Fleas and Other Parasites

Credit to Novartis Animal Health US, Inc.

Fighting Fleas

A few fleas can quickly become a full blown infestation which can be irritating and costly. The best way to fight a flea population is to make sure that it never occurs. Here are some tips:

• If you're using a flea preventive, use it year-round. Weather patterns are unpredictable, and flea season can start before you're ready. Under the right conditions, fleas can survive and even reproduce indoors during the winter. Don't give fleas even the smallest gap - use a flea preventive every month.
• All pets in your house should be treated for fleas. If you have more than one pet, treat them ALL for fleas. Fleas can reproduce and thrive on an untreated pet, undermining your efforts of treating your other pets.
• Be aware of pesticides. If you should choose to use a pesticide, carefully read all labels - ¬especially if you have small children. Strictly adhere to the recommended guidelines to minimize the risks to your pet, your family and the environment.
• An ounce of prevention. The best way to deal with a flea problem is before you have one, and the best time to use flea control is before you see fleas. It takes much less effort to prevent flea populations than it does to get rid of them.

Problematic Parasites

A common misconception is that fleas and other parasites are not a problem in the winter. This is not the case. The fact is your pets may be exposed to parasites more often than you think in the winter. Here's why:

• The onset of mosquito or flea season is impossible to predict.
• Midwinter warm spells can produce ideal conditions for fleas to emerge.
• Under the right environmental conditions, fleas can survive, and even reproduce, indoors during the winter.
• Whipworm and roundworm eggs are extremely resilient, surviving in the soil in the coldest conditions.

Your pets should be protected from parasites year-round - even in the winter. As winter continues, enjoy all that the season brings. Just be sure your pet enjoys it as well.