You & Your Pet FLEA AND TICK SEASON

It’s that time of the year again when the temperatures begin to rise and our little creepy crawler friends come out to play, bringing a whole new meaning to spring.

Fleas and ticks are two of the most common parasites that latch onto pets. Without treatment, not only will they irritate your cat or dog but these small pests can cause infection, carry disease and leave bald patches on your pet’s coat.

Prevention is the best cure when it comes down to these critters. Both cats and dogs love nothing more than exploring their world, which includes going to the places where ticks and fleas may live; tall grasses, garden sheds, rubble or sand. That is why checking your pets after a walk in the woods or some time outside is important.

Ensuring your cat or dog has their monthly dose of flea and tick preventative is one of the better ways to prevent these parasites.

MSD Animal Health has created a map of the UK which shows areas in the UK that are at high risk of ticks, this is great when planning a walk or holiday with your dog.

There is a myth that ticks have the ability to jump –fortunately, this is not the case which should help when trying to avoid them. Wearing brightly coloured clothes when walking will also make them more visible to the eye should one fall onto you.

Wash your pet’s bedding on a regular basis, washing at a high temperature should remove any unhatched eggs. Followed by hovering your carpets and furniture.

Signs that your pet may be infected

J Itching a considerable amount as well as chewing or licking an area more than they usually would

J Bald patches, or red and inflamed skin

J Small dark particles on your pets can often turn out to be fleas poo, this theory can be tested using cotton wool and water. If it is from a flea the particles will dissolve and turn red

J Small bumps or lumps on your pet may suggest that a tick is hiding within the fur, they can be found on the warmer parts of your pet’s body such as their head, ears, neck and feet

When removing a tick some of the common mistakes people make are burning the tick off, removing it with regular tweezers or using their hands to pull the tick away from the body. Using any of these techniques can cause harm to your cat or dog.

To remove a tick, using a tick remover which can be purchased from any of our stores, twist it in a clockwise motion until it becomes loose, making sure there is no bit left on your pet’s skin.

As always if you have any questions regarding fleas or ticks, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team, you can pop into the store or get in touch via any of our social channels. n

Ashlee is the social media and marketing assistant at petplace. Animal obsessed, she has a fondness for all living things and the environment using her creativity to build awareness. If you follow petplace on social media you will no doubt have interacted with Ashlee, she loves engaging with their customers and, most importantly, seeing all your wonderful pets.