Fleas and ticks can cause considerable health problems for your dog or cat, which is why it’s important to use flea and tick preventatives for pets.

While you may think you should only use flea and tick medication when you need to get rid of fleas on your dog or cat, the reality is that they should be used all year round. There are several reasons why flea and tick preventatives are beneficial, even when your pet does not appear to be suffering from an infestation.

Fleas and ticks are active all year round

It is true that fleas are at their most active when the environment is warm and moist, which explains their heightened activity in summer. However, your pet can just as easily catch fleas in the winter since the cold weather only slows down their rate of growth, not completely eliminate it.

While ticks also tend to thrive in late summer and early fall, they can become active at temperature over 40 degrees. This means they can harm your pets in winter as well.

Your cozy house and the warm bodies of your pets—who are more often indoors in winter—will not only increase the likelihood of your cat or dog being infested with fleas and ticks but your home as well.

Preventing fleas on dogs and cats

Fleas are extremely difficult to spot and kill, so it is too late by the time you spot fleas jumping around your pet or house, as it means a full-blown infestation has occurred. It takes a lot of effort to get rid of fleas in the house and the yard when they infest your pet and home, so you want to prevent that as best as possible.

Flea and tick preventatives such as Bravecto, Nexgard and Revolution are designed to be used at least monthly. When administered according to the direction on the packet, your pet will remain flea- and tick-free all year round, avoiding the need to address a full-blown infestation.

Bravecto Chews

NexGard Chewables

Revolution

Preventing tapeworms in cats and dogs

An effective flea and tick preventative will also help your pet avoid catching tapeworms. Fleas often carry tapeworms, which can be passed on to your cat or dog. Tapeworms not only give your pet an itchy rear, but they will also absorb vital nutrients from your pet, causing them to lose weight.

If you do need to get rid of tapeworms in your pet, use Sentinel Spectrum for dogs or Drontal for cats and dogs.

Sentinel Spectrum