Scratch Scratch Here...Parasites are on their way.

Are dogs and cats like people when we hear the word "lice", and start scratching at the sound of fleas or ticks? With the start of spring one of the worst nightmares of every pet owner is on the horizon: Flea & Tick Season.

Even if your pets are kept inside 100% of the time, as we start opening our homes, fleas and ticks can still make it inside and on our pets. When your cat sits in an open window, if there are plants close enough to touch the screen, she can get ticks. As we begin working in our yards and being more active outside, we can transport these annoying and dangerous pests into our homes as well.

Preventing Flea & Tick Infestations

Preventing an infestation is better than any treatment available once your pet has become a host. There are a number of tricks to keep your pet from getting infested:

1. Topical Treatments. One of the best ways of preventing a flea infestation is the topical flea control from Advantage, available from most pet supply companies. This is a topical treatment, usually applied once a month that helps keeps fleas and ticks from taking home.
2. Collars. Next to topical treatments, flea and tick collars are also effective for keeping your animal clear. Simple to use, these avoid the mess that can accompany topical treatments, but for some animals they can become an annoyance by being another thing around their neck (next to their normal collar.
3. Regular Grooming. Regular grooming is imperative for catching the onset of either fleas or ticks. This grooming schedule should include both bathing as well as brushing. As you brush, be observant of any abnormalities on your pet, whether it's scabs, bumps, or the fleas or ticks themselves. Using a professional groomer ensures someone who knows what to look for is helping care for your pet.

The key to remember when it comes to flea and tick season is to keep on the maintenance schedule for prevention and take quick action if you discover these parasites.