Flea & Tick Season 101

It’s the most pet unfriendly time of the year. Flea and tick season. Historically, fleas and ticks are the most active during warm to hot months annually. Temecula Valley is no exception. What can you do to prevent your dog or cat from suffering from fleas and ticks infestations?

Regular grooming.

The problem with fleas and ticks are that they multiply very rapidly. Fleas can produce nearly 50 eggs every day, while ticks leave behind thousands of eggs at a time. Consequently, when you see on flea or tick on your pet, the chances are high that an infestation can occur in time. Regular grooming helps you to identify if a problem exists.
Once the problem is identified, it’s time to act.
Good brushing and bathing is key to reducing your pet’s chance of attracting ticks and fleas. A pet with a healthy coat is less desirable, particularly to fleas, who prefer raw and flaky skin. Generally speaking, it’s best to brush your pet before giving it a bath. Brushing not only prevents mats and knots from forming, it aids in releasing natural oils that can improve the coat’s appearance.
Bathing your pet regularly helps them to maintain healthy skin and hair. However, if your dog or cat is having problems with fleas and ticks, a specialty shampoo will help. Good shampoos use a blend of natural oils that repel flea, ticks, and other critters from biting your pet. They also contain items that relieve itching so you can rid your pet of excessive biting and scratching.

Beware of harmful items.

Some over the counter flea and tick solutions boast overwhelming results. Though the product may legitimately kill fleas and ticks, it may be harmful to your pet’s overall health. We’ll review some products that are known to give pets problems in an upcoming blog.