Bugs affecting your pets and your family

Learn about bugs affecting your pets and your family, and what you can do to prevent your furry and human siblings from contracting diseases, falling ill, or worse. Have you noticed your pet scratching up a storm, especially after heavy rains or a trip to the dog park? If so, it may be best to check your pet for fleas or ticks, as these small pests can cause a lot of hassle, not only for your pet but also for you.

Fleas

What are fleas?

Fleas are bugs affecting your pets and your family, and are tiny parasites that survive by sucking on animal blood. Their bites can cause discomfort, itchiness, and irritation. Although fleas do not live on humans, they can also spread diseases and infections to humans.

They like warm, humid places outside, where they wait for hosts, and live in trees, shrubs and tall grass. Fleas also like places where pets sleep such as kennels, beds, carpets and couches. These small parasites can remain inactive for a long time, while waiting for the right climate and host.

How do you know your cat or dog has fleas?

If your cat or dog shows the following signs, they may have fleas:

Flea dirt (small black dots)
Excessive scratching
Red bumps or pimples near the groin area, under their legs, on their tummy or at the base of their tail
Hair loss
Dry skin
Pale gums

How do you get rid of fleas?

Fleas can be eliminated through the use of topical ointments and chews for cats and dogs. If your pet starts to develop a more serious condition caused by fleas, you may need to schedule an appointment with a vet. The following can assist in preventing fleas:

Regularly vacuum and clean areas where your pet sleeps, sits and eats (i.e. carpets, furniture and beds).
Wash your pet’s beds and blankets in hot water.
If your dog regularly goes out for walks and interacts with other dogs, they should be medicated every three months.
Grooming your pet regularly assists in removing matted fur for fleas to thrive in and can also assist in identifying if your pet has fleas.

Ticks

What are ticks?

Ticks are bugs affecting your pets and your family too, they small blood sucking parasites that attach themselves to animals and people. They can spread diseases and infections to humans such as tick bite fever and Lyme Disease.

They are arachnids, related to spiders and mites. Unlike fleas, ticks attach themselves and feed on humans. Ticks are found outdoors, especially on long grass, trees, bushes and leaf piles. Ticks can also move from one host to another, therefore from your pet to you and vice versa.

How do you know your cat or dog has ticks?

If your cat or dog shows the following signs, they may have ticks:

Visible ticks (some ticks can remain buried in skin for a long time while feeding)
Presence of tick bite marks (small hard bumps on the skin)
Excessive scratching and licking
Signs of pain in areas where ticks may have buried themselves
Lack of appetite
Vomiting
Fever
Lethargy

How do you get rid of ticks?

Ticks can be eliminated through the use of topical ointments and chews for cats and dogs. If your pet starts to develop a more serious condition caused by ticks, you may need to schedule an appointment with a vet. If a tick has been spotted on your pet, the following steps need to be followed:

Take hold of the tick as close to your pet’s skin as possible (without pinching your pet), using tweezers or a tick remover tool. Never use your bare hands when handling ticks to avoid infections or the tick biting you.
Pull it out slowly in a straight, steady motion. Do not jerk it out, as anything left behind could lead to an infection in your pet.

The following can assist in preventing ticks and fleas:

Grooming

Grooming your pet regularly can assist in identifying if your pet has ticks and fleas.

Washing

Wash your pet’s beds and blankets in hot water.

Medication

If your dog regularly goes out for walks and interacts with other dogs, they should be medicated every three months.

Inspection

Regularly check your pet for ticks and fleas, especially if your pet spends a lot of time outdoors.

Examination

Common areas where ticks like to attach themselves to your pets include: In and around the ears, The tail area, Around the eyelids, Under the collar, Under the front legs, Between the back legs and Between the toes.

Looking for flea and tick topical ointments?

Try our Cat or Dog Medication products for bugs that affect your pets and your family…