against mosquitoes. If you have a water bowl outside for your dog, make sure that you change it out regularly and keep it empty when it isn’t in use, as standing water is an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Ticks
Ticks, like mosquitoes, can spread disease, so it’s important to be vigilant, especially if you are hiking or camping with your pet in a heavily wooded area. Regularly check your pet for ticks after you’ve spent time in the great outdoors, and prevent tricks by looking for a flea control product that also repels ticks. If you do find a tick on your pet, you can use tweezers or a tick scoop to remove it; just make sure that you remove the head, as it is likely embedded under the skin.
Stay tuned for our next blog to learn more tips for protecting your pet against pests this summer.
