Fall brings cooler temperatures, changing leaves, and, regrettably, fleas and ticks. The impending fall season is an active time for many parasites, so preventing your pets from catching them involves a year-round treatment.
How Do Dogs and Cats Pick Up Fleas and Ticks?
Parasites like fleas and ticks are relatively simple for cats and dogs to acquire. They frequently pick them up by walking by trees and bushes or by lying on the ground outside. At the dog park, at the groomer, or in kennels, they can also catch them from other cats and dogs.
Dangers of Fleas and Ticks
Fleas are known to itch, however they can also result in:
- hair fall
- An allergic dermatitis
- Anemia (in extreme cases)
In contrast, ticks rarely produce evident discomfort like itching, but their bites can result in extremely unpleasant symptoms including:
- Anemia
- Paralysis
- Serious Illnesses (such as Lyme disease)
These dangers pose a threat to your pet’s health, so it’s critical to follow a routine all year long, especially during the peak seasons, to keep them free of fleas and ticks.
Peak Flea and Tick Season
Due of the warmer, rainier weather in Ohio, March through December is when ticks and fleas are most active. Your pets will feel a little better in the cooler, drier winter, but it’s important to treat for fleas year-round. The fall months of September, October, and November are among of the worst since they are when fleas and ticks are most active.
According to research, there are 70% more fleas on cats and dogs in the fall than there are in the spring. The animals’ acquisition of their heavier winter coats and the accompanying warm and rainy weather are the main causes of this rise.
Protecting Your Pet from Fleas and Ticks
Unless they are purely inside animals, most pets will come into contact with fleas or ticks over their existence. Keeping up a routine of frequent flea and tick treatment is the greatest approach to stop your pet from contracting these parasites. treatments for fleas and ticks include:
- Pills
- Chewable pills
- Topical medications
The best method for preventing fleas and ticks is to use these medicines all year long. Pesticides are used in flea treatments to kill adult fleas on your dog or cat. The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that these insecticides are safe to use around people and animals. Additionally, several of these drugs contain insect growth regulators, which stop fleas from multiplying and laying eggs.
You can apply remedies to your property in addition to using medications to keep these parasites at bay. Several outside spraying options are available for your garden and lawn. To prevent wild animals from entering your property and infesting it with flea and tick infestations, it is also advised that you keep rubbish locked and closed.
Schedule Your Pet’s Exam Today!
Our goal at the Animal Medical Center of Streetsboro is to provide your pet the best possible chance at a long and healthy life. Make an appointment for an examination right away if you think your pet may have a flea or tick infestation. Our skilled veterinary experts will assess your pet’s condition and provide the most effective flea or tick prevention products.
When do fleas start to emerge in the spring?
Fleas and ticks are an annoying nuisance that come along with those lovely spring days. These creatures can spread diseases in addition to making our dogs scratch and itch. Even one flea might cause a significant reaction in pets with flea allergies.
When should we be concerned about fleas and ticks? As soon as we have several days that are consistently 60 degrees or warmer, they begin hatching out in the early spring. Fleas will die as the temperature drops after a few good frosts, while ticks can survive into the late fall or even into a moderate winter. Of course, fleas can last the winter in your home if they are already there.
Fleas do not reside outside in the grass, unlike what many people think. Only animals are home to adult fleas. The eggs are what enter the environment. Flea eggs glide off the pet and onto the carpet or grass because they are slick. Larvae are produced when these eggs hatch. The larvae develop into a pupal stage, where they might remain for a very long time. When there are vibrations, such as those brought on by an animal passing by, the adult flea will emerge from the pupa and jump onto the animal. To contract fleas, your pet does not need to come into close contact with an infected animal. He only needs to cross the same area that a flea-infected animal did.
Where are ticks found? Tick adults prefer to live in regions with long grass and vegetation. They ascend to the grass’s highest points, where they can leap up onto you or your pet. In contrast to fleas, they don’t breed inside the home. Pets that live entirely indoors are therefore highly unlikely to have a tick infestation. Pets who visit parks, wooded areas, or are close to unmaintained outdoor spaces like meadows or even certain backyards are most at risk.
What types of illnesses do these parasites spread? The biggest risk that fleas pose is tapeworms. Numerous infectious diseases, including Babesia, Ehrlichia, Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and others are transmitted by ticks. Additionally, both of these parasites, particularly in very young or very old animals, can cause anemia. The good news is that safeguarding your pet from these dangers is now extremely simple. These pests can be kept at bay by using a number of very efficient products on a regular basis. Only veterinarians have access to the most efficient and least hazardous products for your pet. For advice on the best product for your pet, consult your veterinarian. Watch out for over-the-counter products that tout protecting pets but actually contain more dangerous chemicals. Your pet can be free of fleas and ticks if you take the right treatments as directed.
When should dogs receive flea medication?
The majority of flea and tick treatments for puppies should not be used until they are at least seven to eight weeks old (see chart below). Your veterinarian can prescribe a puppy-safe flea and tick preventative and provide you guidance on when it’s okay to start giving it to your puppy.
When do fleas start to become active?
The warmer months are when fleas are typically more active. They prefer humid conditions and temperatures between 60 and 75 °F, which can occur as early as late February in some regions of the United States and during a “second season” of fall over the whole nation.
If you maintain your home at a temperature between 60 and 69 degrees Fahrenheit, or higher, your indoor pet is at danger of contracting fleas even if the outside temperature is uninviting to them.
Where Are Fleas Found?
Fleas can be discovered in pet beds, furniture, and carpets—all areas where you and your pets spend a lot of time. Fleas can hitch a ride on people and animals as they come and go from your home. Fleas also lay eggs after landing on a pet, which can cause an infection to spread swiftly.
What Can You Do to Protect against Fleas?
To prevent fleas from setting up residence in your home, frequently vacuum your floors and furniture and wash your bedding. The routine use of flea prevention solutions is another excellent technique to aid in preventing an infestation on your pet or in your home. Local and online pet specialty businesses have a wide selection of efficient goods that suit your lifestyle.
How can I keep my dog’s coat flea-free?
To keep your pet’s fur flea-free:
- Reduce how much time your pet spends outside.
- Limit your interactions with stray and wild animals.
- Regularly bathe and brush your pet.
- Check frequently for fleas.
- Fleas favor the warmer, more humid months, although they can live all year long if there is an animal to feed on.
What Temperature Kills Fleas in Washing?
95F (35C) or higher in the washing machine should be sufficient to kill fleas and their eggs. Some washing machines may allow you to set the water temperature at 60°C or higher, but keep in mind that using such a high temperature may result in cloth that cannot withstand the heat becoming damaged.
How Long Can Fleas Live on Clothes?
On people’s clothing, fleas won’t actually get much worse. It’s likely that they will stay on people’s clothes for up to a day before they start looking for their next blood meal because they need to eat frequently. Despite this, it’s still crucial to wash every piece of clothing in your home and employ other flea control measures to get rid of the infestation.
In the winter, should fleas be treated?
Yes. Even while many tick and flea species slow down or go dormant in the winter, some regions of the United States lack the necessary cold temperatures to effectively kill these parasites and stop their activity. It is vital to keep your dog protected throughout the year because ticks and fleas can spread diseases that could harm your dog.
Winter fleas in dogs: is this possible?
All you want to do in cooler weather is cuddle up with your dog. Sadly, fleas could also prefer to stay in your cozy home. In the winter, do fleas die off? No, not always. The short answer to the question of whether dogs may get fleas in the winter is yes. Flea populations may decline slightly, especially outdoors, but they never fully disappear. You should continue your flea treatments during the chilly winter months just to be safe.
How often should dogs be treated for fleas?
Family members may be enthusiastic and a little preoccupied when you bring home your new pet, forgetting about the practicalities of having an animal as a pet.
Pets, particularly dogs and cats, require routine care to maintain their optimal health. One suggestion is to give your pet a monthly top-up flea and worm medication, which can help prevent major long-term health issues for your pet.
What degree does the emergence of fleas occur?
When are the tick and flea seasons? Really, it all depends on the area. Every state in America reports activity from fleas and ticks, but some areas are significantly more crowded than others. When humidity levels range from 50% to 90%, fleas and ticks become more prevalent. 1 Ticks and fleas can still tolerate cold conditions in the winter, while fleas seem to prefer temperatures of 70F or higher.
- Fleas thrive in warm, humid environments because these conditions are ideal for both their activity and reproduction. This explains why fleas can be found all year round in locations with warm climates like Florida. Regions that are drier or colder, like the Southwest and the Midwest, have less (or even no) activity throughout the winter.
- Fleas may go dormant for the winter in locations with deep frost, but not if they have entered a building. According to some accounts, fleas might become more active in the early fall because the colder weather makes them more determined to locate a host.
- Ticks can be found in woods, shrubs, brush, and undergrowth in the majority of the country, regardless of the environment, and they thrive in locations with warmer, more humid weather. During the colder months, you can even see them in locations with forests. Although they are typically dormant below 45°F, many manage to survive the winter by locating hosts or cover. 2
No matter where you reside, you should take extra precautions if your pet enjoys going on hikes with you or roaming through fields or farms because there is a higher chance of a tick infestation.
Should I administer flea and tick medication to my dog year-round?
When the weather warms up, ticks can flourish in woodlands and long grasses, and flea eggs can safely hatch outside. Additionally, this is the time of year when you and your dog are most likely to go trekking, going for walks, and taking in the scenery. However, it doesn’t need to be warm for these pests to attack your dog.
The best way to prevent fleas and ticks is to keep your dog on a veterinarian-recommended flea and tick preventive medication throughout the entire year “Dr. Jerry Klein, the chief veterinary officer for the AKC, advises that you always seek your veterinarian’s advice regarding the safest course of action for both your dog and your residence.
“The routine may change according on where you reside, your dog’s age, and breed. For instance, young pups or elderly dogs with weakened immune systems might need particular doses or treatments, or the frequency of the necessary environmental applications might increase if you live in a tropical climate.
When do dogs typically get ticks?
Ticks are active when? In the spring and fall, ticks are frequently more active in open regions (as well as in urban and wooded settings). They can be found in your dog’s environment all year long, so don’t be tricked into believing they’re merely a warm time issue.
