When the weather begins to warm up in the spring and the bugs start to appear, pet owners everywhere rush out to buy all the collars, lotions, and medications they need for flea and tick control. That’s a good thing because it shows that awareness of the health risks posed by these dangerous parasites is high and widespread. The problem is, when the weather begins to get cold again, most pet owners think the risk is over and stop using preventive measures, and that can be a big mistake. Ticks and fleas are very hardy creatures and they find ways to survive even during the winter months, continuing to pose a health hazard to your pet. The Cat Clinic of Johnson County in Lenexa, KS, wants you to know that year-round flea and tick control is the most effective way to keep your pet safe and we have several affordable preventative options available to keep these pests away.
An All-Season Need For Flea And Tick Control
Fleas, ticks, and other insect parasites are at their most active during the warmer months, but they don’t completely disappear in the winter. They are capable of surviving in very cold temperatures, and above-average temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns often allow them to stay active later in the season or appear earlier the next year. Additionally, sprawling metro areas and suburbs create heat traps over large areas, providing survivable conditions for ticks and fleas. Also, if you take your pet along on a winter vacation to a warmer region, your pet can be exposed to them there and possibly bring them back home with you. Year-round flea and tick control is the only way to keep your pet completely safe.
Health Risks From Fleas And Ticks
- Fleas – These diminutive blood-sucking insects can cause harm to your pet far out of proportion to their size. They can carry tapeworm and cat scratch disease and also cause allergic reactions, anemia, and various skin infections.
- Ticks – Lurking in the grass and under your pet’s fur, these insects can transmit several dangerous diseases including Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, Tularemia, and more.
Cold weather is not fool-proof protection from these insects and the diseases they carry. The only way to protect your pet is with safe and affordable year-round prevention.
Contact the Cat Clinic of Johnson County in Lenexa, KS to learn more about our flea and tick control options.
