Spring is here and we are loving the brighter mornings and evenings spent with our pets! Long walks and weekends away, Spring has got to be one of the best times of the year! But, with spring comes the greater prevalence of ticks and fleas, changes in your pet’s coat, increased allergies and a few other things you should look out for when it comes to your pet's health. Here's what you need to know:
1. Check for ticks and fleas
As you start to spend more time outdoors with your pets, the chances of them picking up ticks and fleas increases. Fleas could also put your dog or cat at risk of getting worms. Fleas can carry tapeworm eggs and if your pet ingests the flea they could get worms - another reason to keep fleas away.
We recommend using tick and flea control products all year round (not just in Spring and Summer) for the best protection for your pet. However, now is the time to make sure your pet's treatment is up-to-date (tick and flea as well as deworming) and it's best to check your pet after every walk.
How to remove ticks
If you are using tick control products, you shouldn’t have to remove any ticks as they either die before attaching to your pet's skin, or soon after and just fall off on their own. However, if you do spot a tick that is attached, grasp it at the base of the head and pull firmly in the direction of the tick’s body. It is very important to remove the head during this motion otherwise it can cause an abscess.
Which product to use
There are some great products on the market which can protect your pets from ticks and fleas all year round. It’s important to use these products as ticks and fleas can carry nasty parasites. Here are our product recommendations:
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Cat or dog
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Product recommendation
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How often
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Benefits
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Cat + Dog
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Revolution
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Monthly
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Just one dose a month applied at the base of the neck in front of the shoulder blades, for protection against fleas, heartworms and other parasites. No pills. No sticky sprays. |
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Dog
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NexGard
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Monthly
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Comes as a tasty chew. Fast-acting formulation which is safe and effective for 30 days.
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Cat + Dog
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Frontline Plus
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Monthly
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Fast-acting, long-lasting, waterproof, easy to apply (to the base of the neck) and assists in the control of Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD).
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Dog
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Bravecto
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3 months
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One tasty chew with 12 weeks of flea and tick prevention.Safe for use in breeding, pregnant and lactating dogs. Aids in the control of Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD)
Note: For use in dogs from 8 weeks of age only.
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Cat +Dog
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Seresto
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Every 8 months
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Seresto® is a new treatment collar that offers combined tick and flea protection for dogs and cats for up to 8 months, with a single application. This means that you don’t have to worry about reapplication every month, while your pet enjoys continuous protection.
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2. Check your pet's skin and coat condition
As the temperatures start to increase, your cat or dog’s coat may start to shed. We advise you to use a deshedding tool like any of these from Furminator, as they will remove the dead undercoat and keep your pet cool. Deshedding is a better option than shaving as there is less chance of your cat or dog struggling to regulate their own body temperature and you also won't be exposing their sensitive skin to the sun. A deshedding tool will also help reduce the fur balls in your home!
Other important factors to help maintain a healthy coat for your pet are a good quality diet, regular brushing and using a good quality shampoo suitable for your pet's skin.
3. Check for allergies
Grass allergies in pets are common at this time of year so keep an eye out for any itchiness or inflammation. There are products to help ease discomfort such as the Herbal Pet Allergy Formula but also make sure to check in with your vet. And, as we've mentioned above, make sure your tick and flea treatment is up-to-date as the flea population explodes in spring and flea bites are often the cause of an allergic reaction.
4. Check all vaccinations are up-to-date
As pets start to socialise more in the warmer seasons, make sure your pet's vaccinations are all ticked off. Preventative health care is always first prize!
To help you keep track of your pet's vaccinations, deworming and tick and flea treatment, download this easy-to-follow Routine Care Guide or ask for one in store.
Enjoy this time with your loyal companions! And please do let us know if you have any questions - we are here to help!
A big thanks to Dr Candice Cooper, our Absolute Pets' Vet, for her invaluable help in putting this article together.
Happy and Healthy
The Absolute Pets team.