Surviving Fleas and Ticks All Year Long

Surviving Fleas and Ticks All Year Long

Fleas are a Nuisance

Did you know that fleas are the #1 parasite found on dogs and cats? Fleas are found all over the United States and most pets will get them at some point in their lives. And once a flea makes itself at home on your pet, it will not leave.

And here's the really icky part... the fleas found on your pets are only 5% of the fleas in your home. ONLY 5%!! And fleas bring all sorts of problems with them like dermatitis from allergic reactions, hair loss, blood loss, anxiety, and tapeworms. 

small white dog in garden peeking out from behind a clay pot

 

FLEAS CAN MULTIPLY FROM 10 TO 250,000 IN ONE MONTH...YIKES!

Ticks Carry Disease

Ticks are the #1 carrier of diseases for dogs. Most pets will get a tick at some point, especially if you like to go for walks in nature. They are found all over the US. Not only will they hitch a ride with your pet, they are quite happy to ride along with you too. Ewww...

What kinds of diseases do ticks carry? You've likely heard of Lyme Disease. They also spread Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Bobcat Fever in cats as well as skin infections, anemia, and paralysis. You should definitely worry about ticks too.

So how do you protect your pets from fleas and ticks?

Just remember the word "FLEA"  

Here is our handy infographic to help you remember how to battle fleas and ticks. 

flea and tick survival quick guide infographic at Scollar Personalized Pet Care

FORECAST

You might think that you only need to focus on flea prevention in the Spring & Summer when the weather is warm. It may surprise you to know that flea infestations can happen at any time. If your pet has fleas in their fur, you can be sure that there are already fleas settling into your home, your carpets, bedding, and yard. Gulp...

The great news is that you can actually forecast flea outbreaks before they happen! Scollar uses your zip code and our AI driven flea/tick outbreak engine to inform you about upcoming flea outbreaks. That way you can protect your pets before blood sucking, disease carrying fleas invade your home. What a relief!

LOOK

How do you know if your pets have fleas?  You have to look all around your home to find out. Check your pets (instructions below) as well as your beds, and your carpets, and your rugs, and your yard. Another place you can look is your own body. If you are finding little itchy bites on your ankles, it's likely fleas.

Another thing to look for on your pets is flea feces. Yep... flea poop. If you see what looks like black pepper flakes on your pet's skin, that is likely flea poop. And because fleas cause pets to scratch, you can also look for red, irritated hot spots. Cats usually have crusts or scabs where they scratch at fleas in their fur.

 

small white dog laying on couch getting belly rub

EDUCATE

We have assembled a starter list of resources to help you deal with fleas and ticks. Start your educational journey with your veterinarian, who is an expert on the bugs themselves and ways to treat them. Search online for resources to learn about diseases fleas and ticks bring with them.

Write down a list of questions you need answered, like how to get a tick off your pet, and what type of products are available for pets, like topicals, pills and collars. And always read the instructions on the box so you know how to keep yourself, your kids, and your other pets safe when using treatments.

ACT

Now that you know how important it is to stay one step ahead of flea and tick outbreaks, how do you decide what treatment you should use? Even more important, once you choose a treatment, how do you safely apply it? Consult with your veterinarian about products they recommend and the right way to use them.

Life is also chaotic and busy and it's easy to forget this last, most important step. Find a way to make things easier for yourself by finding tools that educate you AND remind you to follow through. Did you know that the Scollar app and personalized marketplace handle the Forecast and Act parts of the process? Cool, right?

Ask An Expert Interview with Dr. Zachary Miller

We spent some quality time with veterinarian, Dr. Zachary Miller, who shared his expert tips about fleas, ticks, and keeping you and your furry family safe and healthy.  

BE YOUR PET'S HERO! STAY IN FRONT OF FLEAS & TICKS WITH THE SCOLLAR APP. 

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